On The Shore                                John 21:1-14

We are coming to the end of our nine-month journey through the Gospel of John. We’ve seen Jesus perform miracles to prove his divinity. He changed water into wine, healed an official’s son, fed thousands with a few fish and loaves of bread, and he walked on water. You would think people would be bowing before him. But the Pharisees were afraid of him so instead of bowing, they plotted his death. Ultimately during the Passover, they succeeded in getting Jesus crucified. Problem over. Well, it would have been if Jesus were just a man, but Jesus is God, and he rose and walked out of the tomb three days after his death.

I used to wonder why Jesus didn’t go to the Temple and confront the Pharisees after his resurrection. I imagine if he did the Pharisees would have claimed it was a trick, or the work of the devil.

I was taught God’s plan was for Jesus to die on the cross. I now think his plan was more involved than that. It is a plan with different parts for different individuals. Jesus just did the hard part; he died a painful death. Jesus just did the glory part; he rose to life again by the power of God. Jesus just completed the plan God had for us; our salvation gained through belief in Jesus by the grace of God. John 19:30, “It is finished.”

Jesus’ part in God’s plan is finished, but God’s plan is not. If it was, only those who knew Jesus two thousand years ago would be saved. The rest of God’s plan includes us; those who believe, sharing the gospel and salvation of Christ.

Imagine if we were those remaining disciples; Jesus is alive again, everything he said came true. Not one can doubt he is the Son of God. We would be shouting it from the rooftops. We’d be telling everyone whether they wanted to hear it or not. Shouldn’t the disciples be shouting it in the Temple, shouting it on the street corner? But what are they doing; verse 3, “’I’m going out to fish,’ Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’” The greatest miracle of them all just happened, and they’re going fishing.

The disciples are men, and they react as men, like most of mankind. We know the truth, Jesus is the Messiah, our savior. Do we go out and find people to tell? It wasn’t easy for them, it’s not easy for us.

The disciples were still dealing with uncertainty and fear. We do too. We’re uncertain of who to approach, or even how to approach them. We fear their reaction. When the disciples felt this way, they went back to their lives as they were before their experience with Jesus. Now this doesn’t mean they gave up on Jesus or lost faith.

I know people who came to Christ. They learned about him, came to love and accept him. They confessed their faith and were baptized. And for the same reasons as the disciples, this was as far as they went with their faith. Like the disciples, this doesn’t mean they never believed, or that they stopped believing, 2 Peter 2:17,  “These people are springs without water…” These people are springs, children of God, but no living water flows from them to refresh others.

Our readings verse 5, “’Friends, have you any fish?’ “No,” they answered.” Look at Mark 1”17, “’Come and follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’” This physical example of the disciples catching no fish shows us the spiritual reality of when we let fear and uncertainty send us back to the safety of our old lives; our nets are empty, we help no one come to Christ.

But even as we fail to live by demonstrating Jesus, he is there. We may drift on the ocean of our lives, drifting with the waves, dragging empty nets, but Jesus is always on the shore, the solid ground of our lives, and he’s always there to offer support and help.

Verse 6, “He said, ‘Throw your nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some!’” It’s not just our inaction or hesitation that causes our nets to be empty. We could be fishing in the wrong place, trying to share with people who have hardened hearts against Jesus. Maybe it’s our attitude, or our delivery of the message. But whatever obstacles we encounter in sharing the Word, Jesus has the answer to overcome them.

Verse 6, “When they did, they were unable to haul in the net because of the large number of fish.” When they did. It doesn’t say they questioned the advice, remember scripture said they didn’t know it was Jesus. The point here is they acted entirely in faith.

Jesus gives us advice all the time, and our job is to act on faith. And as the disciples didn’t recognize who Jesus was, sometimes the Holy Spirit gives us advice and information from places we least expect it. Don’t discount the words of a stranger, or the words of someone younger or older. Don’t discount a seemingly coincidence. The Holy Spirit doesn’t always stand in front of you in order to help you.

Verse 7 “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said, ‘It is the Lord!’” John calls himself the disciple who Jesus loves. He knows deep inside himself that Jesus loves him, and it is because of this deep belief that he is able to see Jesus’ work. You, each of you, is the disciple who Jesus loves. Know it. Believe it. Live it. When you do, you too will be able to see when and where Jesus acts in your life. You will be able to discern and understand the advice and information Jesus is giving you. You will live a joyful life, and you will be able to share the kingdom of God. You’ll cast your net in the proper place, and you will be fishers of men.

Verse 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.” Christ is preparing your breakfast, that is he’s prepared everything you need. Is this everything you want? No. Does it mean life will be easy? No. Jesus has given me, given each of us, everything we need; his blood, and his salvation.

I have been through some tough times in my life and when I focus on the love of Christ and look for his work in my life, it may take a while, but things resolve. And I always learn so much through the process. And I have found that when I accept advice from Jesus, no matter how it is delivered, that’s when my life takes a turn.

As John’s gospel closes, Jesus gives his disciples their directives; John 21:17,          “Feed my sheep.” Jesus tells them to take care of his flock, to love them, protect them, and to honor them. Our directive is the same as theirs.

I think it’s important to see that next Peter asks Jesus about John; John 21:21, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answers in verse 22, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

This is so important to us. Too many get wrapped up in things like, “Why do for them, they don’t follow Jesus? Why do I have to give up what I have, I could use it? Why do I do the work, and they get the credit?” It’s not about others, it’s about you; it’s about you following Christ.

Jesus died, rose and is with his disciples. You could think he just wanted to spend some last good times with them before he goes back to the Father, but he is still teaching us through these last times with the eleven.

We accept Christ, but we may still be out on the sea like the disciples were; adrift and not doing his work. We need to know and believe Jesus loves us and he is always there. We must look for his lessons, and we must be open to his teaching no matter whomever or whatever delivers it. And we must stop fixating on what others have or don’t have. Stop concentrating on what we have or don’t have. It’s not about any of that, it’s about following Jesus.

Amen.