SERIES: The Gospel of John
The Trouble with Fishing
SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus
Introduction: We come this morning to the final chapter of the Gospel of John, planning to complete our journey next Lord’s Day. This is one of my favorite chapters in the NT, not because of profound theological content or inspiring prose, but rather because of its deep insight into human nature, as well as into the person of Christ.
John 21 continues the very honest portrayal of the checkered history of the Apostles, and particularly of Peter, when it comes to commitment and service for Christ. I would suggest that from time to time most of us manifest the same deficiencies they showed and face the same pitfalls they faced, and therefore, we hopefully will be able to learn from their mistakes.
Our chapter has as its setting the post-resurrection ministry of Christ prior to His ascension to the Father. Jesus died, but three days later He rose from the dead, and for forty days He appeared to various disciples to stimulate their faith and to communicate important truths to them. He also gave them the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, baptizing and discipling as they went. And He promised them the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit for the task before them.
The account here in John 21 occurs late in that 40-day period. According to verse 14, this is the third time Jesus appears to His disciples as a group. This meeting is at the Sea of Tiberias, better known as the Sea of Galilee, and seven of the disciples are present. Five are mentioned by name, the sons of Zebedee being, of course, James and John.
Jesus offers direction to His floundering followers. (1-14)
The disciples go fishing.
Peter proposes the fishing trip and evokes a unanimous response. It is somewhat difficult to evaluate this decision. Some have praised them for productively using their leisure time, while others have rebuked them, believing they were returning to their former occupation now that they had lost the permanent presence of Jesus, even though He had instructed them to be His ambassadors and missionaries. The truth probably lies somewhere in between.
We have here a group of men who have just suffered the greatest disappointment imaginable. The One they thought would usher in the Kingdom of God and appoint them to His cabinet is leaving them. So, until they can get their heads together, they revert to what they know best. Perhaps they believe the message my father has on a sign in his study: “The time a man spends fishing is not deducted from his lifespan.” At any rate, the disciples fish all night (verse 3) and catch nothing. I’ve never fished all night, but I can certainly relate to the words, “catching nothing.”
What is the problem? Are they using the wrong bait? Is the barometer falling? Is the moon full? are they fishing too deep? No, these men were professionals. They know that lake like the back of their hands. They know the tides and the seasons. If they can’t catch fish on that night, no one can. The problem is that God Himself, the Lord of nature, has stopped the mouths of these fish as He did the mouths of the lions in Daniel’s den—to teach the disciples some important truths.
One of these truths is that our attempts to be productive Christians are worthless unless Jesus Himself directs and blesses them. It’s the same point He made in John 15, where He said, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” Then He made the same point negatively: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Nothing. Apart from Christ and in the energy of the flesh, our efforts to serve God will be as empty as Peter’s fishing nets, even if we work with the best of motivation and with the greatest of energy.
Perhaps you will recall that at the beginning of Jesus’ three-year ministry there was a similar incident. Jesus was teaching the multitude from Peter’s boat, and after He finished, He instructed Peter to move out into deeper water and let down his nets. Peter objected that he had toiled all night and had caught nothing. But reluctantly he obeyed, and he caught so many fish that his net broke.
Peter was impressed, but then Jesus made an application of the miracle to Peter’s life: “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men. So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:1-11) From that time on, in the vocabulary of Jesus and His disciples, “fish” symbolized lost men and women while “fishing” suggested evangelism. Could it not be that Jesus is helping them recall their earlier commission to “fish for men?” If so, He is also reminding them that they will catch nothing until He comes and directs the expedition.
But with Christ we see what happens in verse 4:
“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. 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.”
Jesus catches their attention with a miracle. There are several kinds of miracles in the Scripture. There are what I like to call first-class miracles, second-class miracles, and third-class miracles. First-class are events without any possible natural explanation, like the Virgin Birth or resurrection. Second-class are unique events that could be explained naturally except for their timing, e.g., prophetic fulfillment. Third-class are highly unlikely circumstances brought together by divine providence, like answered prayer. This is probably a third-class miracle but a miracle nonetheless, and it reveals Jesus’ identity to the disciples. We see this in verse 7: “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!'”
