Read John 21:1-14 What do I do now, Lord?

 

John 21 part 1

I love to dive into a story like this one, questioning the events and even putting myself into it as one of the participants. I invite you to come along on this journey with me and see what we can discover.  First of all, read John 21:1-14 through twice, slowly.

On reading John 21, I wondered, “Why did Peter go fishing?”.  I think he didn’t know what else to do next; he had no clear leading, everything had changed and was not what he expected.  Fishing was what he knew, his comfort zone – so he went back to what he did before.  He doesn’t even know, really, if he blew it and is no longer an apostle.  So he’s looking backwards; going backwards even. He’s reverting back to his old ways.  Note that Peter is still a leader, and the others are still following him. Lord, may we never lead others the wrong way.

So off they went. What do you think they should have been doing?  I think they should have been waiting for Jesus – it’s what they were told to do.  That would involve trusting.  And they didn’t catch anything through their own efforts – how frustrating.   Could he (we) be saying to the Lord, “Let me go back to how it was before.  I miss it.  You don’t seem to be giving me anything different so I’d better do what I know so I at least I’m doing something and making money”?

Put yourself in this passage. What does the boat represent in your life?  Is it the past and what you know, or what you own? Ask the Lord to show you.

Jesus stands on the shore and calls to the disciples, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”  He’s on shore – He could have appeared in the boat.  But maybe He was where they should’ve been.  And note Jesus calls them “friends” (in the Greek: children).  No condemnation in that sentence.  He already knows their situation – He couldn’t see that they had no fish in their boat from 100 yards away (physically) but He sums up their dilemma.  Notice He didn’t ask if they caught any fish, just if they had any.  Is that significant to you?

Jesus goes on to tell them to “throw down your nets on the right side”.  In the earlier account of a miraculous catch in Luke 5 He says “let down your nets”, but here it is “throw”.  A much more deliberate action, almost violent.  What is God asking you to throw down and trust Him? And on the RIGHT side; what does that mean for you?  Are you fishing on the wrong side of the boat?  Are you looking so intently at one side that you can’t see any other sides?

Once they threw down the nets in a deliberate action – meaning once they obeyed – they had a harvest, a blessing, a catch.  It was then John said “It is the LORD”.  Peter wrapped his coat around him – why? Because he isn’t going back? because it wasn’t proper to greet someone without one? (NIV notes say that).  Because he was again leaving it all behind?

They didn’t recognize Jesus’ presence until they obeyed – but He was there all along, even when they didn’t recognize Him.  Why the repeat of the Luke 5 miracle?  A reminder? Was this the redemption of Peter? Peter wasn’t walking on the water this time.  Nor does he show fear or hesitation.  Jesus is there.  He wants to be with Him. He leaves his friends to do the work of hauling in the net…let the others finish up what is behind, is that the lesson? Leave wealth, possessions, any lingering sense of past life.  Leave what I was to become who I will be.   Take some time to think about that.

Peter rushes to Jesus and a fire is prepared for him.  Welcome.  Warmth. Not rebuke or rejection – no mention of betrayal or of turning back to fishing.  His call was “Follow ME”, but when Jesus was no longer with them all the time, he couldn’t follow, right?

But here Jesus is and Peter wants to be “with Him” in the old way.  Jesus has a fire with fish and bread.  Where did He get those? Another miracle, perhaps?

Jesus’ first words to Peter: “bring some of the fish you have just caught”.  The fish Peter left behind.  He runs back to help – he climbs aboard.  What does that symbolize?  Jesus acknowledges, validates and wants him to bring some of what he caught but he leaves the rest.  Peter brings it to Jesus and gives it to Him.  Is this a cleansing, a renewal, a sanctifying?  Previously when Peter followed Jesus he left everything; now Jesus is asking him to bring some of it. What could that represent? It’s such a huge catch (again) but the net isn’t torn – it’s not broken, but he has to leave it still.

Jesus’ gives the invitation: “Come and eat”.  We know there’s more to come for Peter but he needs to be fed first. We need to come to Jesus for our food as well.  Sit down for a while.  Eat the food He has prepared and some of what I brought.  Lord, what are you saying to us?

Jesus served them first before He moved on to His talked with Peter.   And they KNEW it was the Lord.  You too will know when it is the Lord.  After your obedience.

We’ll finish the story next time.