Gone Fishin

Hello, I wanted to take a moment and thank you folks who stop by and read my blog. I know I am not the biggest and the best, but it does my heart good to see folks from all over the world read my blog. And I want say a big bonjour to you folks in France who have started reading my blog. 

John 21:1-14
21:1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"

"No," they answered.

6 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.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.  9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
 

After a 9 hour marathon of college football, a hardy soul woke up at 3 am to go Ice fishing. He drove, on icy streets in a thick fog, out to the lake. After parking in the lot by the lake, he went out on the ice. He got out his trusty saw, and cut himself a nice hole, and dropped his line in. A voice came from above "THERE'S No FISH IN THAT HOLE!" He was a bit started, but moved down a little, and cut a new hole. "THERE'S NO FISH IN THAT HOLE EITHER" said the voice. The fisherman was a bit put out, and shouted "Who is speaking, and how do you know there ain't no fish in that hole?" The voice boomed, "I Know because I am the manager here, and this is the ice-skating rink!" Peter, who was never good at waiting; decided to go fishing. And so he announced to the other disciples that he was going fishing, and some of the others joined him. Some people think that the disciples did the wrong thing in returning to their boats and nets. But remember the disciples had not yet been appointed to preach the resurrection of Christ Jesus. So they did what they knew, they went fishin. But it would turn out to be a different kind of fishing trip.

Public opinion surveys continually show that education is among the issues of most concern to Americans. We want well-educated children in quality learning environments. Christ Jesus, the “Master Teacher,” wants to develop us to our full potential, and He masterfully uses whatever learning environment is available at any given time. With Peter, He turned the Sea of Galilee into a classroom, and an old boat into a student’s desk. Peter no doubt looked every part the fisherman. He was rough and rugged with the jaws of a fighter and tough leather skin. However, through several encounters recorded in the Gospels, he became a big-hearted individual—a rock with a soft heart. Peter was a son of the sea, and from his encounters with the sea Christ Jesus taught him great lessons, turning him from clay to rock.

John's Gospel does not end with the faith of Thomas in the risen Lord, but with a confident statement that Christ Jesus’ mission to the world undertaken at His command and under His authority will be the means by which many are saved. It is as if John had second thoughts after seeming to conclude the Gospel by stating the purpose of his writing (20:31). He now conclude his testimony by making it clear that the church has been given an urgent, worldwide mission by the resurrected Lord. This mission is set forth here by John in the familiar imagery and setting of fishing and caring for sheep.

1. THE FEELING OF FAILURE (vs. 1-3)

Seven of the disciples went back to the well-known haunts of the Tiberias to fish. Christ Jesus usually makes Himself known to His people, through His Word, and in His ordinances. But sometimes by His Spirit He visits people when they are busy at their job.

I think one reason that Peter and the others went fishing was that they needed some time to sort things out. They needed time to work through some things. It is was good for the disciples of Christ Jesus to be together in common conversation, and common business. I sure Peter and the others needed some normalality in their lives. Seeing the risen Christ Jesus had to be weighing on Peter, after all he had denied Christ Jesus not once but three times. Peter, and all disciples except John were absent at the crucifixion. Then the living Christ Jesus appeared to them in a locked room where they were hiding, not once, but twice. The events of the last days had to be overwhelming. Their whole world had been shaken, and they were baffled and confused. What should they do next?

Peter said, “I am going fishing,” and six of the other disciples join him (v. 3). Fishing was something they knew and understood and felt comfortable doing. Even the way they refer to “the boat” rather than “a boat” indicates they have used it before. Fishing made things feel normal.

Have you ever felt like you have failed Christ Jesus?

Yes, the disciples had to be feeling confused and like failures. Now that they were back to fishing things ought to be better; right?

2. THE NIGHT OF FAILURE (vs. 4-5)

I think another reason Peter and some of the other disciples decided to go fishing was because they were not sure what they are suppose to be doing. They had not been commissioned yet so they were just kind of at loose ends. But after fishing all night—that is the best time for a good catch—they were empty-handed. It must have been a long, dismal night.

One can almost imagine snatches of conversation breaking into long periods of silence. “Where do you suppose He is now?”

“What could have gone wrong?”

“Why didn’t the other four join us?”

“We have been fishing all night and not one fish to show for it. Who's idea was this anyway?”

