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John 21:1–8 (ESV)
1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 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. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on 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 of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
One of the things that I often enjoy doing is going to the national gatherings for our denomination (ECO). While I’m there I’m often blessed by the music, engaged and challenged by the speakers, but most importantly I’m renewed by my times of fellowship with other believers.
I usually come home determined to jump back into ministry and my relationships in fresh new ways.
However, it’s not too long before the excitement ebbs away and the reality of the work week settles in. There are emails to catch up on, work to be done, the demands of family and my dog that need attention, and it isn’t long before I find myself slipping into some familiar patterns and routines.
That’s what I imagine happens with Peter and the other disciples. The unbelievable has just happened. Jesus has risen from the dead. They’ve seen and touched Jesus and spent time with Him. Jesus had given them their marching orders. Jesus said that He was sending them into the world as the Father had sent Him and they were given the gift of the Spirit.
Now what?
“I’m going fishing,” Peter says, going back to the familiar, going back to old routines while he and the others try to figure out what to do next.
Instead of going out into the world and proclaiming the Gospel message, Peter, and some of the other disciples, for whatever reason, decide to go fishing. What’s interesting is that we’re told that they caught “nothing” (verse 3).
They fail. These experienced fishermen work all night long and catch…, nothing.
I find it incredible that Jesus meets them in their failure. Jesus doesn’t come to them while they are praying, or while they are proclaiming the Gospel, or while they are studying scripture. No. Jesus meets them in their failure.
The disciples don’t recognize Jesus as this encounter begins and it’s interesting how it all unfolds.
Jesus first asks them how they are doing and the disciples, to their credit, admit their defeat. Jesus then instructs them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. Again, to their credit, they act in obedience, and suddenly their nets are filled, and then they suddenly recognize that “It’s the Lord!”
This passage seems to be setting the scene for what will follow in the rest of the chapter, but there is something wonderful for us to learn here. There are times, perhaps often, when our work and our relationships seem to produce nothing or very little at all.
But know this, Jesus meets us in those empty moments, and I believe John is encouraging us to keep watch for Jesus, to listen for His voice, and do what He tells us to do. There is a vast treasure for us to find there, that we can only find in those empty moments with Jesus.
It’s there, in the silence, in the quiet, in that emptiness where we align ourselves to His plans and purposes. It’s there that something completely unexpected and wonderful will happen.
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott
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