December 30, 2010
THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE? SURELY YOU MEAN THE LEFT SIDE, RIGHT, LORD?
John 21:1-14
Dee Elliott
Central Truth
God's ways seem unconventional and counterintuitive at times, but His holy instruction serves His will and our transformation to be more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Key Verse | John 21:6
And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. (John 21:6, emphasis added)
John 21:1-14
Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards 1 21:8 Greek two hundred cubits; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters off.
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 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. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Dive Deeper | John 21:1-14
God's unconventional ways are striking, beginning in the Beginning (John 1:1, Genesis 1:1). The first six days of creation; man in His image; a woman from a rib; the Flood; and Jesus' walk as a man, including His numerous miracles—all were unconventional, but so Godlike.
Only a few days after the Resurrection (John 20), Jesus hit the beach at Galilee and found Peter and six other disciples fishing. In the discourse Jesus told Peter to throw his nets over the right-hand side of the boat. Why was this so odd?
It derives from the fact that before boats had rudders in their center, they were steered by an oar in the stern that was usually attached to the right side of the boat (hence the term starboard from the location of the "steering board"). As a result, ships docking to a pier would tie up with their left side to the pier (hence the "port" side of the boat). Peter would have wanted to protect his nets, and as a result would have always fished from the port side, never from the starboard side where the nets could become fouled in the steering board and torn.
So Jesus' instruction was not only unconventional, it was foolish in Peter's understanding. Yet, he trusted and obeyed, and they caught so many fish they literally had to drag the net a football field's length to shore. Talk about blessing!
So, when God shows up every day, and I hear the Holy Spirit's prompting, why does it even occur to me to delay or deny God's leading and intended blessing? I think, "But LORD, that's so unconventional—to reconcile; to love; to be patient, kind, gentle, understanding, and self-controlled." (Galatians 5:22-23). Too often, I'd rather fish from the port side, protect my nets, and have my own way, until I recall that my old sinful nature loves to do evil—just the opposite of what the Holy Spirit wants (Galatians 5:17, 19-21).
That's when I'm called to do the unconventional: Have faith, trust, obey. And cast my nets over the starboard side.
Discussion Questions
1. How does God show up in your daily life when you least expect it? And why aren't you expecting it?
2. Where, how, and to what purpose do you look for the Holy Spirit to do the unconventional and direct you to cast your nets on the "wrong" side?
3. How does the term POSH connect with this devo, and what are you seeking in your daily sailing experience?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you remember what most of the disciples did before following Jesus?
2. The disciples could have trusted their own knowledge, but what did they do instead (verse 6)? What happened?
3. When have you trusted what you thought was right instead of what God would have you do? How did that work out for you? When we trust and obey Him, He will give us what we need.