1656. The Sign of the Draught of the Fishes
The Sign of the Draught of the Fishes
"And He said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes" (Joh_21:6).
1. Fishing without success. The disciples, after the death of Christ, went fishing. They toiled during the night, and caught nothing.
This is certainly true of Israel. They have been unsuccessful–instead of proving a blessing to the nations, they have been a curse.
God commissioned them to go out into the whole world, but they failed Him.
They fished for a while, but they fished in their own energy and strength, they fished in a backslidden carnal way, and they caught nothing.
2. The new command. And Christ said unto them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."
We have a picture of the same fishermen, and the same sea. What then is the difference?
First of all, they fished and caught nothing. Now, they fish and they can scarcely draw in their nets because of the largeness of their catch.
The sign is plain. When Israel is restored and blessed under Christ, her King, she will go out among the nations and draw in full nets. There will be wonderful times in those days. The same old Israel and the same old world; but Israel, quickened and restored; Israel, commissioned by a received Christ; a world willing gladly to open heart and hand to the Gospel message.
3. The purpose of the sign. The miracle of the Drag Net is recorded in the opening verses of chapter 21. Chapter 20 closes with the words:
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God"; and that believing ye might have life through His name."
Surely the sign of the Drag Net magnifies Christ as the One who shall restore to Israel the prestige and place of world-wide blessing which she lost in her fall. Then shall the earth be full of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR