Reading: John 21:1-14
I’m not among those who are quick to condemn Peter for going fishing that day. I have to ask—exactly what do you think he should have done? At least give him credit for obeying the Lord’s instructions about going to Galilee. (Mark 16:7) So there Peter was, with the other disciples, at home. They had met the risen Lord in Jerusalem. In the room. They could have no doubt about that by now. But now what? They weren’t yet ready to begin any missionary crusades, and they knew it. There was still a sense of unfinished business. Jesus had said he would meet them in Galilee, so there they were. Waiting. And what do you do while you’re waiting?
Were the boats and the nets, and all the other gear, still in place—where they had left them over three years before? Or did they have to rent, or borrow the equipment? Anyway, the most natural decision in the world that day would have been for the Big Fisherman to simply do what he knew best. So he did it. And he was joined by several of the other disciples. It’s no surprise to see the sons of Zebedee (James and John) going along. They had been partners in a small fishing business with Peter and his brother before Jesus met them. But it seems others also wanted to join. This might have presented problems. Could they all fit in the boat? Would they need to take out two boats? Were they experienced? Skilled? Would they only get in the way? Would Peter have been worried about one of them actually falling overboard? A lot to think about, besides just fishing.
If there was one thing Peter had plenty of, it was stuff to think about. That’s another thing fishing is good for. It gives you lots of time to think. In fact, that might have been part of Peter’s reason for going fishing in the first place. He just had to think. He might have felt the need to review the lessons Jesus had been trying so hard to teach them along the way—on the road to Jerusalem. Then there were Jesus’ final words in the upper room at that last supper. There was also, unfortunately, his own recent failure. Jesus had predicted it. How had he known? What fatal flaw had Jesus detected within him? Why? Did all that make him unfit for kingdom service after all? He might have recalled another of Jesus’ predictions, years before, when he said he would become a fisher of men. How could both predictions possibly be true? But when Jesus had appeared in the room that night, Peter had been right there with the others. Jesus had pronounced peace upon them. He told them that he was sending them out . . . Where? When? And when he had breathed on them, and said “Receive the Holy Spirit,” something had stirred deep within him. So much to think about . . . and a lot of time for thinking, as the fish didn’t seem to be cooperating that night . . . all night.
As the dawn came, they began to return to the shore with nets empty, and heads full of disturbing thoughts. And there he was. But they didn’t know him at first. Then, it was as if they were re-playing a scene from the earlier days. No fish? Cast your nets on the other side. Here we go, because you say so—a tug at the nets—fish are everywhere! It all seemed so familiar. Wait a minute—That’s Jesus!
I think the following scene must have been comical, with the disciples shouting and pointing. And Peter, never content to just remain in the boat, had to jump in and splash his way to the shore. By the way, he may be the only man on record to put his clothes on before jumping into the water. It isn’t clear whether this decision was prompted by modesty or confusion. But there he was, coming up out of the water—dripping wet—breathless—to meet the Lord. And the Lord had breakfast already cooking on the fire.
Now, that’s interesting. These men had just spent the whole night, trying to catch something that the Lord had already prepared for them—as he waited for them to finally show up. The fish they had caught were in their nets, not due to their own fishing expertise; but because of their simple obedience to the Lord’s command. Then when they arrived, Jesus asked them to bring the fish they had caught to add to the fish he had already prepared. As if to say, you can’t do this by yourself—but I won’t do everything for you. Bring what you have—and add it to what I already have—and we’ll have breakfast together. Isn’t that how the kingdom works?
So the fishermen got a fishing lesson there on the shores of Galilee. And Peter got time to think. Not a bad night’s work after all.
Selah
The Second Cup 