Part 1: Fishers of Men
SCRIPTURE: John 21:1-7
GIST: Let Jesus use you to fish for men.
We have been traveling through John now for almost three years, and have now come to the final chapter. Though many have been perplexed as to why this chapter is even here, since John seems to have concluded his gospel at the end of chapter 20, it is packed with so many great truths. Think of it as an epilogue of sorts. We have been told to believe, but there is life after belief. John shows us the "now what" in this final account. We'll see how Christians are to be fishers and shepherds (and I'll do my best not to go beyond the text here into any generalizations). This week, we'll focus in on the fishing. Next week, through the eyes of Peter's restoration, we'll get a glimpse at what it means to be a shepherd.
John 21:1-7 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on 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 of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
To really get the whole picture here, I think we need to look back at Luke's account of how the disciples were called. It will look familiar...and that's important.
Luke 5:3-11 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
The other gospels tell us that the disciples were instructed to meet Jesus in Galilee. That explains why they are all here together. While waiting on Jesus' instructions, Peter decides to fish, and 7 of the other disciples go with him. This wasn't a leisurely pursuit. Before following Jesus, this was Peter's career (James and John were his partners which helps explain their relationship). They go out, and are unsuccessful. Then, Jesus appears and changes everything. This reminds John of the above account related in Luke 5, and he recognizes that it is Jesus. Now, I say all of that to make this connection. Jesus wasn't doing this on accident. When He called them to leave everything they had to follow Him, He used this miracle to illustrate that they would become fishers of men. Now, after the resurrection, when their lives have been completely changed again, He reminds them of their call. I just want to look at two points of application here.
1. Futile Fishing-Don't fish alone.
Let's start by clarifying in the metaphor here. Fishing for men is bringing people to Jesus. It does not involve any actual hooking or "netting" of humans. Nor is it strategic coercion. We have been sent to tell the world that Jesus is Lord. We're to spread the good news of hope...the only good news of hope. Likewise, we fish not so that people can be "caught" and eaten, but rather so that they might live. This is the heart of the Christian message. Not believing that life comes from Christ alone is not to be a Christian. Thus, sharing the gospel for any other reason is equally un-Christian.
Now, to the first point. Notice how the disciples, in both accounts, caught nothing before Jesus arrived. Evangelism will never work without Jesus. He does all the real work, we just cast our nets (open our mouths, live our lives for Him). Don't ever forget this. We cannot "succeed" on our own. We will not fail, whether or not we see the results, when will follow Him.
2. Successful Strategy (the only one!)-Fish with your ears.
These two go hand-in-hand. Jesus calls the to disciples and says, 'Children,'(a term that signified friendship...and one John later uses in his letters) 'have you caught anything?' The answer, of course, is "no" because they went out on their own. Then, He gives them direction, and they catch fish. Notice two things here: 1--Jesus is the one that provides the direction. 2--The disciples listened. The same is true in our lives. We are to go out boldly sharing the gospel wherever He sends us, and when He sends us we need to go.
Some closing thoughts.
1. Have you been caught by Jesus? Let's not overlook the significance of Jesus' commission to the disciples (and all Christians to follow). We are called to share the gospel because Jesus wants to see people saved. He loves you. He died for you. As I've said before, God's purpose for the Church, which reveals His character, is all wrapped up in His mission to save you.
2. Are you fishing? If so, are you doing it alone, or are your following His direction?
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