Blessed be the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves us to the uttermost. I welcome you to meditate on the Scriptures, as we are instructed in the Bible to know Him deeply—until we reach “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:13–14, NKJV).
One might ask: Why, when the Lord appeared to His disciples after His resurrection—on that morning when they were fishing—does the Bible mention that they caught exactly 153 large fish? Why is the number recorded so precisely? And why did the Lord, on the shore, have only one fish?
Let’s read the passage:
John 21:3–13 (NKJV)3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and plunged into the sea.8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
The scene is striking: Jesus tells them where to cast the net, and they catch an extraordinary haul—153 large fish, so many that they could hardly pull the net in. Yet when they come to shore, Jesus already has a meal prepared: bread and one fish, roasting over a charcoal fire.
Why only one? Not a net full?
That single fish, prepared by Jesus Himself, was the one He gave to them alongside the bread (John 21:13). This was not just any fish—it was His fish, given from His own hand. And the joy, satisfaction, and nourishment from that one fish must have been unlike anything they had ever tasted. It blessed them all, fed them all, and refreshed them all.
The Lord was teaching a lesson: If one soul brought to Him is this precious, how much greater will be the joy when there are 153?
Just after this meal, Jesus turns to Peter and begins the famous dialogue:
“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” … “Feed My lambs… Tend My sheep… Feed My sheep” (John 21:15–17).
The connection is clear: the 153 fish represent the great harvest of souls to be brought into the Kingdom. But the one fish, lovingly prepared by the Lord, represents the immense value of even a single soul saved.
Jesus Himself declared:
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).
If one soul brings such joy to heaven, imagine the multiplied rejoicing over 153—or over countless more brought in by faithful laborers.
Even today, the Lord is reminding us: The work He has called us to—fishing for people lost in the world—is never in vain. The rewards in heaven will far outweigh any effort here on earth (1 Corinthians 15:58). If only we could taste now the reward He has prepared for winning just one soul, we would never tire of the work—day or night.
This challenges us to examine our God-given gifts:
Do our songs draw people to Christ, or are they mainly for profit and fame?
Do our sermons point people to the Lord, or merely to worldly success?
Do we shepherd God’s flock with care, or are we scattering it?
Today, the Lord asks you personally:
“Do you love Me?”
If you do, then like the disciples, use the gifts He has entrusted to you to bring in as many as you can—because the worth of a single soul in Christ’s eyes is beyond calculation, and it fills heaven with celebration.
May the Lord bless you and hold your hand.Maranatha!
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