[Jesus] called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. ––John 21:5-6

Peter had been out all night fishing, and caught nothing. If you’ve ever been skunked on a fishing trip, you know how frustrating it can be. Then Jesus tells him to head back out and try again. And keep in mind that there were seven men (disciples) on that boat: Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. And seven men together could not haul the catch of fish into the boat. That’s a lot of fish!

The scene is dripping with spiritual meaning for God’s men:

• While we can’t “pull in the nets” of salvation on our own, the Holy Spirit can.
• We need to first “get into the boat” and go fishing before we can actually catch anything.
• When we “fish for men” in our own gifts and abilities, results will be spotty. Remember, earlier Peter told Jesus that they’d fished all night and caught nothing.
• Don’t spiritually fish alone—Jesus wants us working together as the body of Christ to do the work of spreading the gospel.

The net must be drawn to catch a good haul of fish. Right now, God is taking all the relationships and connections he has placed in your life and putting that net to work.

See what I did there—your network is the Holy Spirit’s to use to reach souls. It is uniquely yours in the life you are living—in the place where you work, in the space where you play, and in the fellowships where you pray.

So, what is the Holy Spirit doing within you to impact these spaces right now?

Father, arrange my “net to work” so I can be a part of the harvest—I don’t want to stand on the shore or miss the boat!

 

 

Every Man Ministries