John 21:11
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of 153 large fish. Even though there were so many the net was not torn.
I've read this story many times. The disciples out fishing all night and catch nothing. A man on the shore says to throw the nets on the other side of the boat. Next thing you know the nets are so heavy with fish they'll swamp the boat so they have to be dragged ashore. The story resonates with the 'fishers of men' theme and 'follow me.' But this line from verse 11 was the first time it caught my attention. "Even though there were so many, the net was not torn." For me, the net is Jesus, and no matter how hard we try to escape the goodness of Christ with our sinfulness, He will never let us go. The net is like the arms of Christ holding us tightly. We are the fish. We fight and squirm to get away, sometimes not even realizing it, yet that net is always there and will never break. Once that net get hold of you, you are caught. At the baptism and confirmation ceremonies that many participated in at Easter, you got caught by the net. The mark of baptism through the oils, the washing of sin through the water and the candle signifying the light of Christ is all right there for you. So on those days when it seems like life is a bit of a struggle, don't fight it. Know that Jesus is always there for you!
