Fishing and Failure
by Rev. Paul Howden
March 30, 2008
First Sunday after Easter
John 21:1-14

A guy named John traveled to Northern Argentina to take pictures of the Wichi Indians. His intention was to create a documentary for fund-raising purposes. Traditionally the Wichi practiced spear-fishing in the Rio Bermejo near the border with Paraguay. The fish get several feet long there. All you need is one to feed half the tribe. John arranged to accompany a Wichi man who was going fishing. It was a stifling hot day. The fisherman waded out into the river about waist deep, and waited stock still, poised to throw his spear. One hour passed and nothing; two, three hours and no fish. Five slow hours dragged by. John sat on the shore dripping with sweat, swatting mosquitoes, ready to shoot an action photo, but it never happened. No fish approached in five hours, which goes to show, some fishing trips end unsuccessfully. We see this illustrated in the last chapter of John. On this first Sunday after Easter, we will examine a fishing trip. We’ll learn information about the resurrection, fishing, failure, and following Jesus as fishers of men. Let’s read John 21:1-2.

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.  There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

“After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.” The Sea of Tiberias was the Sea of Galilee. This is the same place Jesus had walked on water, and Peter too. Jesus had calmed the sea, “Peace, be still.” This was the place where Jesus had fed the five thousand with loaves and fishes. Now Jesus appears after rising from the grave. Let’s read John 21:3-5.

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.  But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

Seven disciples went fishing. Who were they? We know the names of five: Peter, John, James, Thomas, and Nathaniel (Bartholomew). Two are unknown. The two unnamed ones were probably Andrew and Phillip. If so, then these are the first seven disciples Jesus met after His baptism in the Jordan River (John 1). The same seven who were with Him at the beginning of His ministry will be with Him at the end.

When the Eleven apostles were hiding in fear in Jerusalem after the crucifixion of Jesus, He appeared to them, showed them His hands and feet and side, and told them to return to Galilee, and they did. Forty days elapsed between Jesus’ rising from the dead and his ascending into Heaven. Instead of sitting idly by, the disciples decided to go to work. Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” The rest said, “We will too.” The seven jumped into the boat and set off on the lake. They were pros at fishing. It was a good thing Peter had kept his fishing vessel and nets. They could now make a living. Night was traditionally the best time for fishing, but that night the fish refused to cooperate. From dusk to dawn, they threw out nets and pulled in nothing. The expedition was a waste of time.

As daybreak came, Jesus appeared on the beach, and called out, “Children, have you any food?” In other words, “Boys, did you catch anything?” “No. Nothing,” was the response. The disciples didn’t know it was Jesus. Maybe it was too dark, or there was mist, or they were too far away. Whatever the reason, they didn’t recall His face nor His voice. This is true of other post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. Mary Magdalene didn’t recognize Jesus at the grave, thinking He was the gardener. The two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus also had a hard time identifying the Savior. Their hearts burned within them as He walked along with them expounding Scripture, but they knew Him not until He broke bread with them. Here too at the Sea of Galilee, the seven failed to figure out Jesus. There was something mysterious about the resurrection body that made Him somewhat different. Maybe this says something about our resurrection bodies. Glorified and renewed, they will be somewhat the same, but somewhat different. It’s interesting. Reading on in John 21:6-7.

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

The stranger on the beach told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. He must have spoken in a loud voice. The disciples gave it one more try, and voila, the nets immediately filled up. All seven strained to pull in the load of “large fish,” ten-pound trout, bass and croppy. The boat began to tip (like the picture hanging on the wall in our sanctuary). The disciples were elated. How did Jesus know there was a shoal of fish right there and then? We’re probably dealing with a miracle. Jesus in His divine nature is omniscient.

Luke tells about a similar fishing trip in Luke 5. It happened toward the beginning of Christ’s ministry. Like this one in John they had been fishing unproductively all night. And Jesus told them to let down their nets in the deep instead of near the surface of the lake. They did, and hauled in a ton of fish; so many, that their nets began breaking. On that earlier occasion they knew it was the Lord. Here they didn’t. Once the fish were secured, John, pointing to shore, said, “Peter, it is the Lord.” Peter looked carefully: “Yes. That is Him!” Like a flash, Peter put on his garment, and plunged into the sea. Why? Who knows? Peter was the fiery, impulsive type. His dive was a belly flop. No way he was going to wait. He wanted to see Jesus now! Swimming or wading, he headed the 100 yards to shore. The others followed in the boat, rowing with oars. Whatever we may think of Peter’s hasty behavior, we must admire his love. Zeal for Christ deserves respect, even when it leads a person into hasty action. Enthusiasm is better than apathy. This is a timely message for our day. Too many people are jaded in our culture; they are dead to emotion, to expressing love and joy. The pop music and computer games and television and passive entertainment numb them of emotion. It is good to burst forth with love and joy like Peter did here. We do that with music. Many times in the Bible, when people draw near to the Lord they break out in song, sing for joy, and dance. That is how we should be. Let’s move on to John 21:8-13.

And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.  As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.  Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

Peter heaved and tugged until everything was on shore. Jesus appeared wonderfully strange. They didn’t know what to say. He had lit a charcoal fire. Cold, tired and worn out, the disciples congregated around it, warming their hands, and resting. Commentators bring out the fact that this was the same kind of charcoal fire that had burned in the courtyard of the high priest (18:18). Just two weeks before, during Christ’s passion, Peter had warmed his hands at a fire while Jesus was being stricken, smitten and afflicted. Instead of standing up for Jesus, Peter had denied the Lord three times at the fire. Then the rooster crowed. Jesus looked at Peter and Peter saw Jesus, and Peter wept. It was shameful what he had done. Surely that memory returned to Peter as he knelt to warm himself near the flames. In a way Peter was a failure. He had promised to remain faithful to Jesus, but he hadn’t. What kind of leader is that? Well the truth is: most leaders have failed.