Some have suggested that in the foggy conditions of early dawn it was not possible for the disciples to discern who the man was there on shore. It is more likely, as we noted last week, that He looked different in His resurrection body. But He doesn’t act differently. As soon as the nets begin to fill up, John turns to Peter and says, “Guess what, Peter? That guy on shore has to be the Lord.” There is simply no other explanation. And Peter once again responds consistently with his character. We have seen time and again where the Apostle John understands before Peter, while Peter acts before John. This time is no exception. He jumps into the lake and starts swimming the 100 yards to shore.
It’s not entirely clear why Peter does this. Some have suggested that he is embarrassed at his state of undress, but most scholars reject the KJV translation which reads, “He was naked.” The Greek most probably means that he was dressed in his underwear, which was not at all unusual for fishermen of that day. Besides, if immodesty was the reason he jumps into the lake, why does he bother to put his cloak on first? More likely is the explanation that he thinks he can reach shore faster by swimming than if he stays with the fish-laden boat. At any rate, all reach shore in a short time and there they receive an invitation.
Jesus invites them to breakfast on the beach. When they reach shore they discover not only Jesus but a charcoal fire, broiled fish, and bread. Jesus, in addition, asks them to bring some of theirfish. So, the net is drawn to land and there are 153 large fish in it. The bizarre interpretations some scholars force on the Scriptures never change either. Let me share with you what St. Augustine did with these fish. He suggested that since 10 is the number of the Law (the Ten Commandments) and since 7 is the number of grace (7 major gifts of the Spirit), and since 10 + 7 = 17 and the sum of all the digits, 1 + 2 + 3 . . . up to 17 equals 153, therefore, the unbroken net stands for the church and implies that there is room in the church for everyone. If you don’t quite follow that, don’t worry about it.
It seems more likely to me that John is simply exhibiting a common characteristic of fishermen—they love nothing more than to tell how many fish they have caught and how big they were. In fact, I heard about two fishermen who exhibited this tendency to a remarkable degree. They were swapping fish stories and one told of a vicious battle he once had with a 300-lb salmon. The other man listened attentively and then admitted he had never caught anything quite that large. However, his hook had snagged a lantern from the depths of a lake. The lantern was all rusted and had obviously been in the water for many years, but the amazing thing was that it was still lit. For a long time the first fisherman said nothing. Then he sighed deeply. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” he said slowly. “I’ll take 250 pounds off my fish if you’ll put out the light in your lantern.”
If it weren’t that John is writing under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, I’d suggest that perhaps the number of fish in those nets could be reduced about 2/3. But as it is, we have here is a fascinating bit of local color—a fisherman writing about what interests him most—the number of fish caught.
At any rate, the disciples accept Jesus’ invitation to have breakfast on the beach. This gracious offer to eat with Him speaks volumes to the disciples. It shows them that even in His resurrection glory Jesus is not unmindful of their needs. Even though His physical body is different, everything else is the same: He still loves and cares for them; He still offers encouragement and fellowship; and He still demonstrates a servant’s heart, as once again Jesus takes the place of a waiter, serving His disciples as He did so frequently during His earthly ministry.
Nor did any of this change when He ascended to the Father, for “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). Paul wrote years later, even while in prison, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19).
There is more to this story, however, than meets the eye. I believe Jesus’ primary purpose in confronting His disciples here at the Sea of Galilee is to get them to return to the kind of fishing that really counts—fishing for the souls of people. He wants them to throw their spiritual nets into the sea of humanity and allow the risen Lord to fill them up with the lives of men, women, and children who would place their faith in Him as their Lord and Savior. But before they are going to be willing to do so, they need to get back on track. Especially is that true of their leader, the one who instigated this fishing trip in the first place. So, we turn our attention in verse 15 to how Jesus offers restoration to a defeated disciple.
