The Miracle of the Full Nets

In John 21, we see the disciples fishing all night and catching nothing. They were exhausted and discouraged. When Jesus appeared on the shore, they did not yet recognize him. Little did they know that the miracle of the full nets was about to happen.

Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and though they did not yet know it was Jesus who spoke, they obeyed. As they pulled the net back into the boat, they found it was full of fish. In fact, it was so heavy that they could not lift it into the boat on their own.

Peter and the disciples had been fishing from a place of anxiety and worry about their future. God doesn’t want you to be anxious or worried about what may or may not happen to you. Peter had anxiety and fear, but we must understand that fear is false faith. True faith believes the best, while fear thinks the worst. Fear undermines faith and corrupts our vision. It causes us to believe in the worst possible future. Fear leads to pessimism and cynicism, causing us to run around like Chicken Little, believing that the sky is falling when it isn’t. Fear brings cursing, but faith brings blessing. Yeshua came for us to have victory and conquer the fears that can drag us down.

Reflect

What does it look like to operate out of faith rather than fear? At what moments in my life has God provided for me when I could not?

Prayer

Thank you, God, for strength and salvation. Remind me when necessary to believe that you are for me and want a bright future for me.

Interested in learning more about Jesus' miracles? Signs and Secrets of the Messiah, the new book from Rabbi Jason Sobel, explores every miracle and mystery disclosed in the gospel of John, which includes many of Yeshua's miracles on earth. Check it out for more.