“Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He 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. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast. Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” John 21:4-14

{“While in the men’s room at a beachside park, I noticed they had a plastic baby-changing table installed on the wall. Apparently, some sportsmen had co-opted this politically correct amenity for their own use. Above the table was a sign saying: “It is unlawful to clean fish on this table.”} (Cliff Revell)

This past fall, while fishing in Canada, my friend had a fourteen inch Northern Pike on his line, and as he brought it near the boat, suddenly a much larger fish swam by eyeing up that small pike. My friend instinctively kept his line in the water, and soon enough, the much larger Muskie came and swallowed his pike. It was thrilling to watch my friend catch such a large fish, and it took a lot of muscle to bring such a large catch into the boat. We did not keep this fish, for it was not long enough to keep.  

One of the more obscure Resurrection stories we have is the one depicted in John 21. The Gospel of John appears to end in the 20^th chapter, where the author states that Jesus did many other signs that were not listed in his Gospel account. But then it continues with a third resurrection appearance – and it is not a miraculous appearance – like his sudden appearance in the Upper room. This is a mundane story about fishing – and eating – and a continuing of their calling. The question on the minds of the disciples most likely was something like “What are we going to do now?” Peter tells the others he is going fishing – perhaps an attempt to return to his old life. But Jesus is not having any of that. Jesus will go on to tell Peter to tend the flock – to continue the work begun by Jesus. It can be fun to go fishing for fish – and it can be frustrating to go fishing for people. Each has its challenges and rewards. I believe this is what Jesus is telling his disciples: You will have times where you succeed at each in great abundance – you will have times where you fail in spectacular ways. And yet, Jesus is with us in both the abundance and in the scarcity. Can we learn to press on in both circumstances – press on with the love, mercy and Grace of Jesus trusting G-d to provide the result?

Pastor Dave