Provision that Precedes Need

I have been captivated by a little section of the narrative in John’s gospel. Chapter 21 includes the testimony of Jesus manifesting Himself on the shore and providing His disciples with a miraculous catch of fish. This takes place after the death and resurrection of Jesus and, in John’s record, it is the final time they saw Him before He ascended into heaven.

John tells us that a group of the disciples had gone out fishing and, while they fished all night long, they had caught not one fish. At dawn, as they are coming in, they see a man on the shore and he calls to them. John clarifies at this point that they did not yet know that the man was Jesus. The man’s words point out that they have been unsuccessful; “you do not have any fish, do you?” John 21:5. The disciples confirm that they have caught nothing. The man instructs them to put the net out once more on the right-hand side of the boat. He promises that if they do, they will find a catch. The disciples obey and haul in a net full of fish.  

The disciples then continue to come in to shore and John describes the interaction they have with Jesus. By the time they get to shore, John tells us that they are convinced that it is Jesus. They recognized Him by His power! He knew they had caught no fish, even while they were still out in the sea. He instructed them to cast once more, promising a catch if they did. They obey and sure enough there are so many fish, the disciples can’t bring the net into their boat. John tells us that Jesus was standing near a fire He had made, with fish and bread waiting. He then asks them to bring some of the fish that they caught and invites them to breakfast.

What catches my attention, is that Jesus had anticipated the disciples’ need. He was on the shore waiting for them, even before they recognized Him. He had fish prepared and cooking even before He pointed out that they had caught nothing. He instructs them to catch fish and then asks them to contribute to the meal they could share, but His preparation had begun long before they were even aware of Him.

In this short little narrative of interaction between Jesus and a group of His disciples, there are several truths we can pull out and apply to our lives. When I discover truths about God in scripture, I am in the practice of turning those truths into personal declaration statements. Here are the truths and declarations I pull from John 21:1-14

·       Jesus sees when we are in need. He knows when we are unsuccessful or struggling.  He cares!

o   Jesus sees and cares about me.

·       Jesus will make Himself visible in those times and places in our lives. The word John uses when he writes that Jesus “manifested” Himself, literally means “to make visible”. Jesus made Himself visible to His disciples when they needed Him. I believe that faith is required to see God and His work, but I also believe that God is eager to reveal Himself.

o   Jesus is faithful to reveal Himself to me again and again.

·       The provision of God precedes our need.  Jesus had a plan for how He would meet the needs of the disciples in advance. He was already executing His plan, even before the disciples knew that Jesus was aware of their need.

o   Jesus is aware of my needs, even before I pray about them.

·       Jesus provides for us with abundance! The fish the disciples caught was more than what they could consume. It was enough to be a resource to them for the next days/weeks. They could preserve or sell these fish.

o   Jesus provides abundantly for me.

·       Jesus had fish cooking on the fire before the disciples made it to shore, but he also asked the disciples to contribute to the meal they would share. If Jesus had fish already on the fire, couldn’t He have had enough for all of them? I think Jesus welcomes and desires our contribution and participation. He is not looking to do it all for us. Here Jesus provided some fish in advance. He also provided a miraculously abundant catch of fish for the disciples. But they caught them and hauled them in. Jesus asked them to contribute and together they all enjoyed the breakfast of fish and bread on the shore.

o   Jesus asks for and values my contribution, even in His provision for me.

The context of this breakfast shared between Jesus and a group of His disciples is of particular interest and significance to me. A few of the disciples were fishermen by trade. Jesus called them from that profession to follow Him and become His disciples. Peter, James and John were among those who were formerly fishermen. In this passage they are completely unsuccessful at something they were skilled in doing. Jesus showed up in a powerful way on the shore in the midst of their need and failure. He showed off His power in a way that turned the outcome of that fishing trip around in a tremendous way. The interactions that follow between Peter and Jesus and then with the two of them and John are equally meaningful. Jesus demonstrates His love and care for His disciples. He also shows how He is calling and equipping them for what is to come, for their roles in spreading the gospel and caring for new disciples. Jesus emphasizes the love and devotion that connects them to Him. He is tender and loving, but also firm in His command that their focus and trust be in Him.

 

·       My prayer for you:

May Jesus reveal Himself to you again and again. Especially, may He show up in power in the times of your failing and need. He provides for you because of who He is and because He loves you. May you experience His abundance as well as His invitation for you to make valuable contributions to what He is doing in and through you. I pray that you are as convinced as the disciple John was that Jesus loves you. May your focus be on Him as He calls you to follow Him.