9th April 2026

The disciples had seen the resurrected Jesus (John 20), and yet several of them returned to what they knew best – fishing. All night they toiled on the Sea of Tiberias, and yet despite being experienced fishermen they caught nothing. Immediately, we are confronted with some important lessons: human effort on its own cannot guarantee success; believers do experience times of fruitlessness, and sometimes God allows us to have empty nets to prepare us for his provision. 

The disciple’s nets were empty, but thankfully that is not the end of the story: ‘Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore…’ (John 21:4). The timing of Jesus’s appearance was significant: he didn’t appear at the start of the night’s fishing, he didn’t appear during their struggle to catch fish, he appeared at daybreak. In doing so we are provided with more important lessons: God’s timing doesn’t always match with ours, and his provision often comes when we have reached the end of our own strength and efforts.

Jesus then told the disciples to ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some’ (v.6). Seemingly, this was strange advice; experienced fishermen had been out on the sea all night and here was someone on the shore giving them advice about fishing. Yet they obeyed and ‘When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish’ (v.6). God’s provision often comes through simple obedience. The miracle did not happen because of better fishing skills, better timing, or better equipment. It happened because they followed Jesus’s word. Sometimes the difference between empty nets and overflowing nets is obedience to Jesus.

As a result of this miracle, John recognised that the figure on the beach was the Lord (v.7), and when the disciples reached the shore, they saw something remarkable: Jesus already had what they needed, a charcoal fire, fish already cooking and bread prepared (v.9). Jesus did not need their fish; he already had provision and yet incredibly he says to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught’ (v.10). Jesus allowed them to participate in the provision, even though he already had everything they needed. This shows us an important truth: Jesus invites us to participate in his work, even though he doesn’t depend on us.

Then Jesus said to his friends ‘Come and have breakfast’ (v.12). This shows something profound about Jesus. He is the risen Lord, the conqueror of death, and the King of heaven, and yet the risen Saviour prepared and served breakfast for his disciples. And so, the greatest miracle in the passage is not the fish – it is the presence of Jesus. God’s greatest provision is to have a relationship and fellowship with him, through the risen Lord.

The disciples began the night with hard work, discouragement, and empty nets. They ended the morning with a miraculous catch, a renewed recognition of Jesus, and breakfast with their risen Lord. When Jesus is present, empty nets can become overflowing blessings. The same Jesus who stood on the shore that morning still provides today. He still invites us to trust him, to obey his voice, and to come and fellowship with him. And when we do, we discover that he has already prepared what we need.

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church