The Right Side of the Boat

“He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”

John 21:6

 

“…on the right side of the boat…”

If you can excuse just a little bit of liberty I might take with this verse, could it be that we do not find some fish because instead of the ‘right’ side, we are always casting our net on the ‘wrong’ side of the boat?

The disciples were not instructed to let down the net inside the boat.

Of course that would be silly.

Fish don’t usually just jump out of the water and into your boat!

I wonder if we don’t sometimes get less than genuine ‘conversions’ from those who visit our churches because they think that going to an altar and ‘saying’ a prayer is how they are supposed to respond.

Of course, I am not saying that God hasn’t and won’t continue to meet a truly repentant heart at an altar inside the four walls of the church.

I think though, we have created this evangelistic ‘comfort zone’ where we can bring people and if they don’t respond in a fashion we expect we can lay the blame with the Pastor or the worship team.

After all the music was loud and the message was long – no wonder no one came to Christ!

But take a look at the four Gospels and how much of the time Jesus’ ministry was inside the Temple versus out and about among those who were hurting, needy and hungry for the Kingdom of God.

Maybe you think I ‘cheated’ a bit with my use of the right and wrong side of the boat.

Forgive me.

Still, you have to admit that the old model of bringing people to church to hear and respond to a message seems to be far less effective today.

Too be sure, don’t forsake assembling together but don’t assume that the fish will jump into the boat.

Let down your net on the right side.

What is the ‘right’ side?

Listen to Jesus – He’ll direct you to the harvest!