PsalmTree

 John 21:1-14

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.”

😇 Peter said “I’m going fishing.” My brother says “we don’t call it ‘catching’ because that’s not why we go.” Fishing is, in many ways, a metaphor for life; we sit in the boat, cast a line and wait…but we don’t judge success on how much we catch, success is in the act of fishing. Catching is a bonus. 

In fact, the disciples caught nothing, all night.  I’m not sure they really cared. They had nothing else to do and they loved fishing. I’ve fished with my brother and he’ll often say “let’s go over there and try.” Not with need or urgency, but with curiosity. This is why I’m not surprised the disciples obeyed when Jesus said “cast your net in the other side”; they probably thought “why not?”

And you know the rest…Jesus knows stuff. 

Jesus has called us to be “fishers of men. (John 1:40-42)” I like the analogy…it’s something we should love to do and we should be doing it whenever we have an opportunity. But, like my brother, it’s a good day if we’re fishing…not defined by how much we catch. Also, if this incident has meaning, and it does, catching is immeasurably more likely if we drop a line where Jesus suggests. 

Here’s where I need to ask myself, am I a “fisher (of) men?” Do I look forward to any opportunity? Do I have all the lures I need? Do I plan? Do I prepare? Do I feel at peace when my line is in the water?  I, for sure, have a fishfinder…his name is Jesus. He’s number one on the market. If being on the water fishing (for men) isn’t my “happy place,” I should be asking myself why. 

🙏🏼 Lord, God…you have made me a fisherman. Give me a passion for sharing my faith. Give me an unexplainable peace and pleasure when I find the opportunity. Help me not to judge success by how much I catch but by how much I fish. Remind me…if I listen to you, the probability of filling my boat is geometrically increased. Lord, I want to go fishing. Will you go with me? Amen.