How do we stay strong in keeping faith when we have done everything in our power to fill our empty nets? How do we see Jesus when all seems hopeless? How do we hold on to the vision when everything causes us to question if we are really doing His will?

Jesus told us to cast our nets, so why are we coming up empty? First of all we must understand Jesus is our Savior, Father and Teacher. Jesus is always establishing relationship, heart and faith. Before He fills the nets of your work, He will fill the net of your heart and spirit, which is in more need then the physical net.

John 21 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.^[a] It happened this way: ²Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus^[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

⁵He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

⁶He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

⁷Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.^[c] ⁹When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

¹⁰Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹²Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Notice Jesus left them alone for a time, He allowed them to exhaust all their efforts before He showed up and then He didn’t reveal Himself. The men did not recognize Him. Can you see spiritually what Jesus is doing? Are the men doing anything wrong by casting their nets? Why then can they not see Him? Unfortunately we get caught in what we are trying to accomplish and lose focus of Christ.

The reason they couldn’t see Him is they lost focus. He called out to them at that point, which He could be doing with you right now. He then gave them direction. It wasn’t until the change of course and their interaction with Him that led to the nets to be filled. Jesus was teaching them. He allowed them to do it in their own strength for a period. It wasn’t until after that, He spoke to them and they were able to see Him for who He was. Also see their persistence, the bible said they fished all night. He blessed them for their persistence, but not until He filled their hearts and spirit.

God says to seek wisdom as if it were riches. Wisdom is to know Christ. He wants you to know Him fully, trust Him fully and for you to have the faith to move mountains. He tests us for the kingdom purposes. Believe in Him, Hope in Him and remain in Him. Put your focus back on Him and your nets will be filled. After they ate the fish, Jesus restored Peter, remember? Peter do you love me? Then feed my sheep. Peter now had something to feed them, a powerful, loving, trustworthy, faithful, forgiving relationship.

May Christ fill your nets and bless you beyond your dreams. Put your focus in Him. God bless you.

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