Soaking in the Resurrection #4
John 21:1-14
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 some clothes, for he was naked, 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.
Scripture does not tell us why Peter decided to go fishing not long after Jesus’ resurrection. Did he know it to be an activity which would enable him to think, process and ponder what had happened in recent days? Was he wanting to get in touch with the many experiences he had with Jesus, even miraculous encounters on the very lake where he was now out fishing? How was he feeling when he spent a long night out and caught nothing?
There is an earlier story of fishing that we read about in the other gospels – it takes place when Peter (then Simon) and Andrew are called to follow, right at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. For us who easily have access to all the gospels, we cannot help but think of this earlier story.
That first miraculous catch was the beginning of a new chapter for Peter for he began to follow Jesus and became one of his disciples, indeed one of the three, along with James and John who were arguably the ‘closest to him’. Perhaps this new catch of 153 fish marks the beginning of his next chapter, where he is invited to preach with power, stepping out in faith to give and share the gift of his time with Jesus to so many others. Maybe Jesus was wanting to encourage and strengthen him and remind him that he was not alone.
It might not be through fishing, but in these days of Eastertide, we too are invited to meet and encounter the Risen Lord. How might he choose to meet us in our lives, reminding us in powerful ways that we are not alone? Let’s ask for this grace and gift as Eastertide continues.
Mel Edwards