Day 24

We can do nothing significant without Christ.

‘So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.’ (John 21:11)

When Peter unloaded his net after the miraculous catch of fish, the net was filled with fish – 153 of them. It is interesting that this detail should be there. Some early church commentators suggested there were 153 species of fish. Others speculated there were 153 nations in the world. Other suggestions have been made as to the significance of the ‘153’, but I think its significance may be simpler.

Maybe they counted the fish, and there just happened to be 153! The message of the story was not about the number of fish caught, but that Jesus’ disciples, (some professional fishermen), had been fishing all night and caught nothing until Jesus became involved. This was after the resurrection of Christ, and the message was that we need Him to be involved in all aspects of life, whether our skilled professional areas, or our personal walk with Him. He is not overly interested in one area of our lives and less interested in another! He addressed this with His disciples on the shores of Galilee that day. Let’s not compartmentalize our lives into the ‘spiritual’ and ‘secular’. It is all in the interests of Jesus Christ.

Lord, I submit my life to Your miraculous presence. Have your way in every part of me.