John 21:1-8. 1After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3Simon 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.
4Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6He 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. 7That 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. 8The 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.
If this story sounds familiar that’s because it should. The disciples out fishing all night but catching nothing. A command to cast nets on the other side of the boat. A great catch of fish. This is how it all began years ago.
But things are clearly different now. These men that were once so loyal to Jesus had abandoned him in his greatest hour of need. Jesus has appeared to them in moments, and, yes, he has come in peace, but that is a far cry from reinstatement into the Jesus School. Forgiveness by Jesus doesn’t equal restoration by Jesus.
Jesus told the women to tell the Disciples to go to Galilee, and there they will see him. And here we are, back at the sea. Seven of Jesus disciples are waiting by the shore. Is Jesus late? Is he too slow to get there? No, Jesus is always right on time. But impetuous Peter can’t wait. I’m sure he is far more than just impatient. He is likely nervous about seeing Jesus at a pre-arranged meeting spot. Is this where Christ will lower the boom? Is this where he will break the inevitable bad news? Game over. Go home everyone. Experiment failed. I’ll be starting over with a new class of followers.
So Peter, like so many of us, returns to what he knows best – I am going fishing. Peter knows fishing. He can control fishing. Fishing is comfortable for him. It’s what he does best. Or is it? That night they caught nothing.
Children, do you have any fish?
The question is searing. This is the only place in the gospels where Jesus addresses his disciples as children. Little children, do you have ANY fish? Even just one? Do you have enough for a small meal (this is literally what he is asking)? No?
Jesus knows their complete inability and he knows their need. He understands that their hearts need much more than just forgiveness, they need restoration. They need to know that they have been reconciled to their Lord. And so Jesus puts them through a test of reconciliation. Not unlike Joseph testing his brothers in Egypt. Yes, I will forgive them, but can I trust them again?
Jesus forgiving us is never the question. But can he use us? Can he entrust us with his mission? How will we respond in testing and in failure? Will we trust him?
Please understand, Jesus isn’t asking these men to bring anything to the table. They have zero fish to offer. And these are expert fisherman. Even their best is still nothing without Christ’s intervention. What Jesus is testing is not their ability but their faith. Will they obey me? Will they listen to me when I tell them to cast their nets somewhere else? With Jesus, reconciliation is never a matter of earning or proving our worth, it is only a matter of trust. Trusting what? Trusting our identity in Christ. And then finding rest in that identity.
Christian, listen to me, failure is inevitable. You are going to fail in the Christian life. Many times. Over and over. You are going to run and hide. You will deny Jesus. You will go back to fishing (whatever that is for you).
In those dark moments if all you have is the occasional appearance of Jesus on Sunday mornings, but then you go back to fishing on Monday, sure, you’ll look busy, and you may actually be busy, but there won’t be any fish. No eternal fish at least.
For that you have to get out of the boat and come to Jesus.
At the first great catch of fish, Peter fell on the deck of the boat and begged Jesus to leave. “Depart from me for I am a sinful man,” he cried. This time Peter dives out of the boat and swims to his Jesus, his Savior-King. He knows what he needs, forgiveness and reconciliation with God. And he knows there’s only one person who can give it to him, Jesus Christ the Lord.
You: What do you tend to do with your spiritual failures? Do you go back to fishing?
You in Christ: How does trusting your union with Christ allow you to face your failures honestly and openly knowing God will both forgive and reconcile?
Christ in you: Where can you see your trust in Christ producing “spiritual fish?”
Prayer: Father, I know that you have forgiven me through Christ, but how could you ever still want to use me? And yet, you have shown me that with Christ you can use anyone to catch fish for you. Help me to grow in my faith as I cast my nets wherever you tell me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 