April 10, 2016

“Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6He 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.” John 21:5-6

The 21st chapter of John is most likely an addendum, a part that was added by a later writer – in other words, it most likely is not original. However, that does not take away from the richness of what is written in this resurrection story. The disciples, after the resurrection, and after taking some time to make sense of everything, well they go back to doing what is most familiar to them – fishing.

And after fishing all night, they have nothing to show for their efforts. They are fishermen, they know what they are doing, and yet this night they have been skunked. But then a stranger appears along the shore. They think he looks familiar, but they are unsure, and besides they are discouraged with their lack of a catch. The stranger says “Hey, try again, but over the other side of the boat”. Now, for many of us, if someone we did not know, offered a suggestion for something we think they knew nothing about, how many of us would have simply said “Thanks but no thanks?” But for some reason, the disciples agree – and they are overwhelmed with the response.

There is a lesson here that is something we need to heed: when we think we know it all, there will be times when we are humbled – especially when it comes to the doings of Jesus. So many people seem to claim that they know exactly how Jesus works, exactly how Jesus thinks, and how Jesus loves. My friends, when we think we know everything about Jesus, and know exactly how G-d works in the world, we need to be prepared to be humbled by G-d. The disciples are willing to try something they think would never make a difference, and their response is an overwhelming success.

I get tired by people saying, either in my family or in my church family “We have tried that in the past and it did not work.” Sometimes we do not need to repeat history. Other times we need to allow the Holy Spirit to change our minds. How we determine the difference will be dependent on the Spirit – and each one of us remaining open to G-d presence and G-d’s surprises. Trying old ministries, without the presence of the Spirit, well, they may just be unfruitful. But, trying old ministries with the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through them in new ways, well we may be just as surprised as the disciples at how successful they can be.

Pastor Dave