Breakfast on the Shore

John 21:1-14

Taken from an Evening Message

Sunday, January 6, 2013, at Champion Baptist Church

What would you have done after such a stressful month?  The disciples had seen their Leader arrested, executed, and then resurrected.  It didn't seem real to them so I think they just looked for some routine in their lives, a "return to normalcy" that would never actually happen, but they just decided to go fishing.  It’s not even all of them; only seven of them.  We can’t be sure who the missing four are, because two are unidentified, but one that is there is Thomas.  Nathaniel is another one that we haven’t heard much from, but he has held on, and has continued with the apostles. 

You may have heard Einstein’s famous quote about the definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”  The disciples were not insane, but I find it humorous that they do the same thing after the Resurrection that they did at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  They fished all night and caught nothing, but after all, this is the way they had “always” done it.  I find in my own life that I am caught up in that same vicious circle.  I want to make a suggestion.  If you feel that you are in a “rut,” be it spiritual, emotional, or in the work place, try something simple before you do something drastic.  Before you quit your job, sever a relationship, or change churches, ask yourself, “what am I looking for in my life, and what am I doing to accomplish that?”  Sometimes, it’s not the boat, it’s not the place in the lake; it’s just which side of the boat you are casting the net.  Try a change in your routine – ask, “what is not working in my situation that I keep on doing?”

I wonder if it crossed the disciples’ mind that maybe they should try the other side of the boat, but seeing the rub marks on their side of the boat, seeing the hooks where they hung the lanterns, they felt it would be just a little “too much trouble” to re-work the fishing arrangement.  All it took was a subtle suggestion from a Stranger on the shore that, at the time, they did not know was the Lord.  Could I suggest that you take a little inventory.  Ask yourselves, “What have I been doing that has not been doing any good?”  Realize, I’m not asking you to look for “bad” things in your lives – that’s what you expect preachers to do; I’m asking you to look for those things that, of themselves, are not evil, just fruitless.

Usually, we can see what’s going on.  Try looking a different direction, maybe even re-arranging the order of your daily routine.  Then, look for a “stranger on the shore,” because you might just get the Lord’s counsel through that person.  Most likely, you don’t need to ask a real “stranger.”  Talk to your spouse, your parents or children, your friends, or someone else that you trust.  Sometimes, people who are not looking from your point of view – from inside – can see something you did not see.

The results were immediate to the disciples.  The nets filled up.  I wonder some times if Peter later saw the significance of this moment that Jesus was training them to increase their effectiveness as “fishers of men.”  First, he preached at Pentecost to Jews from outside Palestine, including Greek speaking Jews.  Then, there were the Samaritans who heard his words and received the Holy Spirit.  Peter ended up with Simon, a tanner, not the most respected profession of devout Jews.  Then, he was summoned to the court of Cornelius, a gentile, and saw the Spirit of God descend on them.  I wonder if it clicked that the Spirit of God had led him to cast the net in other directions, and see them fill up.  The number of fish, 153, has been seen by many as symbolic.  At times, that has been the official UN count of recognized nations of the world.  The fish are called “large” fish – they were all of importance and value.  Jesus had told them that the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached to every nation of the earth before the end came. 

I think it also interesting that they had to find another way of harvesting them.  The boat did not work; they couldn’t just drag the nets up over the side like they had always done.  That was fine for smaller catches, but not this one.  They instead left the boat and dragged the net to land.  I can only begin to think of all this symbolizes: “But we’ve always pulled them into this boat, and taken them to shore this way.”  The Gospel of the Kingdom says that we don’t trust the boat; we concentrate on the harvest instead.

When they got the fish to shore, something was happening that has always perplexed me: Jesus asks them to bring him some of the fish.  That alone is not puzzling; rather, it’s the fact that Jesus was already cooking fish.  The most I can tell you is the message that the Lord will win whom He will win; His kingdom will increase, but He has chosen to involve us, not for His benefit, but for ours.  The Harvest is for our blessing, our edification.  The Harvest has been determined; what is not sure is your part in it, or mine.  What will you do to become a part of the great catch of fish?  The resurrected Christ invites us all to breakfast.  I find it interesting that in Revelation, He calls us to commitment, and says that if we will open the door, He will have “supper” with us.  That’s the fellowship meal.  But to those who are willing to be part of the great harvest, He invites us to breakfast.  Many have called that the most important meal of the day, the one that sets the tone of all we do.  Would you be willing to have breakfast with the Risen Christ? You are invited.

 

Peter had jumped in the water in his enthusiasm to see Jesus, leaving the other six to drag the nets through the water to the land.  When Jesus gave the command for fish, however, it was Peter who returned and finished the job.  For two thousand years, faithful believers have been pulling in the nets for the great harvest, and now, in these times, which may be the last days, the Lord Jesus is looking for people who will finish the job, through their praying, their giving, and their going.  Will you be a part of that powerful force?