Facing Disappointment: John 21:1-14
Focus Passage: John 21:1-14 (NIV)
When reading the last portion of John’s gospel, and specifically the event where the disciples go out fishing, we can find an interesting picture of how God often shows up to work miracles. The way this event happened probably was not the way the disciples would have wanted it to go, but it was the best way for it to have gone looking back on it.
The event begins in the evening, and several of the disciples decide to join Peter who had just gotten the urge to go fishing. Perhaps Peter has doubts on whether or not Jesus would appear to them or whether Jesus would even accept Him back after his denials just weeks (maybe even days) before. Or Peter may have just been filling time while waiting for Jesus to arrive.
Whatever the reason, the disciples push out into the lake to catch fish – but their night could only be classified as unsuccessful: No fish and no Jesus showing up with them on the lake. It is not a stretch to imagine these disciples were feeling just a little disappointed.
In our own lives, often we face periods of disappointment, and times when things keep turning up empty. These times we may feel as though God has abandoned us or that He is not interested. But this is not the reason for the empty night at all.
When the sun started peaking up over the horizon, the disciples spot a person on the shore, and this person tells them to throw their nets on the other side of the boat after learning that they had caught nothing. While this sounds like a ridiculous request, the disciples obey, and they land the biggest catch they could have imagined.
It often is only after the periods of disappointment that we are truly ready to receive God’s blessing. This is not God making up for lost time with a gift of interest, but a growing experience for all those present.
If the disciples had caught fish during the night, they would have attributed their catch with their own fishing ability, but the only possible conclusion we can reach following this event is that God provided the fish. In a subtle way, Jesus says to these disciples that even if they chose to go back to a life of fishing, they will only be successful if He is with them. In a similar way, regardless of what we choose to do in life, the only way we can truly be successful in the roles we choose is if Jesus/God allows it.
The growth that comes is a growth that teaches us our need to depend on God. We often are tempted to depend on our own ability, but eventually, our abilities will fail us and we will need outside help.
God wants to help us and to bless us, but He doesn’t want His blessings to pull us away from Him. God wants to bless us in extravagant ways, but He doesn’t want His gifts to affect our relationship with Him. Too often, this is only learned after we face times of disappointment that can remind us of our need.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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