Or maybe they remembered what Christ Jesus had said earlier, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Or maybe, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt 4:19)

And so they fish all night with out a single fish in their net. If that weren't bad enough someone on the shore whom the disciples did not recognize asked them if they had caught anything. And so adding insult to injury the disciples had to answer “no”!

Are You trying everything You know to... you fill in the blank? Isn't it time for You turn it over to Christ Jesus?

It wasn’t bad enough that the disciples were feeling like failures before their fishing trip, now with out a catch they were really dragging. However like the famous author Saul Alinsky said, “We must believe that it is the darkest before the dawn of a beautiful new world.”

3. THE MORNING OF SUCCESS (vs. 6)

At daybreak, Christ Jesus was watching from the shore of the lake. However the disciples did not recognize Him. Christ Jesus' time of making Himself known to His people, can happen at any time. But is seems that more often than not it happens when they are most at a loss. Christ Jesus knows what you face, and has promised you grace sufficient. God's divine care extends itself to what may seem like the most minute things. And He does so for those who are happy who acknowledge God in all their ways.

If you are humble, diligent, and patient, even though your labors may seem to go unnoticed, you will be crowned one day. You may see your concerns take a turn for the better, after a long struggle or you may not. But be assured what ever the outcome you will be rewarded one day. There is nothing lost by observing Christ Jesus' commands; it is casting the net on the right side of the ship.

Christ Jesus called to the disciples, “Catch any fish?” He then told them to let their net down on the other side. They give it a try, and caught a bunch of fish, I mean a bunch of fish. Something familiar about this – Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; (Luke 5:5-6).

Is Christ Jesus saying something to you that sound familiar? How often, like these disciples, have you been fishing on the wrong side, making your own decisions, trying to get things done in your own strength and wisdom, really saying, “I'll get it 'er done my own way?” Why not let the Master Fisherman help?

The disciples went from feeling like failures to a night of fishing failure. But then the Son showed up and now things were changing. They had just caught a bunch of fish, 153 and there was something familiar about the guy on the beach.

4. THE FEELING OF SUCCESS (vs. 7-14)

The region of unbelief is black with God’s frown, and filled with plagues and wrath; but the region of faith is as the floor of heaven for brightness. Christ’s righteousness shelters it, the graces of the Spirit beautify it, and the eternal smile of God comforts and glorifies it. – Dr. Hoge

John recognized the fellow on the beach finally and joyfully cried out to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Like at the tomb, John got there first, but Peter is the first one in. Peter, hearing the good news, hastily covered his body with an outer garment and impulsively plunges into the sea to greet his Lord (v. 7). 

That 153 fish in their net was almost to much for the disciples to draw it in. What tremendous, unexpected things happen when you obey the Lord. It is when you surrender to the Lord that His Spirit moves and “fish are caught.” The more tightly you seek to control the Lord and His ways, insisting the “fishing” must be done your way, the more often the net is pulled up empty. 

Although there were so many, and such great fishes, none were lost, nor was their net damaged. The net of the gospel has enclosed multitudes, yet it is as strong as ever to bring souls to God. It is still strong enough to bring you to Christ Jesus.

There was a fire glowing on the beach, not a fire like the one by Peter had tried to warm himself by the morning the crowing rooster announced his betrayal. This is a flame kindled by the risen Lord who now invited these men to join Him for breakfast. Christ Jesus still invites mankind to join Him. He invites you to join Him. 

Christ Jesus showed His love by fixing breakfast for the disciples. He then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish (v. 13). He had fed the hungry crowds with just a few fishes and a little bread. Now He fed His disciples. As Christ Jesus graciously shared His food with them, their pledge to Him was renewed. They were drawn together in love by His Resurrection power after having been scattered. The unity of those present was restored. 

Christ Jesus wants to share a meal with you if you will let Him. He is the bread of life and the everlasting water. (John 6:35; 7:37-38). He wants to restore your relationship with the Father and all you have to do is ask.

CONCLUSION: Peter and the disciples moved from feeling like failures to an even more miserable night of failure. But the next morning Christ Jesus showed up and things started changing. The night of failure became a morning of success. And when the disciples recognized Christ Jesus and felt His love they were overcome with a feeling of success.

The disciples did not have to ask Christ Jesus who He was, they just knew who He was. If you will admit it when Christ Jesus comes knocking at your heart you know who it is. What will be your response to Him today? Will you try and deal with your failures (sin) on your own or will you dine with Christ Jesus and turn failure in to everlasting success (everlasting life)?