1 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.
The Sea of Tiberias - also known as the Sea of Galilee - was the chosen sight for our Lord’s next appearance to a group of His beloved disciples. This would have been very familiar territory and sweet surroundings for our Lord’s guys. Indeed, it was the place where Christ had done some of His mightiest works – walked on water, stilled the waves and winds with a Word, provided money for taxes from the mouth of a fish, fed the multitudes loaves and fishes, cast out legions of demons into swine and delivered the parable of the Sower. Surely there was deep purpose and meaning in the Lord choosing this particular sight. It would serve to remind His guys - jogging their memories so to speak - of the former days where Jesus’ power, love and wisdom were constantly in their view. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of our Lord’s mercy, power, love, wisdom and forgiveness do we not? Our Lord remains fully aware of exactly what His followers need – ever reminding us especially when faith sags low.
Interestingly, this was where Peter, James and John had had their beginnings with the Lord Jesus – calling them to abandon their fishing for mere fish to embracing the highest work of fishing for the souls of men. They had also been told prior - both through an angelic announcement and Jesus’ own Word to them through the women – they would see Him again there – so there, they went. We discover in Matthew:
7 "Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." Matt 28:7 (NIV)
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matt 28:8-10 (NIV)
I find it fascinating the number of witnesses – seven to be exact – before whom this remarkable appearance of Christ took place in our verses for today. Seven, the number of perfection and completion – the evidence of seven witnesses was regarded as the most complete evidence that could be given. Of interest as well is the fact that Thomas – the doubter turned believer – is now mentioned next to Peter as if he were set in keeping closer to the meetings with the Apostles than ever before. He had lost out once prior by his absence - missing the appearance of Jesus when the other saints had assembled - and he was wisely not about to let another opportunity slip through his hands!
Peter also demonstrates for us his leadership abilities as the small band of disciples all seem to follow suit when he makes mention of going fishing. The simple definition of a leader is to merely have someone follow and in our verses for today Peter goes forth with six in tow. Limited in his present knowledge and not wanting to remain waiting for our Lord’s appearance with idle hands, Peter gravitates to the known – fishing. He did what he was accustomed to doing and the others followed suit. There is something very comforting in doing the familiar – it clears ones mind particularly when so much surprise and unknown swirls in the head. Not much had gone as expected for the Lord’s guys.
Surely in the beginning when the disciples had left all to follow their Leader their expectations and dreams were not exactly what eventually played out (to say the least). Not to mention trying to absorb all that had just prior happened – Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, Christ’s death, burial and resurrection and now His appearance to them after His resurrection as well as a myriad of other happenings – they had to have been befuddled. Therefore, in their waiting they return to what they know. Interestingly, when we as believers set out to follow Jesus on our venture of faith – just as His original disciples – we must tear up into the smallest pieces any itinerary the delusions of our minds may have produced. Not much falls out as we expect. Our Lord keeps to no beaten path nor will He allow us to put Him in a box. He leads us by a way our eyes and ears and minds have never seen, heard, imagined or dreamed – always for our good and His glory. He knows no fear and He expects His servants to fear nothing because He ever walks with us. It is His great promise to all believers. He is a “with us” God.
God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Heb 13:5 (NIV)
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 (NIV)
Lastly, we see the disciples catch nothing – not a thing. Another lesson our Lord was gently teaching – apart from Him we can do nothing yet with Him – abiding in Him - even this group of ragamuffin, uneducated, unlearned disciples could turn the known world upside down. In and of ourselves we can do nothing of eternal value – He never said we could – He can do all things - He always said He would. Our power is in abiding in Him.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (NIV)
“We need to keep reminding ourselves that without the Lord we can do nothing. It needs to become a habit of mind with each of us to tell the Lord as we tackle each task, ‘I can’t do this without your help, please help me’, and then to expect to be helped because we have admitted our helplessness, given up self-reliance and are now looking to Him.”
J. I. Packer