Peter’s second catch
Series: Simple. Quiet. Present. | Bible text: John 21:3–11
Peter betrayed Jesus, the disciples fled, and Jesus died. Although they had experienced him as the Risen One, somehow he was no longer there. Did any of it still make sense? In resignation, the disciples fell back into their old ways in search of fulfilment. To no avail – then Jesus came.
Part 1 – Slipping back into old habits
«Simon Peter said to them, »I’m going fishing.” They said to him, “We’ll go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing’ (John 21:3 LUT).
The old life. In Luke 5, Peter and his friends had already learnt that, relying on his own resources and following his own ways, he would catch nothing in the darkness of the world. Peter takes the lead down the wrong path, and the others simply follow. Haven’t they already encountered Jesus twice as the Risen One? What on earth is going on?
That is exactly the question we might sometimes ask ourselves in our own lives. We are born-again Christians. God dwells in our hearts – but where is the joy, where is the victory, where is the strength? Shouldn’t we take the initiative again, on our own responsibility? Where is Christ right now, anyway?
And so it is that those who ought to know that Jesus can do anything resign themselves to falling back on what they have always done: fishing for themselves. But nothing has changed. They still catch nothing.
It’s simply this: you can’t catch anything at night. The world – the place where many seek abundance through selfishness – hasn’t changed. Jesus says: ‘Without me you can do nothing.’ Without HIM, there is no abundance
Part 2 – Jesus is, speaks and asks us
«But when morning came, Jesus was standing on the shore, though the disciples did not realise it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, »Children, do you have anything to eat?” They replied, “No.”’ (John 21:4–5 LUT).
In the morning – in the light – Jesus stands on the shore
Jesus stands in the dawn – where the light is breaking – and has nothing to do with the night. The dawn must break for us too, before our lives can change. He stands on the shore – he is there – not far away. He has already reached his destination. He is with the Father, where we too wish to go. He stands on solid ground, whilst the disciples are still sitting in the rocking boat.
The disciples do not recognise Jesus, even though he is speaking – why?
Why don’t you recognise Jesus? It’s broad daylight, Jesus is no more than 60 metres away and is speaking. Why is it that we, too, often fail to recognise Jesus?
Jesus says – Children – do you have nothing to eat?
Children – He speaks to His beloved – He has a special relationship with us – He is our loving Saviour – like a father – full of care.
Don’t you have anything to eat? – He knows exactly what we need! We, too, need the bread and water of life. We can find them in him.
They reply – no
The disciples reply. Many people do not answer Jesus’ concerned question, or are not honest. The disciples, however, are different: ‘No – we are in need. We are in a terrible state. We are suffering hardship. We need help.’.
Part 3 – A Review of the Life Lesson – Do we find fulfilment in following Jesus?
«But he said to them, »Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.’ (John 21:6 LUT).
But he said to them…: Christ gives clear instructions – he still speaks to us today.
Cast your net on the right-hand side – and you will find…
In Greek, ‘on the right’ – dexios meros – means ‘receive this from the right-hand side’ – ‘receive your share of happiness’. It is just as if Jesus were saying this to his disciples here: ‘Do take the good things I have prepared for you.’.
So they cast their nets – and caught vast quantities of fish
How desperate the disciples must have been to accept advice from just anyone who happened to come along. After all, they hadn’t recognised Jesus. They were, after all, experienced fishermen. And then someone comes along and tells them, in the morning when no fish are being caught: ‘Cast your nets on the right-hand side.’ As if those 4–5 metres made any difference. But their longing for what is good makes them obey the stranger. This longing for what is truly good – for the fruit of love – leads them back to the God of love.
«Then the disciple whom Jesus loved 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 naked – and jumped into the water.’ (John 21:7 LUT).
John immediately recognises his Lord in love
A word is spoken, they obey, they experience abundance. This «mechanism of love» immediately shows John that it must be Christ.
Is it the same for us? How is Jesus recognised? Signs and wonders – so they say – will also be performed by the Antichrist. Jesus, however, is recognised by his love.
Simon Peter hears it indirectly – he himself is no longer able to recognise Christ
Sometimes we need siblings who show us the Lord. Who say to me or to you: ‘Hey – that’s the Lord.’.
Peter was naked and was putting on his outer garment
In the Bible, nakedness is a symbol of guilt; Peter had forgotten his salvation and had given himself over to despair, which is why he had slipped back into his old life. Now Jesus comes and shows them once again who he is. So Peter girds himself once more and puts on his outer garment.
The devil often tries to accuse us, God’s children, of our failings. At such times, like Peter, we must put on the robe of forgiveness found in Christ and his grace.
And throws himself into the water
To throw oneself into the water (ballo – to throw). He submits himself anew to Jesus.
He throws himself into the water – purification.
«But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness» (1 John 1:9 LUT).
He also wants to return to Jesus as soon as possible. He doesn’t wait until the disciples’ boat docks with Jesus again. That is true repentance – not just remorse. He doesn’t just realise he has gone astray – he wants to return to Jesus.
Part 4
«The other disciples, however, came in the boat, for they were not far from the shore—only about two hundred cubits away—and they hauled in the net full of fish» (John 21:8 LUT).
It’s paradoxical. Now that Jesus has revealed himself, the situation has changed completely in an instant. It is morning and there is light. They are not far from the shore – in the darkness they hadn’t realised this – and their nets are full of fish.
Even in our own time, we are not far from the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ – but in the darkness of our times and the entanglements of our lives, we often overlook this. If we look to Christ, light is shed on all the important questions: where should we go, what is the goal, and where can we find what we need?.
Part 5
«Jesus said to them, »Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter climbed into the boat and hauled the net ashore; it was full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three in number. And even though there were so many, the net did not tear.’ (John 21:10–11 LUT).
Bring some of the fish…
We are to lead people to Jesus. That is the true task of Peter and the disciples.
Peter wades into the water to bring the fish ashore
We can’t do it without getting in the water. We are called to live in this world with Christ. We can’t just stand on the shore and wait for the fish to leap ashore.
The fish are coming ashore, the nets aren’t tearing, success is assured
The first time round, so much was still uncertain. They caught an unknown number of fish; both boats were full, but the nets were in danger of tearing and the boats of sinking.
This time it’s completely different:
- Peter walks confidently into the water.
- He pulls the fish safely ashore
- They’re big fish
- There are 153 fish
- The nets don’t tear – despite the large number of fish
- The fish have been counted – 153 large fish.
Final thoughts:
- Sometimes we lose sight of Jesus and fall back into old habits
- But Jesus is already here; he calls on us to live out our discipleship properly, in accordance with his instructions
- Then we will experience once again what Jesus showed us before: we will be able to lead people to Jesus
- That is, if we are prepared to go out amongst people and bear witness to Christ’s work. Then we will catch fish – many and large ones – and yet our nets will not tear.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible passage: John 21:3–11
- Why do the disciples fall back into their old ways of behaving, even though they have met the Risen One?
- Do you ever feel a sense of resignation in your walk with Christ – times when you don’t recognise Jesus, even though he is there?
- What can you do in situations like this? What would «casting the net on the right-hand side…» mean to you?
- How do you deal with the devil’s accusations in your life? What would it mean for you to put on the «outer garment» again and gird yourself?
- What conclusions do you draw for yourself from this story about fishing?
