The Miraculous Catch

Seeing Jesus in His Miracles—Part 7 of 7

February 19, 1989 PM

John 21:1-11

Introduction: [I believe that the Book of John was intended to end with the 20th chapter. But there was the personal matter of Simon Peter that John wanted to relate. It may be one of the most beautiful and personal stories in the Bible. It is also the occasion of Jesus' last miracle on earth: The Miraculous Draught of Fishes.]

PETER RETURNED TO FISHING.

There may be many reasons, many ways to "go fishing. " Not many of them are bad. Personally, I have found that going fishing is almost ALWAYS a GOOD thing. But here...

It could have been a bad thing; a return to an occupation once abandoned. It could have meant "It's over!" Anyway, this is where Jesus first came upon Peter, Andrew, James, and John.

I. JESUS REVEALED HIMSELF

... IN A UNIQUE WAY, BY TELLING SEASONED, EXPERIENCED FISHERPEOPLE HOW TO FISH.

Do it MY way! And as His advice was followed there was a demonstration of mastery. Luck? Well, anyway, in this act of mastery it was the beloved disciple, John who discerned "It is the Lord!"

Jesus knows more about your business than you do! In this age of electronics and computers and public relations the Galilean Carpenter is still Almighty God! And He is eternal in His understanding. (He even understands physics!)

[I think sometimes about the story of a prosperous London businessman who was asked by Queen Victoria to leave his business for a while and tend to some of her interests in India. It meant quite a sacrifice on his part.

But when he returned home several months or years later he found that his business had prospered far beyond his fondest hopes. For, as Her Majesty said, "You have been looking after MY business, and while you were, I have been looking after YOURS!"]

The fishermen are elated: 153 LARGE fish! Not 'about 150!' Not "counting them as they came there were almost 200 seekers ... "But exactly 153 large fish!

II. JESUS DEMONSTRATED HOSPITALITY

... the first 'Men's Prayer Breakfast' had fish on the menu! This wasn't a psychological ploy: "Feed 'em, and then give 'em the business!" Jesus isn't that kind of Person. But can you imagine Jesus fixing breakfast?

III. JESUS RENEWS THE CALL TO PETER

- HE NEVER GIVES UP ON US! BUT HE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RIVALS!

He had simply ONE question: Do you love Me? !!

  1. Hold everything and everyone else "lightly." There are no rivals. There is no expiration date on either God's call or His love. I called you once. Will you follow Me?
  2. Unspoken: 'Lord, You know as well as I know that that call has been invalidated! I bragged how I would never deny You. And I did!')

    Do you LOVE Me, Peter? Let's get it straight! Love is what matters! Will you let ME by Lord and God?

  3. But this call is at once a CORPORATE and an INDIVIDUAL thing! I am calling you to help Me build My church! I am giving you the keys to the kingdom.

    But I am calling YOU in a way that is unique to YOU!

    "What about John, Lord? You love HIM more than you love me!?!?"

    "What is that to YOU? Follow ME!"

[This is essentially the way I "prepared" this message: Then this noon after church Bert VanEgmond loaned me a little book by Henri Nouwen, just out (1989), titled In the Name of Jesus. It is based, partly, on this 21st chapter of John.

Henri Nouwen, whom I quoted from this morning, has left Harvard and the glitter of academia and the speaking circuit to minister in a community called L'Arche in Toronto. It was John 21:18 that gave him the courage to go. His words seem to have a fresh "bite."

This little book was written to priests (and ministers) but let me share its outline:

  1. From Relevence to Prayer The Temptation: TO BE RELEVENT The Question: DO YOU LOVE ME? The discipline: Contemplative Prayer
  2. From Popularity to Ministry The Temptation: To be Spectacular The Task: FEED MY SHEEP The Discipline: Confession and Forgiveness
  3. From Leading to Being Led The Temptation: To be POWERFUL "Somebody Else Will Take You" The discipline: Theological Reflection (as opposed to the psychologies and sociologies which are necessary, but NOT at the heart of Christian ministry.)

[Bill Van Buren, a member of L'Arche, went with Henri Nouwen on the original presentation of this new book as a lecture, at the 15th anniversary for the Center for Human Development. They stayed at the Clarendon Hotel in the Crystal City, a very, very posh place as Henri described it. He stood with Father Nouwen on the platform, and chimed in from time to time. They did it together.]

IV. RE-AFFIRM OUR LOYALTY TO JESUS!

  1. If we need help in our BUSINESS ... whether that business is studying— or electronics— or selling— Jesus knows and cares about the kind of work you do!
  2. But beyond "busyness"— even the tasks of doing the work and will of God— Jesus cares about our love! HOW DO WE ANSWER THE ONE QUESTION JESUS ASKS US ALL?

    Are we doing what we do because we love HIM?

  3. Can we say: "What is that to ME? I will follow Jesus!"??

EH #22 O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus