April 10, 2016 – Third Sunday of Easter

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish 

21	Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:  2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.  3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” 
“No,” they answered. 
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.  8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.  9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 
11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.  12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.  13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.  14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 

Jesus Reinstates Peter 

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” 
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” 
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” 
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” 
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” 
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” 
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.  18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”  19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” The Bible does not actually say “why” he wanted to go fishing, and so we preachers have the freedom to think of reasons. And what makes it a sermon is when we think about why WE go fishing!

Ordinarily, I can think of four reasons why anyone goes fishing. 1. There are the professional fishermen who do it to make money. 2. There are those who do it because they need food for themselves. 3. There are those who make fishing their hobby. 4. And there are those who go fishing to get out of the house.

1. Peter’s first occupation before he met Jesus was fishing. But Jesus called him and his friends to be disciples and said, “I will make you fishers of men.” So when Peter said, “I am going fishing,” does that mean he wants to quit being a disciple? Is he giving up on Jesus? Did Peter who denied Jesus now give up his faith? Or maybe he was bored waiting for the Holy Spirit to come? Or perhaps he was out of money because things were expensive in Jerusalem and so he was going to try to make some money? One big problem, however, is that Peter is not a good fisherman. Not once in the New Testament does Peter catch a single fish without the help of Jesus. He fishes all night and catches nothing, until Jesus tells him to cast the net on the other side of the boat, and then there is a miraculous big catch of fish. Without Jesus, Peter can do nothing. We are the same.

In a religious sense, we go fishing when we are looking for something different than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is the constant temptation to do that. It is when we get bored in church, or we get dissatisfied or disappointed with what we expect from the Gospel. If we are looking for healing or happiness or success and do not find it in church, we might want to cast our nets elsewhere. Let’s go fishing. How are things in that church down the road? How about this or that activity? How about giving up?

2. People go fishing because they are hungry. I do not know about Peter, but I know that I am such a poor fisherman that I would starve to death if I had to depend on fishing. Before coming to Okinawa I lived in a fishing town, Iwanai Town in Hokkaido. One day, I went down to the dock where lots of people were catching lots of fish. I cast in my line, but never got even a nibble. People to the left and right of me were catching fish, but not me. I am as bad Peter. In a religious sense, without the help of Jesus, we will spiritually starve and die.

3. Fishing is a great hobby. If you are interested, there are many kinds of fish, and various hooks and lures and bait and rods, and of course there is fashion: hats and vests and boots. Church is almost a hobby for some people. That is not bad. There are many interesting things at church to keep us busy. There is worship and Bible study and fellowship and prayers and food. And in these activities we find Jesus. We find his love and concern for us. We find his forgiveness and peace. And this love of God creates love in our hearts for other people. I do not want to call charity and kindness and love a hobby….. but it can bring great happiness and meaning to our lives.

A hobby must be interesting. Sometimes church can be boring. We preachers and Sunday School teachers try our best to make things fun and meaningful. Music, crafts, food. But church has to be more than a hobby. We have to realize what church is. Church is centered on the cross of Jesus. It was no hobby for Jesus to die on the cross. It was not fun to suffer and be whipped and be mocked and then nailed to a cross. It was not fun for Jesus to die. It is not fun for us Christians to realize that it was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. It is not fun to confess our sins. It is not fun to admit our guilt.

And yet the Gospel proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel proclaims the forgiveness of sin, eternal life and salvation. And this is what brings hope and joy into the life of a Christian believer. I hesitate to say that my hobby is going to church, but it one of the greatest joys of my life.

4. And the fourth reason to go fishing is to get out of the house. Perhaps Simon Peter was feeling the stress of waiting for the Holy Spirit. There was also the fear of the Jews who might want to arrest him like they did Jesus. After the hectic events in Jerusalem perhaps he just needed a break. “I’m going fishing,” he said, and six other disciples said, “We’ll go with you.” They fished all night and caught nothing. It was not until Jesus came and realizing their situation said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” Then they caught a great number of fish, 150 big fish!

In a religious sense, if you go on vacation, take Jesus with you. When you need relief from the stresses and problems of life, look to Jesus who is on the shore watching your, and pray to him. Remember your baptism. Jump in the water like Peter did! Splash around and get wet and fresh and clean with the love and grace and mercy of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

And finally, because Peter was not a good fisherman, Jesus gave him a new occupation. He gave him the job as a shepherd. Jesus asked three times, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter did not deny it; he confessed three times, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” And then Jesus said three times, “Feed my sheep.” Finally Jesus said, “Follow me.” Peter did not go running off again. He became a leader in the new church after Pentecost. Finally he died in Rome as a martyr, confessing his faith in Jesus.

What occupation has God given you? What is your calling? Your calling is to be a Christian wherever you are in whatever you do. What is it to be a Christian? It is to remember your baptism. Splash around and get wet and fresh and clean with the love and grace and mercy of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church

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