Thoughts on the Gospel of John (214) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, Children, have you any food? They answered Him, No. And He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
John 21:4–6

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (214)
Seven men, including at least three experienced fishermen, set out to fish. The result: “That night they caught nothing.” Suddenly Jesus is standing on the shore. In the dawn light, the disciples cannot recognise Him. Certainly, they hadn’t expected Him to be there.

This scene can be well applied to our lives: We know times when our lives resemble a fruitless night. We lack perspective and so we toil and come back empty-handed. But the One we didn’t include in our plans sees us “rowing”. He is very close by, standing “on the shore” and waiting for us: our Lord. But we do not recognise Him because we do not expect Him. We are busy with many things and forget that we need Jesus.

“Children,” the Lord Jesus asks His disciples, “have you any food?” Once again, how caring He shows Himself to be towards His own! But His question also requires the disciples to admit that their efforts have been in vain, even though they are experienced fishermen.

Do the disciples now suspect that it is the Lord who instructs them to fish on the other side? We don’t know. But they take His advice and experience a great miracle.

Let us draw the right conclusion for ourselves today: a blessed life of faith cannot be measured by visible success but by obedience to the word of the Lord.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 · Mark 5:15-20