“Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ ‘We’ll come, too,’ they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.”
John 21:3 (NLT)
There are two miracle catches of fish in the Gospels. The first one happens at the beginning of the disciples’ journey. Jesus calls them out of their fishing business and into ministry. He tells them to follow Him—and they do.
This second catch happens after the resurrection.
Jesus had already appeared to them twice. He had shown them His wounds. He had spoken peace over their fear. He had breathed Holy Spirit on them and commissioned them to preach forgiveness. And He had told them clearly to wait in the city—for power from heaven.
But now Peter says, “I’m going fishing.” And the others go with him. People follow good leaders into bad decisions when leaders move apart from God.
They return to something familiar. Something they used to be good at. Something that once made sense. And all night long, they catch nothing. There is no blessing on returning to what Jesus already told them to leave.
Then Jesus shows up.
He doesn’t correct them first. He doesn’t lecture them. He simply gives them a direction. Throw the net on the other side. They don’t recognize Him yet, but they obey this instruction. And suddenly the net is full.
Here’s what stands out to me today: Jesus met them in their disobedience. He provided another miracle—not to excuse it, but to restore their calling. He doesn’t shame them for going back. He gently draws them forward. He reminds them who they are by inviting them to listen again.
If your decisions have drawn you or others away from their calling, I pray you will repent and return to waiting on Him. Jesus is always ready to draw us closer. We just need to listen. He’s already waiting with breakfast for us on the shore.