When I was a young boy, our family would make annual trips
to the Texas coast to fish and just relax. Some of my fondest memories are of
sitting beside my dad and grandfather along the pier outside of the condo we
would rent. With ice cold Dr. Pepper in hand, we would catch little perch and
croaker that we would feed to the cranes nearby. When we were extra daring, the
Dickson men would charter a boat with a guide to take us out into the gulf to
fish for redfish and rainbow trout in its shallow waters. Sometimes we were
successful and other times we made a trip to the fish market on the way home.
On one occasion, we were incredibly fortunate and spent the entire day reeling
in large reds and plenty of trout. We pulled in so much that several of us
reached our legal limit and had plenty to eat on for several meals! One of the
most satisfying dinners I ever enjoyed was as an 8-year-old boy, eating the
fried fish that I helped catch (something about knowing I caught these fish
made it taste better). Though we would like to take the credit for our success;
ultimately, the guide who took us out to his
“special spots” on his boat with his bait was responsible for placing our
crew at the right place at the right time. His expertise made all of the difference
in providing a fun and productive experience.
As we continue to move toward the end of John, more revelations
of Jesus Christ are made. The next manifestation of the risen Lord takes place
in John 21:1-14 as an unsuccessful fishing expedition is nearing its completion.
However, one Guide is able turn things around and in two unforgettable scenes
He demonstrates His ability to provide in this life and the next.
SCENE #1: Jesus Fills
the Disciples’ Nets-21:1-8
“After these things
Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias and He
manifested Himself in this way…” (21:1). This short introductory note
establishes some measure of chronology as it suggests that the following events
transpired after Jesus’ meeting with Thomas. However, it is not clear exactly
how much time has passed in between the two meetings. Regardless, by this time
the disciples have made it back to Galilee in the vicinity of the Sea of
Tiberias (otherwise known as the Sea of Galilee) where the disciples enjoyed the
some familiarity. Back home in this familiar region is where Jesus decides to
reveal Himself for this third time following His resurrection.
Having returned to their home turf, Peter and several of his
friends decide to take a fishing expedition, “Simon Peter, and Thomas called
Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and 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 also come with you.’…” (21:2-3). Returning
to a familiar locale instigates this return to normalcy and tells us something
about the state of the disciples’ transformation at this point. Such a return
to the mundane would be unimaginable after Pentecost (see Acts 2). After the
Holy Spirit is sent, there is a certain eagerness for spreading the message of
Jesus Christ that seems to be absent here. Therefore, this action taken by
Jesus’ disciples suggests that without the Holy Spirit’s indwelling, those who
believe are unable to serve as instructed—“there is neither the joy nor the
assurance, not to mention the sense of mission and the spirit of unity, that
characterize the church when freshly endowed with the promised Spirit” (Carson,
670).
In spite of the clearly repeated instructions of Christ to
proclaim the good news, the disciples “went out and got into the boat; and that
night they caught nothing…”(21:3). Although there is some evidence which
suggests that night time was considered best for fishing in this region, John includes
this detail in effort to play on a familiar motif—the theme of light and
darkness (see 3:2, 19-21; 13:30; 20:1). Throughout His gospel, light has been
used to symbolize truth, revelation, and life. On the other hand, darkness has
referred to sin, ignorance, and confusion. At this point, the disciples have
not totally come to grips with all that the resurrection means for them and
have not learned the profound truth that apart from Christ they can do nothing
(15:5)—not even catch fish! (something they were good at before ever meeting
Christ). In the darkness of ignorance surrounding these truths, made more
dramatic under the cover of night, they are unsuccessful in their familiar
endeavor, “…they caught nothing.” This
creates an opportunity for Jesus to teach them an all important lesson.
After their fishing trip proves unsuccessful, the day
breaks, casting light onto the sea of Galilee and figuratively providing an
opportunity for the disciples to confront the truths they have ignored or
forgotten, “But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet
the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (21:4). In the dim light of
morning, the Light of the world stands in the distance. However, the fog of the
early morning made it impossible for the disciples to identify the figure
before them, adding to the drama of this tender moment.
