When I was a kid, I had a Rubik’s Cube. This mind-boggling puzzle required numerous twists and turns in an effort to get all nine tiles the same color for six different colors. I can remember how my best efforts could only get two sides the same color. The more I twisted that cube, the more frustrated I became. I even got to the point of giving up in my quest to be a Rubik’s Cube solver. That is, until my father bought me a book on how to solve it. Even with the book, I had to carefully twist the parts of the cube in the right ways just to get the puzzle fully completed.
In John 21:1 – 14 (NKJV), we read about Peter and his fishing buddies as they attempt to catch some food at the Sea of Tiberias. (Jesus had risen from the dead and had presented Himself to the disciples a couple of times before.) That night, Peter and some of Jesus’s disciples catch no fish, and it appears that they would come up empty the next morning. But, then Jesus appears on the scene and asks a thought-provoking question, “Children, have you any food?” (v. 5)
The answer is obvious. No, the disciples did not have any food. So, why was Jesus asking this question? When the disciples respond that they have no food, Jesus commands them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. When they do, they catch so many fish that they are unable to draw the net in.
Finally, John recognizes Jesus and declares, “It is the Lord!” (v. 8) As the other disciples begin dragging the net full of fish onto the shore, Jesus invites them to join Him for breakfast. After much struggle, Simon Peter finishes dragging the net of fish on the land. In all, there are 153 fish, and amazingly, the net does not break. After this, the other disciples recognize Jesus and engage in a hearty breakfast of fish and bread.
The point of this account is relatively simple. After being unable to catch any fish the night before, Peter and his fishing pals could have easily given up. But, when Jesus came on the scene and told the disciples to place the net on the right side of the boat, an abundance of fish was caught. Indeed, Jesus made the difference. Jesus still makes the difference in our walk of faith today. In it, there are challenges that might cause us to want to give up. But, let me encourage us (I’m also speaking to myself), “Do not give up in your walk of faith!”
Remember that Jesus did not give up in His goal of dying on the cross for our sins. He knew that His Father (God) would raise Him from the dead to give us all hope of eternal life. Since we chose to believe in Jesus, we have been saved by God’s grace. That should encourage us to never give up even when we feel like quitting in “the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, KJV). God bless you as you live the blessed Christian life that Jesus meant for you to have.
In John 21:1 – 14 (NKJV), we read about Peter and his fishing buddies as they attempt to catch some food at the Sea of Tiberias. (Jesus had risen from the dead and had presented Himself to the disciples a couple of times before.) That night, Peter and some of Jesus’s disciples catch no fish, and it appears that they would come up empty the next morning. But, then Jesus appears on the scene and asks a thought-provoking question, “Children, have you any food?” (v. 5)
The answer is obvious. No, the disciples did not have any food. So, why was Jesus asking this question? When the disciples respond that they have no food, Jesus commands them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. When they do, they catch so many fish that they are unable to draw the net in.
Finally, John recognizes Jesus and declares, “It is the Lord!” (v. 8) As the other disciples begin dragging the net full of fish onto the shore, Jesus invites them to join Him for breakfast. After much struggle, Simon Peter finishes dragging the net of fish on the land. In all, there are 153 fish, and amazingly, the net does not break. After this, the other disciples recognize Jesus and engage in a hearty breakfast of fish and bread.
The point of this account is relatively simple. After being unable to catch any fish the night before, Peter and his fishing pals could have easily given up. But, when Jesus came on the scene and told the disciples to place the net on the right side of the boat, an abundance of fish was caught. Indeed, Jesus made the difference. Jesus still makes the difference in our walk of faith today. In it, there are challenges that might cause us to want to give up. But, let me encourage us (I’m also speaking to myself), “Do not give up in your walk of faith!”
Remember that Jesus did not give up in His goal of dying on the cross for our sins. He knew that His Father (God) would raise Him from the dead to give us all hope of eternal life. Since we chose to believe in Jesus, we have been saved by God’s grace. That should encourage us to never give up even when we feel like quitting in “the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1, KJV). God bless you as you live the blessed Christian life that Jesus meant for you to have.
