Gone Fishin’

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

Why Mary?

Reading: John 20:1-18
If you’re a Christian, you should know that your worst day—can never be your last day. Gethsemene, and Golgotha, and even the grave must yield to the glory of the resurrection—every time. That is, for those who follow in his steps. And during the past few days, while disciples were scattered and hiding—or following at a distance and denying any association with him, a small circle of ladies seemed to be constantly somewhere in the crowd. Following. Watching. Weeping. (Matt. 27:55-56, 61; Mark 15:40, 47; Luke 23:49, 55-56; John 19:25) And so it should be no surprise that as soon as the day dawned on that third day, the women were on their way back to the tomb.
The exact sequence of events on that morning is difficult to state with certainty, as the story in our Bible is told from four different perspectives. But this much is clear. Before Jesus appeared to any of the disciples—he appeared to the women. Specifically, he appeared to Mary Magdalene. (cf. Mk. 16:9-10) And I have to wonder why.
We know very little for sure about this woman. We do know that part of her testimony included the fact that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her. We also know that she was among a small group of women who followed Jesus and helped contribute to his support during the days of his ministry on earth. Some have speculated that it was she who came to Jesus in the home of Simon, the Pharisee. That particular woman was described as a “sinner.” (A polite term) She was the one who literally washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair. (Luke 7:36-50) Others vigorously deny any suggestion that this could have been Mary. The truth is, with no clear statement from the scripture, we can’t really know for sure who that woman was.
I am intrigued, however, by the story Jesus told Simon on that occasion. The point of the story was that those who have been forgiven much will just naturally love much. But those who have been forgiven little will love little. (Luke 7:42-43, 47) There can be no doubt that Mary Magdalene had many reasons to love much. And it was this love that compelled her to follow her Lord—every step of the way to Golgotha, and all the way to the grave. . . Even when others came to the empty tomb and looked around—and then left scratching their head, confusing themselves with endless speculation—Mary still hung around. She just couldn’t leave. Something held her there.
Why was Mary the one to meet the risen Lord—before Peter, or even John? Could it be that Jesus chose to reveal himself first to the one who had, perhaps, more reason to love him than any of the others? That would make sense.
Or was it simply because Mary was there? She was always around somewhere. We aren’t talking about luck here. We’re talking about persistence. Perseverance. Holding on, when there’s nothing left inside, except the stubborn will to hold on. Just showing up—and continuing to show up—because she had nowhere else to go. In some ways, she was like Jacob—locked in a life and death struggle with the one he was beginning to recognize as the source of every blessing. I’ll bet his theological understanding was pretty thin at that time; but he understood this much. I won’t let go until you bless me! (Gen. 32:26)
Mary must have been like that. She probably didn’t have a clear understanding of the doctrine of the resurrection at that time. She only knew she had to be there. She couldn’t leave. And Jesus came—to her. I’ll bet Mary never even thought in terms of being the first to see Jesus. That would have been to fall back into the old game of “Who’s number one?” Rather, true to her own nature, as soon as she saw the risen Lord, she ran with the message—just as Jesus told her to do.
Eventually, Jesus will appear to the other disciples. He comes to us all at the appropriate time. In the appropriate place. In the appropriate manner. And I have to believe that he comes first to those who have the most reason to love him the most. And to those whose love compels them to continually hang out in the places he’s most likely to visit. Anyway, that’s how it worked for Mary.
Selah