Transcript

Fishing For Men

John 21:1-14
Sunday, April 25, 2004
Pastor Randy Smith

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You and your other fishing partners are exhausted. You have cast your net countless times only to draw it back to the boat empty. After a night of intense labor you have nothing to show for your efforts. The morning sun begins to bake your skin. You arms are fatigued. Your hope of a plentiful catch is shattered. Thus you hoist the stone anchor, raise the sails and head for the shore, tired and disappointed.

While washing your nets, the new religious teacher from Nazareth happens to be passing by. At His request you agree to take Him onto your boat, as He desires to teach the crowds standing on the shore. After His instruction, He implores you to go out to deeper waters and let down your nets just one more time. Despite the apparent meaninglessness of such a request you comply.

Instantly the nets are full of fish. More fish than you've ever seen in one catch before. So many fish that the nets begin to break. So many fish that you need to signal other boats to assist. So many fish that the boats begin to sink when the fish are finally hauled aboard!

Your excitement suddenly turns to fear. An awkward feeling comes upon you. You realize that this is no ordinary man. You know this Man can see more than schools of fish. He can read the innermost thoughts of your soul. He seems so pure and righteous and holy. And you know your heart is dirtier than your body having fished all night. You begin to feel very uncomfortable in His presence. Why did you allow Him onto your boat? Why did you put the nets down at His command? Without much conscious thought the words just spill out of your mouth, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man" (Lk. 5:9)!

When you open your eyes, He's still there. Is He offended? Is He hurt? Is He mad? He pauses for what seems like hours and says, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men" (Lk. 5:10; cf. Mk. 1:17). You leave everything and follow Him (Lk. 5:11).

About three years later this same Man is crucified on a cross and has come back from the dead. You've seen His resurrected body with your own eyes. Once again you find yourself fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Once again you've encountered a night of fruitless toil. Once again He bids you to lower your nets one more time. Once again your catch is abundant. Once again He confronts you with a spiritual commission to fish for men. Once again you feel dirty in His presence having recently denied Him three times.

Last week we learned that Jesus gave His disciples a Great Commission. In verse 21 of chapter 20 Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." We learned that the church is mandated to evangelize, disciple new converts in the faith and then encourage them to begin the same process in others. This is the objective and purpose of our existence. We are to be disciples engaged in the process of making disciples.

Beginning this sermon I spoke of a successful fishing adventure from Luke 5 at the start of Christ's ministry, immediately followed by the words, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men" (Lk. 5:10). Now in John 21 we read about another successful fishing adventure at the end of Christ's ministry, immediately preceded by the words, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (Jn. 20:21). Do you see a connection? Do you see the priority of this Great Commission as it bookends Christ's ministry? Do you see some encouraging symbolism that twice links successful fishing with Christ's Commission to make disciples?

This morning we'll unfold this living parable and see how it encourages us with our responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission.

1. FOCUS ON THE FISHING (verses 1-3)

Verse 1 and 2 clearly describe the setting of this account.

After a week at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples left Jerusalem and traveled about 75 miles north to their "home base" in Galilee. In Galilee, according to Mark 16:7, they were once again promised to meet the resurrected Christ. You can imagine their anticipation.

On this specific occasion seven of the Apostles were gathered together: Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the two sons of Zebedee (James and John) and two other unnamed disciples. They were gathered at the Sea of Tiberias also known as the Sea of Galilee. While by the water Peter spontaneously said in the presence of them all (verse 3), "I am going fishing." The others agreed; they boarded the boat and caught nothing.

Many commentators seek to find significance in the disciple's return to fishing. You will recall that they were just commissioned to reach the world for Christ. Have they disobeyed Jesus and returned to their former profession? Some have gone so far to say their fishing endeavor was "unthinkable" (Barrett) and "one of complete apostasy" (Hoskyns). Others have said the Apostles were "men without purpose" (Morris). There may be a grain of truth to these comments, but it could also be reading too much into one fishing episode. Maybe these guys simply had to eat!

More significant, I believe, is the fact that the disciples worked their fingers to the bone all night and caught nothing. Let's remember, these living parables have meanings. Especially in John when the author prefers to call every miracle a "sign" and the author is very selective in the events he chooses to record (Jn. 20:30; 21:24-25). Therefore, if catching fish in the sea depicts catching souls in the world, there is an important lesson for both the disciples and us. "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psm. 127:1). We need Jesus in the boat if we are to be successful. Our "fishing for men" will be in vain without the presence of Jesus in the Holy Spirit (Jn. 20:22). We hearken Christ's own warning from John 15:5, "For apart from Me you can do nothing."

