After His Resurrection, What Did Jesus Teach Us About Fishing?

The crucifixion of Jesus was an event that absolutely overwhelmed his apostles and disciples. Even though Jesus had forewarned them of what was coming, they were still taken by complete surprise. In his great wisdom, Jesus arranged his post-resurrection appearances in such a way as to them to show them not only who he was, but what was to come. It is fascinating to see how he revealed more and more about their future with each appearance. When we get to his third appearance to a group of his apostles, Jesus came to them as they were fishing. What he did and what he taught related to fishing gave them a pointed and powerful lesson regarding their future! In this episode, we slow down and walk through John 21 step‑by‑step, noticing how Jesus masterfully uses a familiar setting—the Sea of Galilee—to reshape the apostles’ understanding of their calling. These men were back on their home turf, doing the work they knew best, yet they were also in a season of uncertainty. Jesus had risen, but he was no longer walking with them daily. They were waiting, wondering and trying to make sense of what came next. Into that moment of confusion and routine, Jesus stepped with purpose. What unfolds is far more than a miraculous catch of fish. It is a deliberate echo of an earlier moment—another empty night, another unexpected instruction, another overwhelming catch. By placing these two fishing events side‑by‑side, we can see how Jesus revealed how far the apostles had come and how much further they were about to go. The first miracle had been a call to follow. This one was a call to lead. Through this encounter, Jesus showed them that their future work would require obedience even when the instructions seemed unusual, trust even when the results were unseen, and courage even when the task felt too large to carry. He reminded them that success in their new mission would never come from their own expertise, but from listening to his voice—even when they didn’t immediately recognize it. This appearance at the Sea of Galilee becomes a living illustration about discipleship, leadership and the kind of faith required to become true “fishers of men.” It is a story of preparation and commissioning, and it still speaks powerfully to anyone seeking direction in seasons of waiting or uncertainty. Key Takeaways Jesus meets his followers where they are, often in the ordinary rhythms of life, to reveal extraordinary truth. The two fishing miracles act as bookends – one calling the apostles to follow, the other preparing them to lead. Obedience precedes understanding – the apostles cast the net before they knew it was Jesus speaking. The “right side” symbolizes divine authority, reminding us that true success comes from God’s direction, not human expertise. Seasons of waiting are not wasted – Jesus uses them to prepare us for the next stage of our calling. Leadership in Christ’s service requires humility, dependence on his guidance and willingness to act even when the outcome is unclear.