After Peter’s many experiences, it would seem as if he were now qualified for service. He went forth, followed by six other disciples, to fish in the Sea of Tiberias. What characterized this undertaking was that Peter took the initiative himself of setting to work to obtain the results of his labor. It was in vain, and the night waned before he and his companions had seen their efforts crowned with any success. Peter employed the same means as on a corresponding occasion, previous to his conversion. How often when God entrusts us with active service, we set about it like men in the flesh, and our work is barren. It is important to understand that in ministry, all, absolutely all, must be of God and nothing of man.
The Right Side
The scene changed as soon as Jesus stood on the shore; His presence ushered in the dawn of a day of blessing. His presence was what was most needed. As long as they had toiled without Him, their efforts were fruitless. It was daybreak when this scene took place. There is a special moment determined of God for service, and the disciples, unmindful of it, had lost their time during the whole night. They found the fish on the right side of the ship, in a special place known only to Jesus, and Peter had to trust to this knowledge before his activity could be crowned with success. The disciples cast their net at His word, having nothing else to depend on, and they captured 153 great fishes; their fishing in this place closed with a number determined and known only by the Lord. From this moment they had something else to do; they brought the result of their labor to Jesus (vs. 10). They did not fish for themselves or for others, but for the Lord alone.
Oh that our hearts might all learn this lesson! Does our life consist in one long night of human activity directed by the will of man, or is it like an aurora illuminated by the Lord’s presence? Do we see our nets filled because we work in dependence upon Him?
As to the food, Jesus stood on the shore and said, “Children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, No.” Doubtless they thought that this stranger, whom they had not yet recognized, was in need of food. But the question forced them to avow that until now all their labor had given nothing to Christ. Then came the words, “Cast the net.” It was as if He said to them, “If you would give Me something, you must receive it from Me.” From that moment John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, could no longer be mistaken, for to him the Lord was One who gave, and to whom nothing was given.
Labor
Here another point comes out; the disciples themselves had nothing to eat. Labor does not feed; it causes hunger. Even fruitful labor, a miraculous catch of fish, left the disciples a prey to hunger. How many souls there are in the present day of activity who remain barren in spite of their work, because they delude themselves as to the profit accruing to their spiritual life from their activity! It was not on the sea amid all the surrounding effort and agitation but on the shore where all was still that the disciples heard the Lord saying unto them, “Come and dine.” The meal was not initially prepared with fish taken from their net, but provided by the Lord Himself, who distributed it to them. They fed on the result of Christ’s work — what He alone had done for them.
May it be so with us, beloved. When we have brought the result of our service to the Lord that He may do as He thinks best with it, let us sit down, invited by Him to feed on Him in the retirement of the shore. Let us return to the holy Word which reveals Christ, not only for others, but above all for ourselves. Having eaten, Peter was led on a step farther in his service and enabled to feed the lambs and sheep of the Lord.
H. L. Rossier