Can You Move 153 Fish?

Peter stumbled onto the shore. His hands and knees stung from where small rocks and sand had cut into him. He blinked rapidly to remove the water from his eyes.

Where was he?

There!

Standing, he started running to Jesus. Then like a child running to their father, he threw his arms around him. Even though this wasn't the first time Peter had seen Jesus since his death, this was the first moment he'd gotten alone with Jesus.

The sound of wood scrapping against sand and rocks filled his ears. Moment over. The other disciples filed in around Jesus, talking and trying to hug him as well. Jesus gave out warm hugs, and led the group towards a fire he had started. There was already some fish roasting on the fire, as well as some bread laid out! Where had he gotten all that?

Peter didn't have time to dwell on the question. Jesus turned to look at him, while speaking to the group at large. "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."

He shot towards the boat. The net was overflowing with fish! There had to be over a hundred! Several fish were flopping on the very top. He could grab those...

Instead, Peter gathered two fistfuls of the net in each hand...and started pulling. He pulled and tugged, and was surprised to find the net moving rather easily. His blood pumped through his veins. He was doing it! How was he doing this?

But Peter knew how. It was because of him. It was because of Jesus. He could do anything because of Jesus.

Based on John 21:9-11

"When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.' So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn." John 21:9-11

So I've been mulling over these few seemingly unimportant verses for a few days. I just couldn't get them out of my mind, and now all this stuff is popping out at me! Don't be surprised if we are here for a while... ;)

I've been chewing over the significance of "the net was not torn." Why should that resonate within me like it's something important?

It is important. Besides being awesomely cool (I mean, seriously! He dragged a net overflowing with a 153 fish, and it didn't break!), it's an awesome reminder of something so simple.

But something we don't fully understand.

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Yeah, we all know this verse. It's probably one we have memorized. You probably even remember the reference! It's one that's drilled into our heads all... the... time.

But man, does it apply to me?

PETER DRAGGED A NET OF 153 FISH SIMPLY BECAUSE JESUS ASKED SOMEONE TO BRING OVER SOME MORE FISH!!! That's not normal. That's not easy. It seems so simple, but it was something he couldn't have done without Jesus' words giving him the ability to do it.

So guys, remember that Jesus/God/Holy Spirit has already equipped you to do awesome stuff! He has given you the strength, and there isn't nothing you can't do! We are super heroes in Him!

V. Joy Palmer