Seeking the Lost

John 21:3-7 ESV
“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” 

They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”  So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.  That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 

Explanation:
Peter was lost after denying he knew Jesus three times before His crucifixion. So, he did what many of us do when we mess up and we own it, he did something that brought him peace. For Peter, it was going fishing. But it did not bring him peace because after a full night of fishing, him and his fellow disciples caught nothing.

At day break, someone shouted out from the shore, “Children, do you have any fish?”  I laugh to think when the disciples answered in frustration they all answered in unison, “NO.” Then the voice called back, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” 

Now I can see the disciples all rolling their eyes, knowing they had expert fishermen on board, and this man thinks He knows better. But when the disciples pulled in the empty nets and then casts them on the other side of the boat, the jolt of fish pushing against the nets must have been exhilarating.

Putting things together, John probably recalled the man calling them “children,” and he had seen the miracle of catching fish before. He leaned over and told Peter, it is the Lord. That stirred up a lot of emotions in Peter, embarrassment, maybe fear of facing Jesus after denying him. But the greatest emotion in Peter caused him to jump from the boat and swim to shore to speak to the one he loved the most.

We lose our way sometimes. I have no doubt the Master comes and stands close beside us, calling out for us, wanting to help us back to where we are supposed to be. When that happens, go ahead, jump in and make your way back to Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you! Thank you for caring, for loving us, for seeking us out, especially when we get lost. In Your name Lord, Amen!