As soon as the outline of the figure appears, it speaks,
breaking through the silence of the morning and the melancholy of the
disciple’s fishless expedition. This voice says, “Children [boys], you do not
have any fish do You?” (21:5). Knowing their answer before they gave it, Jesus
is hoping to draw unique attention to the failure the disciples had experienced
in doing something they had been used to doing for years.
After they reveal the unfortunate result of their excursion,
Jesus turns Himself into a fishing guide and provides some helpful advice, “And
He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will
find a catch’…” (21:6a). “Although the right side of anything was widely
considered in Greek circles to be a sign of good luck, it would be utterly
trivial to think that this is why Jesus gave this command” (Carson, 670).
Instead, Jesus (because He is God), must have known that a great school of fish
was swimming beneath the starboard side of the disciples’ vessel. What is more
perplexing is why the disciples took this Stranger up on His advice. Remember,
they did not recognize Jesus at this point. Therefore, if the disciples were
not expecting to see Jesus and can’t tell who is speaking to them, they may
have assumed that this advice was being given from a fellow fisherman. “I always
catch more over there!” “Try casting on the other side!”
Though the specific reasons for the disciples’ obedience
elude the audience, these seasoned fishermen, either out of hope or in
desperation follow the advice and as a result, “they were not able to haul it
in because of the great number of fish” (21:6a). This is not unlike the result
experienced in Luke 5:1-11. There, after following Jesus’ instructions, the
disciples loaded multiple nets onto the boat that nearly sunk the entire vessel!
Here, perhaps after learning from their previous experience, the disciples keep
the net in the water once they notice it is exceedingly full.
Though I imagine that the disciples took advice from other
fishermen in the past that paid off, no advice previously received was this
productive! In fact, it does not take long for John, “that disciple whom Jesus
loved,” to recognize the man on the shore. He quickly tells Peter, “It is the
Lord” (21:7a). Who else could have predicted the movement of the fish beneath
the surface with such pinpoint precision?
As soon as John makes this connection clear to Peter, Peter
covers his near-naked body and throws Himself into the sea, “So when Simon
Peter heard that it was the Lord, He put his outer garment on (for he was
stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea…” (21:7b). John’s insight
combined with Peter’s characteristically over-the-top response confirm Jesus’
presence before the motley crew. The disciples had thrown the net into the sea
to be filled and it was. Following this pattern, Peter threw himself into the
sea hoping for the same blessing.
As has proven to be the case on numerous occasions, the
other disciples are not as flamboyant in their response as Peter, “the other
disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but
about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish” (21:8). Eventually,
all of them make their way to port following another unforgettable fishing
trip—a trip that started rough, but ended with quite a splash. What made the
difference? Jesus intervened, demonstrating that dependence on Him is
appropriate not just for formally “spiritual” endeavors, but all endeavors.
SCENE #2: Jesus Fills
the Disciple’s Bellies-21:9-14
In the next scene, the audience is transported from the Sea
of Galilee to the shore where the disciples, “saw a charcoal fire already laid
and fish placed on it, and bread” (21:9). Having already provided a miracle on
the disciples’ behalf, proving that without Christ, even the most rudimentary
actions are fruitless, Jesus now provides something else –a practical service.
This was not new for the disciples for in John 13:1-17, Jesus was seen washing
the disciples’ feet. Here, as their risen Savior, He meets their tiredness
after a night of toil with a hot breakfast. Though cooking and setting the
table might seem out of place for Jesus, it should not surprise astute bible
students who remember that Christ is the same God who prepares tables for His
own in the presence of their enemies (see Ps. 23).
Shortly after the scene is set, Jesus invites the disciples
to “bring some of the fish which [they]…caught” to be used for the meal. This
spectacle has all of the makings of a very satisfying breakfast. Jesus had made
it possible for the fishing expedition to be a success and now provided an
opportunity for the disciples to participate in making the meal. There are few
things more satisfying for a fisherman than enjoying his own catch.
