Fishers of Men

In his gospel account, John tells us about a particular fishing trip that went from an unsuccessful night of fishing to a morning catch so large the disciples could not haul it in!

In John 21, Jesus appears to seven of His disciples who had been fishing all night. Jesus had appeared to His disciples twice already, and this was the third time. We know not each disciple was there each time, as Thomas did not get to see Jesus the first time, and did not believe the other disciples when they said they had seen the Lord. Jesus’ second appearance to His disciples was Thomas’ first encounter with Him. This was the moment Thomas declared, “‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:28) after seeing where Jesus had been pieced on His hands and His side.  

This early morning, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, and this time, seven of them were together. John lists five of the seven by name: himself, Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James.

Jesus meets these seven disciples here at the Sea of Galilee where He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow Him. Peter, James and John were fishermen by trade. They were fishing when Jesus called to them and immediately, they followed Him.

These three men were not only Jesus’ disciples, but part of an inner circle that had experienced private moments with Him the other disciples had not. They were there at His transfiguration, and they also went with Him farther into the garden of Gethsemane the night before His death. They had seen His glorified appearance, and they had also seen Him in agony as He prayed to His Father before His arrest.

Nathanael is the other named disciple fishing that night. Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus at the beginning of His ministry, and Jesus said about Nathanael, “‘Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false’” (John 1:4).

These men had been following Jesus throughout His earthly ministry. They had seen miraculous things, heard Him teach incredible truths, they watched Him be crucified, and have seen Him raised to life. Yet now, as Jesus has been raised from the dead, things have changed. He is meeting with them at various times and in ways they have not seen before. When Jesus came to them the second time and spoke to Thomas, John tells us, “A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” (John 20:26). Jesus, now glorified, was meeting with His disciples. His meetings with them prove He is the risen Savior, and they also serve as moments for Jesus to restore them as needed from moments of denial and doubt and finish preparing them to carry on His ministry.

When Jesus comes to meet these seven disciples, they have been fishing all night. Peter, James and John are returning to what they know. These men were called by Jesus to be fishers of men, yet after Jesus’ resurrection, they returned to what they were doing before Jesus called them.

Each one of them could tell a story about how Jesus had changed their life. They could recount miraculous signs and wonders and speak about the agony of watching their Lord die on a cross. Peter could recount the shame of denying Jesus before men, and Thomas, the moments of doubting. They could all testify to His resurrection, and yet now, Peter returns to fishing and the others join him. It is as if they are stuck between being totally changed by Jesus and not knowing what to do next.

John tells us they fished all night and caught nothing. Early the next morning, Jesus was on the shore and called to them, “‘Children, do you have any fish?’” (John 21:5). They did not recognize Jesus. When they said, no, they hadn’t caught anything, Jesus said, “‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some’” (John 21:6). When they did what He told them to do, their net became so full they could not haul it in. It was then that John said to Peter, “‘It is the Lord!’”

An entire night of fishing had yielded nothing. It was not until Jesus showed up and redirected their efforts that they caught more fish than they could haul in. The net full of fish had nothing to do with their effort or skill, but everything to do with the One who told them what to do. The One who showed up on the shore and gave them direction. Very soon, Jesus will commission His disciples saying, “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the same of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19). Perhaps these men needed a reminder of their calling and that the Lord is the One who fully equips them to do what He has called to do.

Jesus also cares for them. On the shore there is a charcoal fire burning with fish and bread on it. Jesus calls them to bring some of the fish they have caught and have breakfast. He has prepared a fire and prepared food for them, and there is nourishment after a long night of fishing. However, this breakfast is a reminder of their job as disciples. There is already fish on the fire, but Jesus says, “‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’” This moment is a picture of the mission He is sending them to do. He is sending out disciples to make disciples. They will go and bring in others who will believe in Jesus and receive the truth of the gospel. He provides the harvest, just as He filled their net, and they are to go and tell others about Him and bring them to Jesus who is waiting to receive them and send them out to be disciples also.

The application is for all of us who are followers of Jesus. We are His disciples sent out to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. The Lord sends us out to make new disciples. In the places God sends us, even in our workplaces, grocery stores, church groups, activities, everywhere He leads us, we must tell others about Him, so they will be brought to salvation in Him. Luke 10:2 says, “And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”  

This sweet moment on the shore of the Sea of Galilee is a moment for these disciples to be restored by the Lord and reminded of the ministry He has called them and equipped them to do. How graciously Jesus meets them where they are and brings them back to the ministry He has prepared for them. 

-Jennifer