On our recent trip to the Holy Land, we spent a lot of time on and around the Sea of Galilee. On one of our excursions, we sat on the shore as Pastor Stan Allcorn brought a devotional about the time Jesus appeared to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:
Several of Jesus' disciples were gathered beside the Sea of Galilee. The group included Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, and James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
Suddenly, Peter said, "I'm going fishing."
"We'll come too," the others said. So they got in the boat and they fished all night, but caught nothing."
As the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn't make out who it was. Jesus called out to them, "Friends, have you caught any fish?"
"Not a thing," they called back.
"Throw your nets on the right-hand side of the boat and you'll catch some!"
Did they do it? Yes they did! Did they catch any fish? They caught so many fish that they couldn't even pull the net into the boat!
Then the disciple that Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Peter heard that, he jumped into the water and headed for shore. The others stayed with the boat and dragged the loaded net to the shore. When they got there, they found Jesus cooking breakfast — fish over a charcoal fire and some bread.
"Bring some of the fish you've just caught," Jesus said. Peter dragged the net to the shore and there were 153 large fish. "Now, come and have some breakfast," Jesus said. Then Jesus served them fish and bread.
It just doesn't get any better than that. Breakfast on the beach with the risen Lord! What would have happened if the disciples had refused to throw their nets on the right-hand side of the boat? They would have missed out on a wonderful breakfast on the beach with Jesus. What happens when you and I refuse to do the things Jesus has called us to do? We miss out on the wonderful blessings that he wants for us!