Think about this for a moment! The calling to the Great Commission is audacious! We are to win the world for Christ. We are to tell people that they are to leave their idols and commit themselves completely to Jesus Christ: A Person they cannot see, a Person that was crucified on a cross, a Person who is still rejected by most of the "civilized" world. Then we are to disciple these new converts in the faith. We are to invest countless hours into their lives. We are to be patient with their immaturity. We are to consider their needs greater than our own. Then we are to send them out to disciple others. To a world that often rejects their message. To a world that will ridicule, ostracize and hate them. To a world spiritually blinded and greatly in love with its sin. That's why I say the calling is audacious! From a human perspective, it's impossible! Is there any doubt that apart from Jesus Christ we, like the disciples, will fish without results, or more likely, simply refuse to go fishing.

Why do so many Christians often show their most fruitful evangelism during the early years of their conversion? I believe it's because they, like the disciples are frustrated. The cast continually comes back empty. The more the night wears on, the colder their heart becomes. They can't recall their last successful fishing expedition. Their hopes of a great catch have been dashed. The results have not been worthy of the expense. They're tired of washing the same empty fishing net. They're tired of getting cut by that unexpected hook. They're exhausted! They're discouraged! They're frustrated! And the attitude has now settled in, "Why bother?!" I'll keep the houseboat tied to the dock and throw my fishing pole and tackle overboard!

I believe we've all been there! Possibly some of you are there right now. Maybe all this talk about the Great Commission has produced nothing but frustration and guilt in your life. Well, let me remind you, apart from Jesus, you can do nothing! And He is there to forgive, strengthen, encourage, and enable you to get back out into the ocean of the world to fish for men. Jesus does not want you to be overwhelmed, disappointed or frustrated with the greatest commission He has given to the church - but Satan does! Jesus wants you to be successful. Jesus wants you to reap the harvest of souls He has called to Himself from eternity past. Jesus wants you to be a fisherman with joy, passion and great anticipation. And even when there appears to be no measurable results (as there often does), we recall the words from last week's sermon. "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet (believe)" (Jn. 20:29). Rephrased: "Blessed are those who do not see conversions, but still believe their evangelistic efforts are not in vain." We do not always know how God will use our witness. "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7). And though we love to see conversions, let's remember, the Lord doesn't count the souls we save, but He does count our faithfulness. And a witness for Christ is always a sweet fragrance to God (2 Cor. 2:15). With this in mind we can be (1 Cor. 15:58) "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that (our) toil is not in vain in the Lord."

2. STRANGER ON THE SHORE (verses 4-8)

Well, the disciples certainly thought their fishing trip was in vain as we move to the second point. Verse 4 says "the day was now breaking. No doubt these men were tired, frustrated and disappointed. The upcoming sun and the empty nets wrote "failure" in their minds. However, as their boats hugged the coastline they spotted a Stranger on the shore. Verse 4 tells us that it was Jesus, but like Mary Magdalene (Jn. 20:14), their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

The Stranger spoke. Verse 5, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" A common line often exchanged between fishing companions. In this case the grammar expects the negative answer. Maybe this Stranger had fished all night only to come up empty handed too. Maybe He wanted to take a sarcastic jab at the disciples' futile efforts. Whatever His motives, the disciples reply with a brief and humbling, "No." It's not that they had fish but were hiding their secret fishing spot. It's that they honestly came up empty handed after working hard all night. They were skunked!

In response the Stranger said (verse 6a), "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." After their fruitless efforts, it's hard to believe they listened to this Stranger on the shore. However, like any good fisherman, there's always time for one more cast. There's always hope in another fisherman's advice. There's always strength in desperation.

"So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish" (Jn. 21:6b).

We are reminded in this living parable on evangelism that: We fish, but Christ is the One who draws souls to Himself. We work hard, but Christ is the One on whom we depend. We often fail, but Christ meets us in these times of helplessness. We are weak, but Christ gladly imparts His strength. We alone are fruitless, but Christ grants us success.

I believe the obvious miracle removed the spiritual scales from their eyes. John was first to identify the Stranger. Immediately, in verse 7 he said, "It is the Lord." John's confession is more than just a personal identification. The phrase has been uttered by countless Christians also on the heels of any spiritual success. When we by faith see the Lord's unseen hand at work we recognize it! Hey, great lesson! It's the Lord! Hey, obedient child! It's the Lord! Hey, great solo! It's the Lord! Hey, great offering! It's the Lord! Hey, great catch! It's the Lord! You see, if we depend on Christ for everything, our natural response will be to ascribe all praise to Christ when we receive!

While John may have been the first to recognize the Lord, Peter in his typical style was the first to react to the Lord. The remainder of verse 7 says, "So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea."

