John 21:1-19
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 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 after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to 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 there were so many fish. That 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 had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish 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, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:1-19 (NRSVUE)
I love to fish. This may surprise those of you who know me. I don’t exactly count fishing as one of my hobbies. In fact, the last time I fished was about five years ago in Maine. But growing up, I spent summers in Mississippi with my grandparents who fished local lakes. The best part of fishing was of course catching fish. It was exciting when as a kid I caught a little brim or bass off the dock, and it was exciting when as an adult, I caught a large striper in a boat out where the Kennebec River meets the Atlantic Ocean. But every fisherman knows you have to be patient to catch fish. And sometimes the fish are not biting or are just not there. For all the anticipation, each fishing trip out may not mean you are coming home with fish.
Our passage here picks up after the death of Christ on a morning where some of the disciples had gone fishing. Simon Peter and Thomas among others had fished all night without catching a single fish. They were tired and disappointed. But Jesus called out to them from the shore telling them to try again. When the men threw the nets over the right side of the boat as advised, they pulled up so many fish that the nets should have split but they remained intact as the men got the fish to the shore. At that point, the men begin to realize it was Jesus who had instructed them and was waiting for them on the shore.
This is the third time Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after his death. It seems that Jesus is intent on getting a message to Peter which means he meets Peter where he is – catching fish or trying to catch fish. Jesus wants his “rock” to understand he is forgiven and called. Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter loves him, symbolizing the three times Peter denied him. Although Peter seems hurt when Jesus asks him the third time, Jesus tells him each time to “feed my lambs,” “tend my sheep,” and “feed my sheep.” Jesus is letting Peter know he is called to be a part of his church and to build his church.
I love this story. I know - it’s about fishing, but it’s also about a loving God who is forgiving and willing to meet us where we are.
Questions for Reflection:
- What do you think of this story? Does this story about catching a lot of fish get your attention? (as it did mine)
- How does God meet you on your level at times?
Prayer:
Loving Father, thank you so much for caring about us in so many ways. Thank you for meeting us right where we are. By providing assurances that you are always with us, as you did with the disciples, we continue with our steadfast faith in you. We have faith that you died and rose again so that we might have eternal life. Amen
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