Morning Message Text: John 21: 1-19
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered.
6 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.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Morning Message:
Many of you know that this is probably my favorite story in all of scripture. I am drawn to it for some reason and when it comes up in the lectionary, every three years, I can’t resist, I must preach it. This is a text for me that I could preach without notes. I almost feel guilty reading from what I have written because this text is so close to my heart. I try to keep this message new and fresh, even though I have preached it so many times. There is a miracle that takes place in this story that we may not recognize as a miracle unless we take the time to dig in a little. If we go back to the beginning of the gospels, we find a similar story of Jesus being a fish finder. In today’s world that might not seem like a big deal; we have all kind of sophisticated equipment to help us find fish, and if we go fishing and find none then we simply go home and have something else for dinner. In Jesus’ time, if fishing was your trade, when you didn’t find fish, your family might not eat. Remember when Jesus called his first disciples. Do you remember who they were? Andrew, Peter, James, and John. What did Jesus say to them? Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. They left their boats and nets and all of their fishing gear behind; James and John even left their father Zebedee to follow Jesus. They were no longer fishermen.
Three years later, Jesus is gone, and Peter, the leader of the disciples, decides that he has nothing better to do but go back fishing. And everyone else follows the leader; great idea, we are coming too. Do you see what’s happening here? Peter is saying, I know how to do two things, follow Jesus and fish. Jesus is gone so instead of doing what he taught me, I’m going back to fishing. We need to look at this frame of mind that Peter is displaying because it is the same one that we find ourselves in after we come to Jesus. After the excitement and the thrill of our salvation wears off, instead of moving forward with Jesus, we want to take Jesus with us back to what we know, back to our old life. What we find when we become Christians and try to do that, is frustration and failure. The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. I feel their pain because my experience with fishing has resulted in the same many times. But this is different. These are experienced fishermen, they know what they are doing; they know how to fish; but still nothing. Once again, just like the first time that they saw him, Jesus stands on the shore and directs them to the fish. God doesn’t give up on us either. Even though we regress, he still calls us and reminds us of his will for our lives. Maybe as you hear this message, God is calling you from the shore, “ I will provide for you, follow me.”
There is so much here; I haven’t even got to my favorite part yet; the questions. It is titled in my Bible, Jesus reinstates Peter, but it’s so much more than that. Jesus is actually reinstating all of them and giving us a beautiful model for all of us to follow. Simon, son of John. Do you know what this is like? It’s like when your mother calls you by your full name. You know at that moment she is serious. Listen to the questions because they are not just for Peter. Do you love me more than these? These what? In Peter’s case he was probably referring to the fish. Peter, do you love me more than your old occupation? Do you love me more than what you think are the necessities of life? Do you trust in me enough to choose me and allow me to take care of your needs? Do you love me enough to do my will and live by my example? Do you? Then feed my lambs. Do what I have taught you to do for the last three years.
There are many different ways to ask someone if they love you. There is the very casual way, kind of innocent way, do you love me. The second time I believe sounded more like this, Peter, son of John, do you love ME? Do you love me in a personal way? Do you love me as Lord of your life and Savior of your soul, as God and creator, do you really feel love for me? Do you? If you do, then take care of my sheep. Bea Shepherd to other believers; teach them; look out for them; be responsible for them. Will you? In biblical times when someone had to ask you the same question a third time it was a very serious matter. Jesus is not playing here, and Peter knows it. The look that must have been in his eyes, and the conviction that Peter must have felt. Feed my sheep. Jesus goes on to lay Peter’s life out before him. Why did he do that? Maybe to show him how short his time on earth was and how much work there was to do. Peter, there is too much to do for you to be doing something as meaningless as fishing for a living. You were called to follow me. In my ministry; in my leadership; and yes, eventually to the cross. My church, the salvation of mankind, stands in the balance and I need you to love me enough to follow me. That message from Jesus is not just for Peter, but for us as well. We must all consider these three questions and one command from our Savior. What is Jesus asking of you?
In Christ’s Love and Peace
Pastor Bob
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