Peter is the one who takes the initiative to bring some of
the fish over (surprise, surprise!). The
text says, “Simon Peter went up and drew the net to the land, full of
large fish, a hundred and fifty three; and although there were so many, the net
was not torn”(21:11). 153 fish is a lot! But why 153? Why give this number so specifically?
It should not surprise us that these morsels were counted as these fishermen
wanted an accurate survey so that they could divvy them out amongst those
present. What is more important to recognize is the sheer magnitude of the
miracle—a miracle that is made even more surprising by the nets that have
remained in tact. The implication of this detail is that when Jesus is involved
in our rudimentary routine, amazing things can happen.
If perchance some of the disciples were hesitant to join the
Messiah beside the fire, Jesus spells out His invitation more clearly in verse
12, “come and have breakfast…” (21:12). As they approached, none of the
disciples dared to ask Him if He was their resurrected Lord, “None of the
disciples ventured to question Him, ‘Who are You?’ knowing that it was the
Lord” (21:12). Following Jesus’ second appearance (to Thomas and the others),
the disciples at this point had perhaps come to expect that Jesus would turn up
again. Also, by this time the disciples had been given the strongest possible
reasons for believing in Jesus’ resurrection (See 20:19-29). Therefore, there
was no legitimate reason to ask this question.
With everyone gathered around and breakfast ready, “Jesus
came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise…” (21:13).
In this intimate scene, Jesus reassures them, meets their physical needs, and
serves them. Having already provided a miracle, Jesus now provides an
opportunity for the disciples to adjust to the new situation they now faced.
Their Savior was alive! Here was the same miracle worker they had enjoyed
before, the same man who had met their needs in abundant ways, and the same
servant they had watched for the last three years. A breakfast feast is a
perfect occasion to let this all sink in.
In fact, Jesus’ willingness to prepare a feast is not
isolated to this occasion. This subtle breakfast in the company of His
close confidants no doubt foreshadows a much larger meal that Jesus is
preparing for (even at this very moment)—the marriage feast of the Lamb of God.
We read about this special occasion in another book written by John.
Revelation 19:9-“Then he said to me, ‘Write Blessed
are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’…”
It is on this future occasion where Jesus will sit down with
His own and enjoy the greatest of all meals. Listen to Jesus’ promise of this
occasion in Matthew 26:29 and His description of this event in Matthew 22:1-14.
Matthew 26:29-“But I say to you, I will not drink of
this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you
in My Father’s Kingdom.”
Matthew 22:1ff-“Jesus
spoke to them again in parables saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared
to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent out his slaves to
call those who had been invited to the wedding feast,…”
Ultimately, Jesus is making a promise to His disciples and
all other disciples in this scene. In providing a breakfast meal; Jesus proves
that He is the same Messiah that lived on the earth and died on the cross and
reveals Himself to be the one who is going to prepare something even better for
those who follow Him after this world passes away.
So What?
These two scenes demonstrate Jesus as the provider in this
life and in the next. In providing a miracle, Jesus reminds His disciples that
they no longer have the luxury of leaving Him out of their lives, even in the
rudimentary and mundane. When a disciple tries to go it alone, all they can
expect is an empty net, and unsuccessful journey, and a sad report when asked,
“did you catch anything?” In providing a bountiful meal, Jesus suggests that He
takes delight in preparing a special place of fellowship for those who respond
positively to His invitation, “Come.” As He invited the disciples to bring
their fish with them to an intimate celebration on the shore, today Jesus
invites His disciples to bring those whom God has placed beneath their boat to
the marriage feast—those Jesus will use His disciples to help catch.
Are you constantly inviting Jesus to intervene on your
behalf and involve Himself in your day to day life? If not, aren’t you tired of
coming to port empty handed with little or nothing to show for your efforts of
eternal significance?
Are you living with the future feast in mind, diligently fishing
where God has navigated your vessel in an effort to help others answer Jesus’
global invitation?
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