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." {NASB}

Beloved,

We all go through financial trials at times, don't we? I am going through one right now. Again. During the almost-3-years since I have come to Christ, I have endured financial trouble after financial trouble. If you are a single parent, the financial trials seem to be compounded. 

As I was going through some Bible study today, I came across the time when Jesus manifested Himself again, to the disciples. This happened after His Crucifixion, after His Resurrection. He has already appeared to the disciples, so that they would know He had risen. He already showed Himself to Thomas {poor, Doubting Thomas}, His nail wounds. 

John 21:1-5 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.{NASB}

That night, they decided to go fishing. These were the same men that saw Jesus after He had risen from the dead. The same Peter who denied Him three times. The same Thomas who saw the holes in His nail-scarred Hands. The same Nathaniel who said, "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" {John 1:45}, and then called Jesus "The Son of God, The King of Israel" {John 1:49}. The same sons of Zebedee that Jesus told He would make fishers of men. {Luke 5:10}. Can you imagine, Beloved? Imagine the things they witnessed! And they decide to go fishing. And they caught... nothing.

It wasn't for lacking of trying, Beloved. They tried hard. "They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing" . We know they fished all night. We know that fishing is manual labor. Very physical, manual labor. They invested time and effort into this endeavor, and saw no results for their labor.

John 21:4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. {NASB}

In the morning, Jesus came to them. He stood on the beach. Yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Why did they not know it was Jesus? 

The Greek word for "know" is eidó, pronounced (i'-do). Know, remember, appreciate. To see with physical eyes as it naturally bridges to the metaphorical sense:perceiving ("mentally seeing"). This is akin to the expression: "I see what You mean".

They went fishing without Jesus, then couldn't see Him and know He was there. Their physical eyes did not bridge to their mentally perceiving Him, not until He spoke to them. {My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; John 10:27}. 

John 21:5 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” {NASB}

He knew they went out fishing all night. He knew they went fishing without Him. He knew they didn't have any fish. But instead of accusing them, or causing them to feel bad about it, He calls them children, or "little one". He speaks to them with a term of endearment. A little child in training. They answer Him, honestly and simply. No long stories, no big explanations. And He addresses their immediate need, their lack. 

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.{NASB}

How gracious was the Lord? They went fishing without Him, they didn't recognize Him and yet He still directed them. He told them exactly what to do to haul in a great catch, and they did it. They were obedient to His direction. And they were not able to haul in the catch, it was so great. 

Why the right side of the boat? No one really knows. One commentary I read talked about it being the right side because the ship is representative of the church, and that as the church we are at the right hand of God. Perhaps. Perhaps it was a specific, simple direction, designed to inspire obedience. 

Beloved, how often do we go fishing without the Lord? I have gone fishing without Him a lot. And then I expect Him to bless and multiply my fishing attempts, simply because of my need? But I don't wait for Him, I don't wait for His direction. And my net comes up empty. 

John 21:7-8 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish {NASB}

Up until now, the disciples didn't know it was the Lord. They didn't see with their physical eyes, bridging to awareness in their minds, that it was the Lord. They didn't know, until they heard His voice. Then they knew. You've got to love Peter, though. When he hears that it is Jesus, he jumps into the water to go to Jesus. Not the other disciples. They follow in the boat, towing the great catch the Lord provided.

John 21:9-11 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn {NASB} 

What did they find, when they got to shore? The Lord had provided them breakfast. He already had a fire going, cooking them fish and bread. He says to them "Bring some of the fish which You have now caught." Bring Me some of the provision I have guided you to, provided for you, told you how to get. Bring me that portion of the provision I have provided you, before you do anything else. And although there was a great number of fish, their net was torn. He provided a huge bounty, bigger than they could haul, but their tools remained intact. 

John 21:12-14 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. {NASB}

Jesus told them to come and have breakfast. Come and eat, partake of what I have provided for you. And none of the disciples questioned Him. They knew it was Him. Jesus took the bread and the fish, and gave it to them. Are paying attention to this, Beloved? Even after He told them how to fish, provided them a huge harvest, He served them. Are we doing the same? Are we waiting to fish with the Lord? Are we being obedient and following His directions? Are we serving Him, and others, when He provides for us?

Father God,

Thank You for showing us Truth, through Your Word. Thank You for coming to us, for guiding us, even when we go fishing without You. I pray that Your Beloved will always go fishing with You first, rather than finding You afterwards. I pray that You will guide Your Beloved into the financial provision You intend for Your Beloved, with Your direction. I pray that Your Beloved will be obedient to Your directions, and will cast the net. I pray that You will bless and multiply the catch for Your Beloved, and that Your Beloved will bring You the first of the provisions. I pray that Your Beloved will be like Simon Peter, and jump into the water to come to You. I pray that Your Beloved will always have breakfast with You, Lord. I ask all things in the Name of Jesus, 

Amen