Jesus offers restoration to a defeated disciple. (15-17)
When the fish and chips are all gone, Jesus turns to Peter, the fisherman-turned-disciple-turned-fisherman, and with compassion and great pathos asks, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” It is rather curious to me that Jesus addresses Peter in the manner He does here. He uses Peter’s old name, the name that was his before Jesus met him. Remember, way back in chapter 1, when Jesus met Peter and greeted him by saying, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas, or Peter.” This was something of a play on words. The old name meant “pebble,” but Jesus wanted him to be a “rock,” so He changed his name to Rocky. His goal was to turn Peter from sandstone into granite.
The difficulty with Peter is that his new name had gone to his head. He came to believe he was a rock in his own right. And, of course, this led to his tragic downfall. So now Jesus goes back to the old name to remind Peter of his roots, where he came from.
Have you ever been tempted to think that whatever strengths of character God has developed in you are intrinsic to you and are of your own doing? Of course, you have; we all have. I think one of the gravest dangers for the believer is to attempt to use our gifts without relying on the power of God. If you have the gift of teaching the temptation is to employ your reasoning ability and speaking ability without relying on prayer or the power of God. If you have a great voice, you will be tempted to perform instead of minister. If you have the gift of helps you will be tempted to meet people’s needs from human resources. Peter has to be reminded that he isn’t a rock yet, and he would never be one without the Lord’s help.
Perhaps the best way to analyze the following dialogue is by looking for …
A triple question
A triple affirmation
A triple commission
Jesus’ first question to Peter asks him to compare his love for Jesus with his love for “these.” To what is Jesus referring? “Do you love more than you love these other disciples”? Probably not. “Do you truly love me more than these other disciples love Me”? Perhaps, for just a few weeks earlier Peter had declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” It’s possible Jesus is subtly reminding Peter of that boastful claim. But I think it more likely that Jesus is saying, “Do you love me more than you love these things—the sea, your boat, fishing, etc.?” In other words, “Peter, are you prepared to give it all up, to abandon all hope of a successful career, to give up a steady job and reasonable comfort, in order to devote yourself to what I called you to do?”
Peter responds to Jesus’ first question with an affirmation. He says, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” But Peter doesn’t use the same word for “love” that Jesus uses, and he does not claim that he loves Christ “more than these.” Our one English word “love” is used to translate at least four different Greek words, ranging all the way from erotic love to divine love. The word Jesus uses is agape, the highest form of love. He is in effect saying, “Simon, do you love me with a godly love, an unselfish love, a love that expects nothing in return? Are you willing to give up your life for me in whole-hearted devotion?” And Peter answers using a word for love that implies strong friendship and affection. It’s as though he says, “Lord, you know that I am extremely fond of you, but that is as much as I am willing to say after all my boasting. I’ve had to eat my words too often; no more.” And Jesus responds, “Feed My lambs.”
A second time Jesus asks him the exact same question, “Simon son of John, do you love Me with self-sacrificing, wholehearted devotion?” And a second time Peter gives the exact same answer, “Yes, Lord, You know that I am extremely fond of you.” But the third time Jesus asks the question, as found in verse 17, He uses the word for love that Peter used, “Simon son of John, are you extremely fond of me?” And the text says Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” I don’t think he was hurt that he had been questioned three times. I think he was hurt because Jesus switched words on him and condescended to his level.
But while it grieved him, he knew that to be honest with himself and with the one who knew all things, he could not yet claim total, unselfish love.
Now I don’t want to press the distinction between these words for love too much, for there are many scholars who tell us that the words agape and phile are often used synonymously. But while they may be synonymous in some contexts, I do not see how they can be in this context. Women, if you ask your husband, “Do you love me?”, are you satisfied with “Hey, I’m very fond of you,” or “I like you as I do my own sister,” or “You’re really a neat person.” No, I think not. You’re only satisfied when he uses the same word you use, “Yes, honey, I love you.” And, of course, you wish he’d say it occasionally without being asked.
But you’d probably rather hear your husband say, “I’m very fond of you,” than for him to say he loves you if he really doesn’t. The neat thing about this dialogue is that Jesus is willing to accept whatever level of love Peter is capable of. If personal fondness is where Peter is at, Jesus will accept that and still commission him to feed His sheep.
Now I see in this dialogue between Jesus and Peter some remarkable lessons worth pondering.
