Got nothing?
John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
The disciples world had been turned upside down. Christ had been crucified, risen from the dead, and He returned to encourage them multiple times. You know in their minds they had no idea of what the future held. They had to be overwhelmed by the events that had taken place since they had come to know Christ. They wondered what was next. I wonder if Peter just wanted to clear his mind; to return to what he knew well; to spend time fishing. It could have served many purposes including provisions of food, and money to sell what they caught. But it also could have served a means of escape from the pressures of life they felt on themselves.
Life can get to be overwhelming for us all. The pressures of life can seem to rob us of the joy of life. These times we live in have brought great strains on so many of us. If it were not for my faith, I cannot imagine where I would be. There are so many that find coping in medications, and sometimes it may be necessary. But when all else is lost, we can rest on the assurance of our hope found in Christ. Time alone with God and seeking God is where we find this hope and some of our answers. ‘Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. God was speaking specifically to Jeremiah, but it also applies to all of us as His children too. We are to go to Him in prayer and His Word when we don’t know where else to go. The Gospel of John is a great place to find Christ; and a great place for your eyes to be opened through your heart if you prayerfully ask God to reveal Himself as you spend time there.
This morning as I prayed, I told God “I got nothing”. I had no idea of what to write, so I did a word search of ‘got nothing’ and John 21:3 was the only scripture to appear. It reminded me of how quickly I tend to lean upon myself as Peter; the strong and prideful apostle. I need to rely on God for every day in every way. There is much depth in this scripture of John 21; of Christ’s appearance on the shore while the disciples where still out at sea. They were needy; they had caught nothing. Matthew Henry comments, “Those that would have supplies from Christ must own themselves empty and needy.” When you realize you have nothing without Christ, that first step in the denial of yourself is a huge step in your Christian growth. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
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