“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b)

What comes to mind when you think of abundance? 

Your thoughts might go to money…a lot more than you need, so you could spend it on fun stuff and give some away. How about food? I picture restaurants with those all-you-can-eat buffet lines, mounded up with tasty meats, sides, and of course, desserts with a self-serve ice cream machine. Yum. 

Other items on your “abundance wish list” might be clothes, a fancy house, parties, and more. You might even dream about hours of free time…days and days at the beach, with no work and all the time in the world to read books or just sleep. Ahh. I could live that kind of abundant life.

But if I asked you what things you currently have in abundance in your life, you might answer with the following—unpaid bills, health conditions, conflicts, dirty laundry, job demands, etc. Not exactly what you want, especially if your “heart tank” is registering on empty.

Sure, we all know that wealth doesn’t make us joyful, and material things definitely don’t satisfy the longing in our souls. So, what exactly is the abundant life that Jesus has promised us?

Take a look at two fishing stories, both involving Peter and his encounters with Jesus at the Sea of Galilee. The first is in Luke 5. Jesus takes advantage of a nearby boat, belonging to Peter, to go out a short distance in the water in order to teach the multitudes of people pressing around him. When Jesus stops speaking, He instructs Peter to launch out into the deeper part of the lake and let down his net. 

Peter answers respectfully, with a bit of an attitude—he’s fished all night and caught nothing. But he does as he’s told…and starts hauling in so many fish that the net is breaking. That very day, Jesus calls Peter, James, and John to be His disciples, telling Peter not to be afraid because He’s going to make him a fisher of men. 

The second episode occurs after Christ’s resurrection. In John 21, Peter is at loose ends, probably wondering what’s going to happen next. Not wanting to just sit around, he shifts to his default mode, fishing. His disciple comrades come along, too. Like before, they fish all night and catch nothing. 

When morning comes, Jesus stands on the shore awaiting them, although they don’t recognize Him. Once again, He tells them to cast their net into the lake, and they aren’t able to draw it in because so many fish—153, to be exact—are overloading it.

In both of these incidents, Jesus gives specific guidance. Peter and his friends are asked to throw out the net, and Jesus brings them a “miracle” catch. Overflowing. Valuable. More than satisfying. Abundant.

When Jesus came to our befallen planet, He brought the same power that created the universe, the power to satisfy our emptiness with abundance. He came to give us everything we need and more to live the life of purpose He has ordained for us.

Alistair Begg, in his devotion book “Truth for Life,” tells it this way: “Christ desires that we see our poverty in order that we might bow in wonder at His provision….He invites us to seek that every void in life be filled with His goodness and strength.”

Begg notes that by promising eternal life to all who believe in Him, Jesus gives us way more than we could imagine. “When Christ intervenes in our lives by His Spirit, He doesn’t merely run a trickle through them to tease us; He promises that out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).”*

This is not a health-and-wealth-and-prosperity promise. When Jesus offers us abundant life, it is always for His glory, not ours. He gives Peter an unexpected blessing in the emptiness of his net. Jesus fills it up to the brim, nearly breaking it with the richness of His treasures. He hints here at the soul harvest Peter will reap, for thousands of years to come, through the ministry He will give him.

There are other ways Jesus gives us abundant providence when we least expect it. Sometimes His blessings do come in material ways. Missionaries talk about receiving funds just at the moment they were on the verge of giving up. You’ve probably had rare moments when you’ve been given an unexpected raise or promotion, you find out that despite all odds you’ve been able to conceive children, or you’ve had a miraculous answer to prayer. Your heart spills over with joy, awe, and wonder at God’s provision.

His best blessings come, however, when we are beset by trials and need His power and strength to get through them. He stands beside us with His presence, keeps us going, equips us with spiritual armor, gives us His generous wisdom, and promises that heaven waits for us on the other side of this life.

That’s an abundance I want to receive every day. How about you? 

At the end of the second fishing story, Jesus does more than just provide a commercial success for His fisherman friends…He prepares a bountiful fish breakfast for them, with bread. He satisfies their hunger, their needs for their families, and their desire for His company. Jesus is the God of abundance for them.

When you are feeling empty—or overloaded with despair—and Jesus invites you to “go fishing,” say yes. Cast out your net, and wait to see how He provides. Like Peter, be prepared to bow in wonder and joy at all the good things He brings to you.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the world, I come to you with an empty net, unmet needs, and a hunger for Your righteousness. Pour out Your generosity into my heart, shining Your light and joy into the darkest parts. With the apostle Paul, I praise Your holy name and power—“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

#petersfish #seaofgalilee #fishingnet #abundantlife #fishingtrip #livingwater #wishlist

© Copyright 2023 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative (text and photography)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

To learn more about the grace of Jesus Christ, go to this page: https://lightbournecreative.com/good-news-for-you/

*Alistair Begg, Truth for Life. The Good Book Company, 2021, p. 158.