Gary Burge provides for us an historical perspective. "The verb "to dress" (diazonymmi) actually refers to wrapping or tucking clothes around oneself (as one would do a rope or toga). In 13:4 (the same verb is used as) Jesus thus "wraps" (diazonymmi) a towel around Himself at the foot-washing. Here Peter is wearing a worker's smock (epedytes) on the boat, but he wants to swim to the shore to meet the Lord. Because he is naked (gymnos) underneath the smock, when he hears that Jesus is on the shore, he tucks or wraps his smock into his belt to give him a tight fit and leaps into the water" (Burge, John, p. 584).

More significant than Peter's wardrobe is Peter's response to the Lord. In the first fishing miracle, you'll remember Peter recognized his sinfulness and told Holy Jesus to depart from his presence. Can we conclude in this second episode that Peter was more aware of his sin (having lived with Jesus for three years) but also more aware of God's grace? Now in this miracle, Peter does not want Christ to depart, but actually makes every attempt to be closer to His presence, even if it meant jumping out of the boat.

Furthermore, you may recall the earlier account back in Matthew 14 when Peter first jumped out of the boat. "Peter said to (Jesus), 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt'" (Mt. 14:28-31)? Can we conclude that Peter demonstrated great faith this time, leaping into the water without hesitation when he saw the presence of the Lord?

3. BREAKFAST ON THE BEACH (verses 9-14)

We cannot be sure how or when Peter arrived at the shore, but we do know, according to verse 8 that the other disciples did not follow Peter's lead. "But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish."

As we move to the final point allow me to read the remainder of this section. Beginning in verse 9, "So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught." Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples ventured to question Him, "Who are You?" knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead" (Jn. 21:9-14).

A few observations:

First, it's hard to win souls for Christ if we are not confident in our relationship with Christ. Peter had just denied His Lord three times. Would Jesus forgive him? Would Jesus bless his efforts? Would Peter eagerly want people to know this Jesus? Fortunately, Jesus is in the business of restoration. It's more than a coincidence that verse 9 mentions a charcoal fire, the same fire that was burning the courtyard around which Peter committed the denial (Jn. 18:18). It's more than a coincidence that Jesus asked Peter to reaffirm his love for Him three times in verses 15-17, once for each denial. Jesus restored Peter and enabled him to evangelize with greater confidence in their relationship and greater understanding of Christ's grace.

Second, when we allow Christ to labor through us, our work will be blessed with sufficient resources and great success (even if it is immeasurable). In this case the disciples were able to see much fruit from their Christ-directed labor. John says they caught 153 fish and the net was never torn. In Judaism an abundant catch was a sign of God's favor (T. Zebulon 6:1-8). Likewise, when we fish for men, Christ promises to bless the work. Like the disciples, we will never labor in vain when we obey the call of Christ.

We hear the cry of every true evangelist:

I do not ask that crowds may throng the temple,

That even standing room be highly priced:

I only ask that, as I voice the message,

They may see Christ.

I do not ask for churchy pomp or pageant,

Or music such as wealth alone can buy"

I only ask that, as I preach the Gospel,

He may be nigh.

I do not ask that men may sound my praises,

Or praiseful headlines spread my name abroad;

I only pray that, as I speak of Jesus,

Hearts may find God.

I do not ask for earthly peace or laurel,

Or of the world's distinction any part;

I only ask, when I have voiced the message,

My Saviour's heart.

Based on this morning's lesson, Jesus is eager to answer that prayer abundantly!

Third, Jesus is always there to serve and meet our needs. We took the training wheels off the bike of my oldest daughter. I probably was more interested in her doing well than she was herself. It was a joy to fix her bike. It was a joy to instruct her. It was a joy to run alongside as she learned. And if she fell, I would have been the first to bandage her wounds and encourage her to get back into the saddle.

Jesus is much better with His evangelists. He was there to restore Peter. He was there to teach the disciples a symbolic lesson about evangelism. He was there to use the disciples in a work He could have easily done Himself. He was there to encourage the disciples in their catch. He was there to accept the labor of their ministry. He was there to provide for their physical needs. He was there to fellowship with His children. What a great reminder when evangelizing that our Savior is always interested, always caring, always directing, always serving, always providing and always blessing. Is that the wonderful Savior you know? If so, how can you keep Him to yourself?

The disciples received the commission, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (Jn. 20:21b). Immediately, they lived out a parable that compared physical fishing with spiritual fishing. Jesus calls all of His disciples to be fishers of men. We are called to be in the ocean of the world, casting the bait named the eternal gospel to win lost souls to Christ through evangelism.