Two Fishing Trips: Something to think about

 Scripture tells us of two fishing trips; one can be found in Luke 5:4-7 and the other in John 21:3-11.

On the first fishing trip, Peter and the other disciples, after having been on the water all night had caught nothing. Now tired and despondent, Jesus tells them to try again but this time launch out into deep water and let down the nets everywhere to catch “a great multitude of fishes”.

The narrative goes on to tell us that the haul was so great that “nets were breaking” and boats “began to sink”. As you know, Peter and the others were career fishermen, they knew how to fish, so what was Jesus doing?

Jesus was showing them, in a very meaningful way, what they were to become, “fishers of men”, in other words, instead of catching fish they would be catching people.

Jesus told Simon. "From now on you will be catching people!" – Luke 5:10 (HCSB)

What happened on this first fishing trip caused such an impact that immediately thereafter, the disciples left what they were doing and followed Jesus (see verse 11).

We too are being told to venture into the deep to fish for people everywhere. No specific location has been given, rather we are to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15-16) so long as time exists.

Notice that Luke, in his account of this first trip, has given us something to think about – he was very careful to let us know that this gathering of an untold endless number of “fish” from everywhere will cause nets to break and boats to sink. Luke is telling us that adverse consequences come with catching so many fish, but Jesus tells us, “Don’t be afraid” (verse 10).

photographed by O'Reilly Lewis

The second fishing trip occurs between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension. Yet again, after an all-night-no-fish session, Jesus, standing on the beach at daybreak unrecognizable, tells Peter and the disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and yet again a multitude of fish were caught.

In this account we are told that the number of fish was 153, and there was neither breaking of nets nor sinking of boats.

Jesus was very specific with His directions to the disciples this time round, instead of casting their nets everywhere, they were told to cast their nets on the right. This is reminiscent of Matthew 25:33.

“He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left.” (HCSB)

We’re told that when Jesus returns for the redeemed, those on the right side would inherit the Kingdom (see Matthew 25:32-34).

Notice that John, in his account of this second trip, has given us something to think about – he was very careful to let us know that there is a specific number of fish on a specific side of the boat, the right side.

 Jesus wants us to be specifically identified as being on the right side, in fellowship with Him and other believers. He wants us to not be afraid to launch out into deeper waters.

Beloved, today, you’ve been given something to think about.

 

(see also the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds Matthew 13:24-30 & the Parable of the Net Matthew 13:47-50)

 

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Two Fishing Trips: Something to think about” © 2016 revisited July 4, 2025