Do You Need Him?

When speaking of Christian ministry I have heard many people say, "God doesn't need us."  I agree with the statement.  He loves us and has chosen to use people as His instruments and vessels - along with angels, storms, plagues, and even donkeys.  It is a good mind set to keep as we abide in Christ:  God doesn't need me, but I really need Him!  He is able to raise up servants of Abraham from stones if need be.  That being said, He has opened the doors of heaven and invited all who will repent, believe the Gospel, and enter by faith.  God has given Himself to those who obey Him in the person of the Holy Spirit.  God is the one who makes us useful and profitable for His glory.

As I was reading the scriptures last night, I saw this truth illustrated in wonderful fashion.  Jesus had risen from the dead and Peter announced to fellow followers of Jesus:  "I'm going fishing!"  It sounded like a good idea and they all went along.  They fished all night long from a boat and caught absolutely nothing.  When morning came, they saw a man on the beach who called out to them.  "Hey boys!  Caught your breakfast yet?"  No, they said.  The man on the beach shouted out, "Cast your net over the right side of the boat, and you'll find fish."  I wonder the thoughts that passed through the men as they muttered to each other in frustration, fatigued by fishing the night through.  Who cares what side of the boat you fish from?  It's a boat, for crying out loud! Their thoughts of the fishing "expert" instantly left them when their nets hit the water, for they were suddenly full to the breaking point with fish.  Unable to lift the heavy catch, they started rowing for shore.  It became evident this curious man on the beach was none other than Jesus Christ, their risen LORD.

The thing which I find interesting is when the fishermen lug the packed net to shore, they found Jesus already had a fire of coals with fish and bread cooking.  The net was miraculously free from any damage.  Jesus knew the disciples would catch fish, for He was clearly the cause.  But Jesus chose not to wait to use any fish from the catch to feed his weary disciples.  Whether the cooking fish was as a result of a miracle or He bought the fish at the market, I cannot say.  But what I can say is the fish Jesus provided was enough to feed them all - without the miraculous catch.  After the fish were laid out and counted - 153 large fish to be precise - Jesus invited the men to eat what He had already prepared.  The need for breakfast was supplied by Christ before the men caught a single fish.  Yet when they were obedient to His directives, their efforts were rewarded with abundance.

As they ate together, Jesus used the great catch as an object lesson.  John 21:15 reads, "So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."  In my mind I see Jesus waving His nail-scarred hand towards the fish Simon had been futilely trying to catch all night without result:  "Do you love me more than these?"  Jesus did not want to be loved merely as a cause for fishing success, or because He provided food for Peter's belly.  At that moment Peter needed to make a decision.  Jesus did not need Peter's efforts to spread the Gospel.  Peter's best labour and energy in his flesh would avail nothing for the kingdom of God.  Jesus did not need Peter, but He loved and wanted him.  Peter responded, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."  His life would prove that Peter spoke the truth and indeed loved Him.  We never read of Peter fishing for fish again, for through the Holy Spirit Jesus would make Peter a bold, effective fisher of men.

God doesn't need us to do anything because He is sufficient in Himself.  Yet He has invited, redeemed, accepted us and granted us the awesome privilege of serving Him.  We serve by permission, not by commandment.  Praise God for such grace and love, that He calls to us and directs our lives according to His perfect will.  The thing you are willing to chase all night to catch, the thing you labour for and consumes your thought, that is the thing that Jesus points to and says, "Do you love me more than this?"  Let us love Jesus most of all, for only He can supply our needs.