John 21:1-19

One day a rather inebriated ice fisherman decided to go fishing, and drilled a hole in the ice and peered into the hole and a loud voice said, "There are no fish down there."
He walked several yards away and drilled another hole and peered into the hole and again the voice said, :There's no fish down there." He then walked about 50 yards away and drilled another hole and again the voice said, "There's no fish down there." He looked up into the sky and asked, "God, is that you?" "No, you idiot," the voice said, "it's the rink manager."

Fishing is an incredibly popular hobby, although I have to confess that I personally have never really seen the attraction in it.

Most fishermen have a story or two to tell, but few I think that match the story that we heard today from our Gospel reading.

It takes place in the days following Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. We are told that 7 of Jesus’ disciples were by the Sea of Tiberias, better know as the Sea of Galilee, when they decided to go fishing. In that region most people fish at night, because it is then that the fish come up near to the surface, whereas in the heat of the day the fish tend to stay nearer the bottom of the lake. But the disciples don’t have a very successful night fishing, in fact they don’t catch a single thing. So when Jesus appears on the shore, and shouts to the disciples if they have caught anything, their answer is no. So Jesus instructs them to throw their net onto the other side of the boat, and when they do this, they have the most amazing catch of fish. We are told that the haul was so large, that they couldn’t physically get the net into the boat. Such was the amount of fish. And it is then, after this miraculous catch of fish that the disciples suddenly recognise that it is Jesus, John, who is described as the disciple whom Jesus loved, cries out, ‘It is the Lord’, and Peter instantly dives into the water and swims across to Jesus.

What things can we learn from this passage, what message does it have for us today? There is so much that can be gained from this passage, I just want to mention a few things.

Searching in the wrong place

Earlier this week, the BBC reported that as a nation we are getting unhappier, we’re in danger of turning into a country of Victor Meldrews! The UK was ranked only the ninth happiest country out of 15 European Union nations. The report highlighted that in the UK there is falling trust in government, the police and other institutions. It seems as though there is a growing dissatisfaction in our society. What these survey’s have revealed is that people are searching for something that will give meaning and purpose to life.

The trouble is, so often, like the disciples in the boat, we cast our nets in search for these answers in the wrong places, expecting to find the answers we are looking for. For example, we expect to find the answers we are looking for in our work, or in relationships, or in hobbies, or by making as much money as possible, but ultimately this cannot satisfy that greatest longing in our hearts. Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, who died at the end of 1991 in spite of the fact that he had amassed a huge fortune and had attracted thousands of fans, admitted in an interview shortly before his death that he was desperately lonely. He said, ‘You can have everything in the world and still be the loneliest man, and that is the most bitter type of loneliness. Success has brought me world idolisation and millions of pounds, but it’s prevented me from having the one thing we all need – a loving, ongoing relationship.’ Ultimately, it is through a relationship with God, that we can discover ultimate peace and freedom. Only he, can satisfy that deepest longing, that exists in all our hearts.

It is only when the disciples listen to, and obey Jesus’ instructions to cast the net the other side, that they discover what they have been searching for. In the same way, it is only when we listen to the voice of God, and obey him, that we will finally find what it is we are searching for. In John 15:5 Jesus says, “If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” When the disciples tried to do things their own way, it ended in failure, it is only when they obeyed Jesus, that they discovered what they were looking for.

God’s abundance

This leads onto the next point, the haul of fish is extraordinary, this was no ordinary catch. When God gives, he gives abundantly, he gives in the full measure, he gives recklessly. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10) or as some translations have it, to have life in all its abundance. I will come on to the question of how we can receive this abundant life in a few moments. But it is important for us to remember the shere generosity and love God has for us. And this is a message I think we need to hear again and again. God loves YOU, God cares about YOU. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

God’s invitation

This passage is full of wonderful little details, clearly written by someone who witnessed the events for themselves. As soon as Peter realises that it is Jesus standing at the shore, he dives into the water and swims over to Jesus, whilst the other 6 disciples struggle to bring the net laden with fish in from the lake. And when they get to the beach, they discover a fire is burning, and Jesus invites the disciples to come and eat breakfast with him.

Jesus’ invitation to share a meal, is an invitation to fellowship with him, and it is the invitation that he also extends to each one of us. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus invites ordinary people, into relationship with him, and he invites you and me. Jesus opens to us the riches of his friendship, the relationship that he offers you and me, is a real and satisfying one.