Jesus teaches lessons worth pondering.
Public confession is the answer to public sin. Do you know why Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved Him? This is the one who just weeks before publicly denied three times that he even knew Jesus. Now Jesus gives him the opportunity to publicly repent by allowing him three corresponding affirmations of allegiance to Jesus.
Some scholars see Jesus’ three-fold question as cruel. Well, I believe it was painful but not cruel. The cruel thing would have been to let the matter go on festering in Peter, so that throughout his entire life both he and the other disciples would think that he was somehow inferior and unworthy of serving Christ, though he had repented of his sin with weeping, as the Bible tells us. The kind thing was the public restoration so Peter and the others would henceforth know that Peter’s past was indeed past and that the Lord Himself had commissioned him to further service.
That is why the Bible calls for public confession of public sin. God does not wish to be cruel to us, though the experience of confession is painful. It is to end the matter so that we can pick up and go on with Jesus. When people who have sinned publicly confess publicly, and are forgiven publicly, they need have no fear of having their sin revealed.
God is willing to restore His servant to usefulness, even after grievous sin. What graciousness Jesus demonstrates when He tells Peter, “feed my lambs,” “take care of my sheep,” and “feed my sheep.” Peter has been a leader and has fallen. Jesus might have come to him and said, “All right, Peter, you can go home now and do the best you can as a fisherman. You are one of mine and I do not reject you. But, of course, I can never use you in leadership again.”
If Jesus responded like that, who could blame Him? He would certainly have been within His rights. In fact, how many times has the church said that to those who have been bruised: “You may still be a Christian and you can come to services, but since you are divorced or have gone bankrupt or have failed morally, you can never hold office or teach Sunday School or serve communion.” Is that how Jesus would respond? Of course not. He says to one who committed a dastardly, heinous crime, but who had thoroughly repented, “Feed my lambs.”
What, friends, is the prerequisite for useful service for Christ? It is not moral perfection, not an academic degree, not theological brilliance, not even great energy and vision. It is love for Jesus, issuing in a desire to serve Him.
I entitled my message today, “The Trouble with Fishing.” Well, what was the trouble with fishing? For Peter and his colleagues, the trouble was that Jesus had called them to be shepherds. That leads us to our third lesson:
Any job, any profession, any pastime can be a mistake and a hindrance if it isn’t what God has designed for us and if it isn’t done in His timing and in His power. When is the last time you asked, “Lord, what will you have me to do?” Success in your profession is no guarantee that God wants you there. A life of comfort and ease is certainly no indication that you’re in God’s will. At the same time, I do not want to leave anyone with the impression that certain professions like preaching or teaching or missionary service are intrinsically more sacred than others, like electrical engineering or photography or computer programming. It all boils down to God’s will for your life and your willingness to be in that will and to serve God where He has put you.
Conclusion: In closing I wish to read a portion of a letter from Walt Henrichsen, a discipler par excellence, which he sent to the laymen to whom he has been a mentor:
“People are constantly searching for better programs, literature, activities; God is looking for better men. The need of the hour is an army of men and women who view their vocations as their pulpits. Eight to five, Monday thru Friday is spiritual, not secular. They are in full-time Christian work. Their businesses and professions are their platform for the ministry.
God has ordained them to be His ambassadors in the marketplace, in the community—wherever it is that God has placed them. The work of the ministry has not been given to the church. It has not been given to the pastors and other professional Christian workers. Rather it has been given to the ordinary saint functioning for Christ in his world. The pastor’s job is to equip the laity for the work of the ministry.” [i]
The question still deserves to be asked, “Are you fishing today when God has something more significant for you to do?” I urge you to seek His face and ask Him this morning, “What do you want me to do with the rest of my life?” The motive for doing so certainly cannot be that God desperately needs you to keep His game plan together. As a matter of fact, He doesn’t need you at all, but He is willing to use you, just as you are. Will you serve Him just because you love Him?
DATE: April 17, 1994
Tags:
Restoration
Agape
Confession
[i] Walter A. Henrichsen, Disciples are Made, Not Born.