I’m Going Out to Fish

John 21:1-14, 25

It was a lot. Just a LOT to process. Everything seemed so down-side up, right-side in, what had happened, what was happening, what was next? At first, they had just locked down in Jerusalem in fear. Then on the night of the third day, Jesus appeared to all of them except Thomas, a revelation – he was alive! How could they convince anyone, though? They couldn’t even convince Thomas! They stayed as the fervor of the possibility of revolution passed…the crowds left after Passover. A week later, Jesus appeared again when they were all together, including Thomas. When he saw his wounds and touched his flesh, Thomas knew not only was he Jesus, “my Lord God” he exclaimed! And he was gone. Not with them. Where was he? When would he return? What should they do? What did it all mean? What else had he said that they had misinterpreted, or not understood? He had told them he would die and rise in three days, but they hadn’t been able to comprehend…what else were they missing?

They just didn’t know. They couldn’t stay in Jerusalem locked up in a room forever, surely that didn’t make sense. They would go home and figure it out. Back to Galilee. Back and forth between ruminating silence and pouring over memories, they returned to share with family and friends the events of the last weeks. They had been in many-a squall on the Sea of Galilee, times they thought surely the boat would capsize, times they had clung to the mast for dear life…nothing like this storm, though. There were no rhythms of life, no leader, no plan.
One evening as the sun started to set, Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.”

Night is when you fish on the Sea of Galilee. The winds die down, the water gets calmer, and the fish become more active.

What does it mean that Peter decides to go fishing? Some have posited that perhaps he was giving up, going back to his work before he met Jesus. Maybe. Maybe he would have in time. I don’t think he was there yet, though. He just needed to get out of the storm for a while – the storm in his thoughts, hopes and fears, believing…but unbelievable – the night stretched out in front of him and he couldn’t lie still through another one wide awake with his mind racing. He would get in the boat, and put out on the water. The familiar efforts of pushing it off, setting the sail…the rhythm of rowing and pushing against the resistance of the water…it would feel good.

Peter didn’t know it, but centuries later psychologists would teach this technique for dealing with overwhelming stress. Peter is grounding himself. If you google it, the AI Overview says that “Grounding techniques in psychology are strategies used to help individuals reconnect with the present moment, often when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected. These techniques engage the senses, body, and mind to bring awareness back to the current situation, reducing feelings of dissociation and anxiety.” That’s what Peter is doing, and the other disciples are here for it, “We’ll go with you.”

All night they cast the nets, drop, drag, pull, drop drag, pull. They are near the dock, at Tabgha, where fisherman regularly came in with their catch to set up market when a man on the shore hollers out to them, “Lads, you not have any fish?” They holler back, “Nah.” The night wasn’t about that. They hadn’t gone out to try to fish. “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.

Peter had been here before…the day Jesus called him to be a disciple. Jesus had been teaching on the shore, but there were such big crowds that he got into Peter’s boat so that the amphitheater effect of the surrounding hills would allow everyone to hear him. When he finished preaching, he told Peter to “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

And Peter had answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” The catch was huge – the nets began to break – they had to get the other boat with their partners, James and John, to come out and help…both boats were so full they began to sink.

Astonished, Peter had fallen on his knees and begged, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” And instead, Jesus called him, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Now, when again they can’t haul in the nets because they are so full they realize, “It’s the Lord!” Peter can’t wait…throws on his cloak and jumps in the water. The other disciples just start rowing, dragging the net full of fish behind them. They get to shore and Jesus has a fire going with fish and bread on it, and Jesus invites them to add to the feast – bring over some of your catch and put on the fire.

Even today, Jesus sets the table: Come, eat, be satisfied…and Jesus invites us to participate in providing the feast: bring some of the fruits of your labor, provided by God, too. We sometimes say Christ has no hands on earth but ours and no feet but ours, and that is true, but only because that is Christ’s choice. The meal can be hosted without us. God doesn’t need us to accomplish God’s will. God invites us to be a part of it, to receive and to participate in offering what we have to bring to the table.

As you come to the Table today know that the meal is already prepared. Christ invites you, and invites you to bring what you have to add to the feast. You have nothing, you say? What’s holding you back from doing something radically different. Put your nets down on the opposite side of the boat, you may find that the haul is so great you are almost breaking. Now do you see that it’s not your skill or talent that brings in the remarkable bounty, but God? Put some of it here, on the fire. Let us share together the abundance God has bestowed. Amen.