Radical change
At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. John 21:4-6
I was brought up by the sea and so it isn’t surprising that I started fishing when I was a boy. We always set out with huge expectations of what we would catch. If you have ever gone fishing you will know that, whenever someone walks by, they are bound to ask: “Have you caught anything?” It’s the obvious question but the last thing that you want to admit is that you have caught nothing. You feel a complete failure – an experience I often had!
In this account, Jesus asked the predictable question. Even though he spoke to them, it seems, at first, that the disciples didn’t recognise him. He then advised them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. Another thing that people who walk by you when you are fishing like to do is give advice. Jesus duly gave his advice and, interestingly, since they didn’t know it was him or that their newfound adviser knew anything about fishing, they did as he said. The result was that they brought in an enormous catch.
Most people don’t love change. We get used to organising our lives in a way that suits us, and we have powerful reasons for doing things in the way that we do. Churches are particularly fond of sticking to a particular way of organising themselves, and that sometimes stays unchanged for years and even decades. It isn’t wrong to get into a settled pattern of life, but it is essential for us to listen to the voice of Jesus, who will sometimes invite us to do things completely differently. And, when we are obedient to him, blessing is sure to follow.
QUESTION
When have you seen radical change in the life of your church, and what did you learn from the experience?
PRAYER
Loving Lord Jesus help me to listen carefully for your voice. I ask you to give me courage to be obedient. Amen