“They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3)
It was Peter who said, “I am going fishing.” He was with a group of fellow disciples of Jesus. This time there were seven of them.
The Lord Jesus had appeared to them twice, after He had risen from the dead. Still full of all that had happened recently, they sought each other’s company. They had no clear goal and were waiting for things to come.
But inaction was not an option. They were at the Sea of Tiberias, their boats and nets ready for use. The choice was quickly made. “We will go with you, Peter,” the others said. They immediately boarded the ship; and that night they caught nothing. What a disappointment, working hard all night, and not one fish caught!
No doubt the disciples thought about that other time, when they were just starting to follow Jesus. The situation was the same. But then, Jesus came on board and everything changed. The result was an astonishing catch of fish. See Luke 5. This miracle prompted the disciples to leave everything behind to follow Jesus. From then on, they would fish for people.
What do you think of when you hear the term: ‘fishing for people’?