Removing the barrier of failure

Earlier I talked about the life that Jesus offers us all, but how do we actually receive this. I’ve talked about how Jesus opens to us the riches of his friendship, but before Peter can be reinstated, the barrier of sin and failure first has to be removed from our lives.

Three times Jesus asks Peter, ‘Do you truly love me?’ The reason Jesus asks Peter this question three times, is because on the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter three times had denied knowing Jesus. And now, after each question ‘Do you love me’ Peter responds, ‘Yes Lord, you know that I love you.’ A relationship with Jesus begins when in his presence, we face up to all that grieves and contradicts God’s holy will for our lives. Just as Peter had to face up to his sin and failure.

And to face up to these things should lead to repentance. The word repent, means literally to turn away from those things that get between God and ourselves. Turning away from sin, and turning to God. Turning away from the old life, lived without God, to a new life lived with him. Baptism is both a symbol of death and also new life. When we go into the waters of baptism, it is as though we are entering the grave, we are dying to a life without God. And it is also a symbol of new life, because when we come out of the waters of baptism, it is as though we are born again. We are new people, we begin a new life with God. Of course, we are all human, and we all make mistakes, so the act of repenting for our sins, is something we need to do again and again.

But what Peter discovered, and what this passage reveals is that no matter how desperate our failure, or how deep our sense or guilt or shame may be, God can forgive and renew us, and use us in his service. No one is beyond the grace, and mercy of God. Failure is never final with God.

God’s Commissioning

After forgiveness, comes Peter’s commissioning, and what this passage reveals is that to follow Jesus and love him, means also accepting responsibility for his people. Each time after Peter replies that he loves Jesus, Jesus responds, ‘Feed my lambs, Take care of my sheep, Feed my sheep.’ Although slightly different, the point Jesus is in effect making the same point three times. Commitment to Christ, also means commitment to his people the church of Christ. Jesus Christ is not a ‘single’ person in the sense that he comes to us without other attachments. He is a ‘married’ person; he comes to us with a bride, whom he loves, and this is the church. To be in a relationship with Christ, while ignoring or even despising his bride, is no more acceptable than such behaviour would be in human contexts when relating to a married friend. Genuine conversion means not only turning to and accepting Christ. It also means turning to and accepting his bridge, the church. And in baptism, one of the promises being made on Eliza’s behalf is that her family will help her to become a full worshipping member of God’s church.

This passage is a profoundly critical one for every Christian. Because it gets to the heart of what the Christian faith is all about. It is about our relationship with God through Jesus. Jesus asks Peter the same question, ‘Do you truly love me’. This is the essence of the Christian faith, to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. When you love someone, you want to spend time with them, to be in their presence, you want to get to know them, and to show your love for them by the way you respond to them. And when you are in love with someone, it shows by the way we live, and the way we speak. It shapes are desires and passions. Our love for God, should be evident in the way we love one another as his family the church.

The cost of being a Christian

The final thing that this passage reveals, is that there is a cost to being a Christian. Earlier this week we had a reunion for all those who have completed our most recent Alpha Course. And one member of the group said, ‘Becoming a Christian is the easy bit, but living as a Christian, that’s tough.’ Today, in baptism, Eliza is beginning, her Christian journey, baptism marks the start of this journey with God, but it won’t always be easy. Jesus warned Peter, that he would suffer for the sake of his faith. “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." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" (21:18-19)

Whilst we are not likely to suffer in this way for the sake of the Gospel, the reality is that putting God first in our lives, loving him the way we should, and living life God’s way is often hard. It is not always easy, and Jesus knew this, that is why as Christians we are given the Holy Spirit, and why in baptism we pray for God’s Spirit to be on Eliza as she begins her journey of faith. We have also part of a family, God’s family, the church, and the church is here to love and support us on our Christian journey.

Conclusion

There is a lot contained in this passage, and I have tried to touch on what I feel are the main points. That in life we listen to and obey God, that we discover what we are really searching for. This passage reminds us that our God is a loving, generous God, who offers to us life in all its abundance. That even when we have failed God, and turned away from him, there is always the promise of forgiveness and restoration. As a passage it speaks to us, of the important of the church, and our place in it, and it also reminds us of the cost involved in being a follower of Jesus Christ, but also of the immense joy that comes through knowing and loving him. Today, as Eliza is baptized, and as her parents and godparents make promises on her behalf, so we also have an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to following Jesus Christ.