I'm Going Fishing

“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3)

I remember my mom always got a kick out of this verse. For some reason, it tickled her to know that Peter was a fisherman – after all, my dad used to fish, hunt, and trap on the Mississippi River after he came home from World War 2. He grew up around the river, so their first home together as a married couple was near the levee. I guess in her mind, mom could relate to Peter’s frustration during this period and his desire to go back to the familiar.

We find ourselves in that strange period between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His ascension back into heaven. It was a busy time for Jesus. He had much to do and say after His resurrection in order to satisfy His disciples and followers that He really was alive again. Reading and comparing all four gospels, we find Jesus making appearances in a variety of places and with different groups of followers; however, here He appears to an odd gathering of His disciples. They were not His usual three – Peter, James, and John (at James and John weren’t named by name); instead, they were men who decided to accompany Peter on this random fishing trip.

We really don’t know why Peter chose to do this. I mean, it was his profession at one time, so there’s that. We don’t know if he just got bored waiting around for Jesus to give them more instruction or direction, maybe his wife got onto him because Jesus was now out of the picture and they needed money – we really don’t know. We do know, however, that Peter was a leader of men. He was the outspoken one, the brash one, the crude one of the group, and we all know men like to follow someone like that. Somewhere in my adult years I learned that if you don’t know what to do, just act like you do and others will go along with it. God only knows how many pastors through the centuries have done just that – and gotten the answers they needed much like Peter did.

If you will remember, Peter is feeling pretty down on himself at this point. During Jesus’ arrest and trial, Peter had (as prophesied) denied Jesus three times. We read in scripture that upon the third denial, Jesus turned and made eye contact with Peter. He didn’t speak to him, but much can be said through the eyes. Jesus went on to be subsequently tried, convicted, and crucified. During this period between the resurrection and Christ’s ascension, Jesus had made several appearances to His disciples, but now He was doing other things – appearing to others and, no doubt, speaking to their doubts and fears. In light of that, Peter decided to go back to the old ways.

Unlike many churches and pastors today, Jesus showed compassion on Peter. He knew the condition of man’s heart, so Jesus came to him in his hour of frustration and confusion to reassure him and (ultimately) to re-instate him. Peter had pretty much written himself off after his denial of Christ, but Jesus had other plans. Paul wrote in Romans 11:29: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” In other words, God never discards those for whom He has plans. You may think you have botched the whole plan, but God knows how to restore and refire that vision and purpose in your life. Let’s look, briefly, at Jesus’ words to Peter (found later in verses 15-18).

After Jesus had taken communion with the disciples on the seashore (broke the fish and the bread), He turned to Peter and said, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me with a never-dying love more than these (fish)” In other words, do you still love Me enough to fulfill your purpose (being a fisher of men), rather than going back to your old life? And what was Peter’s response? “Lord, you know I love you with a brotherly love.” After a bit more talk, Jesus asked him the second time, “Peter, do you love Me with a never-dying love?” Again, Peter answered Him, “Lord, you know I love you with a brotherly love. I really like you a lot.” After a bit longer, Jesus turned to Peter the third time and asked him, “Peter, do you really love me with a brotherly love?” The Bible tells us that Peter was upset that Jesus asked him a third time, but according to John McArthur’s sermon from forty years ago, I believe it was because Jesus challenged Peter’s claim to love Jesus with a brotherly love.

I have learned over the years that it’s one thing to be challenged for your actions, but quite another to have your motives questioned. I’ll give Peter credit, however, for being upfront with Jesus with his answers. He never confessed to an undying love, an agape love – he only confessed to a brotherly love, a phileo love. That was the best he could offer. To be brutally blunt, I believe that is most Christian’s level of love for Jesus yet today. People turn away from the church every day because they feel they have been imposed upon enough, the pastor’s sermon was a little too harsh, someone said something they didn’t like, or whatever. Some of them are smart enough to realize that it wasn’t Jesus they were mad at, but His people. Others, however, take it all the way out and stop believing in Jesus, turn their backs on God, and walk away from the whole “religious” thing. The hardest thing I have ever had to contend with – both as a man and as a Christian – is to own up to my mistakes or shortcomings. Given the opportunity to repent, I will confess to my sins, but also add on the reasons or explanation/excuses. “Yes, God, I did cuss, but if that guy hadn’t …” If I would only stop at the “but” and ask for forgiveness I would be ok. It’s the blame game that short-circuits forgiveness. Enough of that, let’s get back to Peter and Jesus’ discussion between themselves.

Peter denied Christ three times. Jesus gave him three confessions of restoration, of checking his heart and determining where he stood in his relationship with Christ. At this point in time, Jesus was NOT condemning Peter – He was doing a “gut-check.” Peter confessed to the best he had and Jesus was ok with that -for now. A few days later, Jesus ascended back into heaven, leaving His disciples with the command to go into the city (of Jerusalem) and await the coming of the Holy Spirit (found in Acts 2). Somewhere between he and Jesus’ talk on the beach and the Upper Room experience, Peter had solidified his faith in Christ once again, for we see him stand in the assembly and defend those who, like he, had been filled with the Holy Spirit. His first public sermon yielded about three thousand souls for the kingdom of Christ. Later on, according to historical accounts, Peter was tried, convicted, and crucified for preaching the gospel. At his crucifixion, Peter asked to be crucified upside down so as not to mirror the death of Jesus. He didn’t want to take glory away from Christ for His sacrificial death on the cross for you and me.

My friend, I don’t know where you find yourself in this story. You might be one of the “silent” disciples – the ones who had an encounter with Christ in the secret place. You might be one of those who, like Peter, have decided that Christ is done with you, so you go back to your old life – following the example of someone else you know who has turned away from the faith. You might be like Peter, who led away others who were also disenfranchised with church and God. I don’t know your situation. I can only echo the words of Paul when he exhorted us that God never changes His mind about our purpose, our function, in the body of Christ. He equipped you with a personality, certain abilities and gifts, and placed you where He knew He could use you best. You may have “blown it” temporarily, but I’m here to tell you that Jesus wants to re-instate you, to re-ignite that passion and that hope, and to put you back into service. I can no longer run around the countryside jumping fences and chasing criminals. In the same manner, you may not be able to do some of the things you used to do, either. BUT, God still has a plan and what you have left is really what He was after in the first place. Can you still breathe? Then pray. Can you still speak? Then encourage others. Can you still sing? Then ring out the glorious praises of our Father. Can you tell a good story? Then tell your story to the younger ones who need to hear it. Can you bake or cook? Then share that gift with others in the Name of Jesus. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it to the glory of God.

I pray you will hear the voice of God speaking to you today and, further, that you will answer that call. Don’t push Him away out of guilt or shame. Let Him love you, like Peter, back into your calling. Follow the plan He lays out for you and help us usher in the kingdom of God. We need you.

Be blessed.