As Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 15 of The Grave Robber, he comments on an eighth miracle, the miraculous catch of fish (John 21:1-14) , tucked away at the end of John’s gospel. This miracle followed Jesus’ resurrection.
The disciples had been fishing all night without luck. Then Jesus told them to try the other side of the boat. Pastor Batterson notes that first-century fishing boats were seven and a half feet wide. What possible difference could ninety inches make? One hundred fifty-three fish! Mark describes the object lesson: “You may only be seven and a half feet from a miracle, but you have to try the other side!”
Mark wonders if miracles involving fish could be the one sphere where the disciples might have been tempted to assert superiority. After all, fishing was their domain, their strong suit. Similarly, our areas of perceived strength or expertise often are where it’s hardest for us to trust God. We tend to rely on our God-given talents instead of the God who gave them to us.
Despite their fishing knowledge, the disciples obeyed Jesus because He told them what they needed to do. And the quantified the miracle- they counted the fish. Applying this to us, Mark adds:
“We need to count miracles the way we count blessings. The latter amplifies joy while the former fortifies faith.”
Today’s question: In what area(s) of your life do you find it most difficult to try the other side? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Believe it to see it”
