JUNE 28, John 21:3-6

In Jesus’ time, the Sea of Galilee was the main fishing ground. It was teeming with fish. Its shores were dotted with tiny villages as well as large towns like Capernaum. It is actually a large lake, and residents made their living from the catch of the lake.

Fishermen rowed their boats out and cast their nets over shoals of fish in the deep waters. Nets were circular and about 5 metres in diameter. Weights around the edges would drag the net down to the seabed, trapping the fish below. It was then pulled into shallow waters and hauled up the boat. Then they would sort out the fish and throw those without scales away. Fishes without scales were forbidden food under Jewish law. The fishermen’s work included cleaning and selling of fish, as well as mending of their nets. They were doing just that when Jesus called them.

The Bible said that after Jesus’ death, the disciples sadly returned to fishing. Fishing was their only occupation. But that whole night, these experienced fishermen caught nothing. In the morning, the risen Jesus suddenly appeared and instructed them to cast their net on the right side of their ship. Though they could not yet recognise their Master, they obeyed and caught 153 fishes. Their catch could have broken the net and yet it did not! However, they did have difficulty hauling the fishes onto the boat.

How amazing! Jesus knew exactly where the fishes were swimming. He could even make the fishes swim into the net. Jesus was training the fishermen to be ‘fishers of men’. They were learning to trust and obey Jesus every step of the way.

Colour the fish that are swimming in the right direction.

Thought: Our God is in control of everything. We must trust and obey Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to trust You more. I thank You for the lesson today, that even fishes obey Your instructions. May I be an obedient child of God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.