Ice cold salmon swivels through the water by His aura. Schools of Mahi Mahi circle at His feet. Red snapper do cartwheels in the river rapids, leaping up into the air. Blue fin tuna swims from the depths of the indigo sea to see His face. Fish are drawn to Him. Everything is drawn to Him because He authors creation’s breath and vitality.

God knows where to fish. He knows where the best spot is every season. Every time of day, He finds the sweet spot. The blessed spot. The right spot. God possesses the right touch. His hands turn water into wine. Dirt into gold. Life from death.

“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” John 21:4-5

Jesus steps in to bring you the fish.

“He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.” John 21:6

God’s ways are always right. Always accurate. Always reliable. Always life-altering.

The disciples changed their way of fishing when Jesus showed up. Jesus’ advice led to a net-breaking miracle in exponential blessing. Jesus speaks blessing over you. Every word of His mouth sends a message that directs us to experience life in greater abundance.

Jesus rose to life on the other side of life: eternal life.

Jesus is always on the right side, and He leads us to ascend with Him where the satisfaction is.

When we surrender to do it God’s way, it will shake up the normalcy of our methods. Yet, it leads to a climactic resolution for all.

“He renews my life; He leads me along right paths for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3

God’s path for you is the right path.

Jesus teaches you how to fish.

Jesus shows you where to fish. Where to hunt. Where to find what you are looking for. You must fish on the right side of you want to haul in a catch. God’s side is where love waits for you.

Jesus knew the disciples needed Him now, especially since He had been absent for some time after His death and resurrection. Jesus notices the disciples’ work – work they went back to after seeing their Savior die. They had given up hope that Jesus was coming back for them. So, they went back to their old job of fishing.

In this story, Jesus approaches the disciples first. Instead of asking them why they went back to the old way, he blesses their current work and makes them catch fish they were not catching up until now. He shows them a new way by example. Jesus knows they had been wondering what to do in the meantime when Jesus was not around. They gave up their lives for Him, and now they face an existential crisis because of His death. But now that they have witnessed Jesus’ way giving them what they need, this gives them every reason to listen to Jesus’ next mission for their future. They are going to go and tell the rest of the world about him as Matthew 28:19-20 says.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Peter shows he is ready for this task by what he does when He sees Jesus coming close.

“That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.” John 21:7

Peter dives into the water rapidly, unable to contain His excitement that Jesus is there. While the fish filled up the nets to overflow, he dove into the mess to be with Jesus.

Peter knew what side He was on. The right side. Any side Jesus was on.

Get on Jesus’ side.

“The disciple whom Jesus loved” is the disciple named John, who also wrote this gospel. John knows the man approaching them is Jesus. John always knows. He had a deep connection with Jesus that told Him when Jesus was there. This is the disciple who received the holy revelation from God about the end times. He could see with spiritual vision. Thus, he tells everyone else emphatically. As he does, the other disciples are pulling in all the fish they caught right as Jesus told them to fish on the right side of the boat.

“The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.” John 21:8

right ways widen

When your strategy is no longer working, God steps in and shows us what does works because He wants us to receive what we need. Remember His love for you, beloved. His ways are always right.

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

Isaiah 55:12