“Many years ago a young man ran for the legislature in a large state and was badly defeated. He next entered business, failed, and spent seventeen years of his life paying the debts of a worthless partner. He was in love with a beautiful woman to whom he became engaged, but she died. Reentering politics, he ran for Congress but was badly defeated. He then tried to get an appointment to the United States Land Office but failed. He became a candidate for the United States Senate and was badly defeated. Two years later he was again defeated. It was one failure after another and many setbacks. But he refused to give up and eventually became President of the United States. His name was Abraham Lincoln.” [From Kent Hughes, That You May Believer, p. 464.]

Failure isn’t always bad. In fact, failure is necessary for growth and spiritual progress. It is pride and sloth if you are so fearful of failure that you attempt nothing. Failure is fine if you do your best. Have you failed the Lord? Have you caught nothing? Have you betrayed the Lord? Peter was not alone in betraying Jesus. The other disciples had also. You and I have betrayed the Lord as well. We betray Him with our apathy for the lost. We betray Him when we go throughout the day as if He didn’t exist. We betray Him when we forget to pray. Nobody is free of faults. You too have had your failures, haven’t you? Your shipwrecks, and denials, and sin and fears. You fail the Lord, and you have failed others. The good news is this: Jesus will restore you. He will sanctify your failure. He says, “Come. Are you tired and weary and embarrassed by your failure? Do you feel like a laughingstock? Are you discouraged? Have you betrayed Me to the world? I forgive you. I love you. Come. Let’s eat breakfast together.”

Jesus only had one loaf of bread and one fish. The disciples dragged the net onto shore and counted out 153 fish. Jesus spoke up, “Bring a few of those here and we’ll have enough for a hearty breakfast.” So they brought Him more fish and sat down on the sand, warming themselves at the fire. Meanwhile Jesus prepared the fish and barbecued them over the spit. When they were ready to eat, Jesus gave thanks and they partook. That must have tasted delicious. They had been working all night. Remember how Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet? Now He became a chef and made them a breakfast of fish and bread. (There might be a hint of Holy Communion here. This is how we dine with Christ at the Lord’s Supper.) For us today, eating is often a hurried thing, something we do on the run. We grab a sandwich and wolf it down. We buy a hamburger and eat it in the car. This was not possible in Bible times. Meals required preparation, and they were more drawn out affairs. This meal on the beach was a long one, marked by comfort, warmth and fellowship.

This is our Lord! Even in His resurrection glory He was mindful of their physical needs, and He was active in providing for them. He continues to do so today. Paul wrote from prison, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). Jesus knows what you need, and even if you are temporarily forsaken like Job, or like Paul in prison, the Lord will supply you with love, joy, and peace. He will supply your need. Trust in Him!

Evangelism is another lesson we learn from this episode on the Sea of Tiberias, which is the Sea of Galilee. The boat is the church. You are sitting in the “nave” of the church. The church is a ship, an ark, a sailing vessel toiling amidst a restless world. As such, our obligation is fishing or evangelism. The first time Jesus performed the miracle of a big catch, He taught, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). With their boats practically sinking under the weight of the fishes, Jesus promised, “From now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). And then there is the parable of the Kingdom of Heaven being like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered [fish] of every kind” (Mt. 13:47). On that first occasion they immediately left their nets and followed Him. He calls to you as of old, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus calls you to the mighty work of catching human beings for Christ and pulling them to safety from the floods of judgment. It is an awesome task. Do you feel inadequate for the job? That is a natural feeling. Fishing is hard work with nets. How can we overcome our incompetence in evangelism?

The answer is to be found in following Jesus, “Come after Me,” “Follow Me.” “Walk with me.” That is the answer. Concentrate on that. Jesus promises to equip you – “I will make you become fishers of men.” You do not have to make yourself into a fisherman. You are not responsible for guaranteeing a catch. That belongs to the Lord. If you follow Jesus, you can leave everything in His hands. “I will make you” is the answer to your inadequacies. The secret to evangelism doesn’t depend on some gimmick, or fancy lure, or expensive fishing rod, or fast boat equipped with sonar. It depends upon your walk with the Lord. “For without Me you can do nothing,” Jesus stated. He will make you a fisher of men if you follow Him. Follow Him in love, obedience, fellowship, prayer and Bible study and He will make you to become a fisher of men. 

Notice also the number of fish caught: 153. Back in those days it was thought that the Sea contained 153 different species of fish. In Scripture the sea often represents the nations. So it could be that the 153 fishes caught that morning symbolized the redemption of the world, the gathering in of all the nations on earth, the discipling and baptizing of the nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:18). If this speculation is true, then we have the hope that the fishing venture of the Church will eventually end in success. The Church will finally bring in a great haul like is told in our passage and depicted on the print. Look. The boat is nearly tipping over with all the fish. Thus the nations will be discipled and baptized. King Jesus will come for His bride, and we will sit to dine with Him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

In a practical sense, how can I share my faith with others? Now that I desire to become a fisher of men, how can I approach unbelievers and speak to them about spiritual things? Asking good questions may be the best tactic. Here are some questions you could ask. They are ice breakers:

            Do you have any kind of spiritual belief? (That’s a non-threatening question for most people.)
            To you, who is Jesus?
            Do you think there are a heaven and a hell?
            If you died right now, where would you go?
            If what you believe were not true, would you want to know it?
[From How Can I Share My Faith Without an Argument? By Martin De Haan II.]

By asking questions you give people a chance to voice their opinion, and they may be more willing to open up and dialogue with you. Growing our church is what Christ wants us to do. We have much potential at Grace Church. Be a fisher of men with those you meet. Start casting your net.

Let us pray.