So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. Jesus begins by returning to the same setting that had once so captivated Peter that he was willing to leave it all behind to follow Him: . Now, Jesus is giving him another chance to believe the whole Word of God and let down all of his nets for a tremendous blessing. I too often fish the wrong side of my boat! Jesus had called them to so much greater. He was utterly ashamed of himself, mainly because of his denial, but also because he had been "caught" by Jesus resigning as a disciple. John 21:3-6. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Are we ever tempted to return to the way we lived before Christ? Now that Jesus has died, He's revealed Himself to the disciples in the upper room, disappeared againPeter has gone home, gone back to his former way of life. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him. Jesus And Peter. So we can assume that Peter was there. Granted, he had a long way to go before he became the rocklike Christian that Jesus foresaw. Question is why did Peter still have his boat, his ship? These very things about Peter, the unlearned, rather rough, clumsy fisherman, are the very things which attract us to him. It would be both a push and a pull; push away from doubt, pull closer to faith. Even though the disciples, Peter included, saw Jesus alive and touched the scars, it didnt seem real. I cant speak for Peter, but for me, it would have reinforced why I have to hold on to the goodness of Christs promise and run from my weaknesses. And evidently, he had brought the others with him. God was still at work, but during this time He let Peter and the other disciples go back to fishing. But, like I said, this fishing trip was not a permanent decision, they were just killing time. Jesus is more than just concerned about us. Heather Pine Occupational Therapist assistant in pediatrics, one degree in Psychology Author has 4.1K answers and 2.6M answer views 6 y No. The disciples, fishers by trade, were reminded on that day that following Christ is far important than the fish they could ever catch. Supposedly, this is to be a reminder of their calling to take the Gospel to the nations. You remember the rest of the story. 3. They have said that they should have started proclaiming Jesus' resurrection. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. In his own way, Peter was trying to be protective of - to 'look out' for - Jesus. The same applies to us. We read where Peter denied Christ three times, then wept bitterly (Mt. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. He said: 'Lord, you know everything. Peter left his career as a fisherman to follow Jesus. We might quickly ask ourselves why they are in Galilee and not still in Jerusalem, but they are from Galilee and it would be natural for them to return home after some time. He saw the strips of linen lying there as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. They say, We also go with thee They were as willing as he to labour for a . Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. I thought, how human of Peter. At once they left their nets and followed him. Peter here says, I am going fishing. This may not seem profound, but it really is! May this increase our faith in Christ that we may live only for Him. After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Let's get some discussion going! 3 Tests Of Plagiarism: Do Your Sermons Pass Them. According to tradition, St. 1 Did Peter go back to fishing after Jesus died? Christ-centered devotionals walking with Jesus verse-by-verse through books of the Bible. Its a call that will require you to step into a new reality, a new life. New Life: Fishing Again? Posted by kierley on January 21, 2012 in The Life of Peter. Surely he funded and financed much of the ministry of Jesus. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ", And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." You will judge the world with righteousness, We long for and look forward to the glorious day, A Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), located in Forest Hill, Maryland, Christian Counseling & Education Foundation. This move has provided tremendous freedom and fulfillment for my call. Romans 8:35, Who will separate us from the love of Christ? And he follows Jesus throughout his ministry here on earth. Knowing that these guys were fishermen by trade, it must've been very disappointing. Apostles Spread Christianity After the Death of Jesus The Apostles spread Christianity from Jerusalem to Damascus, to Antioch, to Asia Minor, to Greece, and finally to Rome. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". How was this sacrificial lamb, resurrected or not, going to free them from Roman rule? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Now, He is going to restore him and renew the call. Tauntonwater.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. From disappointment to joy To help us understand the account, here's a backgrounder: John 21:2-3 tells us that Peter went fishing, accompanied by some of the disciples. Then he said to him, Follow me! Why did Peter decide to go. Peter here is saying, that I am returning to what I know. Peter went to the tomb of Christ and saw that He wasnt there. I would love for you to express your thoughts on my blog in order to strengthen our common conversation. Whatever our careers, we are called to follow Christ and obey Him. Upon this realization, Peter throws himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. Verse 3 says "they caught nothing" even after spending a whole night fishing. II. The second was the image of his weakness. He needs me to do next. Read it carefully and remember two things: Peter did not expect to deny his Lord. Think of what Peter did before knowing Christ, he was a fisherman! Whats the response of Peter from the revelation of Jesus? It is easy to say we must drop the net of our current vocation to fulfill what God has designed for us, but that is not always the case as you so carefully explained. Recently Ive supplemented my income by returning to some corporate work to relieve financial burdens from the ministries Im involved with and, most importantly, relieve the financial burden I put my family in. Peters fish and is separated from meat according to Lenten standards. When they returned to Peter and Andrew's hometown, Capernaum, Peter decided he needed to give some attention to his fishing business. I said, Dad, do you want to fish? What an idea! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Ive heard it said that if a person can understand the why, they can get to the how. Why Did the Disciples Go Fishing After Walking with Jesus, Peter Goes Fishing Again Believer Links, Peter Goes Back To Fishing Sermon by Michael Durst, John , Why did the disciples immediately go back to working as , Be Fishers of Men Not of Fish (John 21:1-17) All-Creatures.org, You cant go back to your fishing nets Peter! This has greatly inspired and revived me. What did the disciples do after Jesus ascended? He would equip the machine with a fail-safe that would allow Peter's consciousness to travel forward in time, see the damage destroying the other universe would cause, which would, in turn, cause Peter to make a different decision. 1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. To save items to a SermonFolder, please sign in to your account. Remember that before the crucifixion, Peter had denied Jesus three times. So I found a job to keep a roof over my head The disciple who once vowed, I do not know the man! now says to Jesus, Yes Lord, you know that I love you three times. 4Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. This is the first of five miracles that is recorded which Christ performed which involved the Sea of Galilee. 1.) Jesus asked a third time. Thanks for the reminder! So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish. This seems to be mere speculation. I need your very best. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. " [Jesus] said to them: 'Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.'. Lastly, we read in John 21:12-13 that Jesus had breakfast prepared for the disciples, even as they were just going ashore. Peter would indeed be fishing again for people! John 21:2-3, ESV Some time after the resurrection of Jesus, seven of Jesus eleven disciples were together in Galilee. What are the physical state of oxygen at room temperature? (Not all the apostles were there.) They thought they had followed the savior of the world only to see Him crucified. Whenever you feel the darkness closing in, remember Peter. Matthew 16:18, And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.. My question would be, why has God led you there? Jesus' request is precisely what happened the second time when Peter went fishing after the Crucifixion. Then, recognizing his wrong and weakness, "he went out, and wept.". After his denials, Peter was acutely aware of his own inadequacy, his own failings, his own weakness. This image had to lift his spirits. A.) God wants us to simply believe in Him and His Word. We know from later in the chapter, one of the two others is John. 81. Then when Peter feels pulled back into his old familiar lifestyle, Jesus shows up and reminds the fisherman of who He is and who Peter has become. Peter, James, and John pulled in a miraculous catch. Please note that for the sake of the trust of my readers, I do reserve the right to remove comments that are offensive or off-topic. Could not pull it back in, remember Peter and remember two things: did... On the shore ; yet the disciples, even as they were as willing he... Careers, we read where Peter denied Christ three times and I will make fishers... To him the Gospel to the nations 2.6M answer views 6 y No were just going ashore in the and!, a new reality, a new life had denied Jesus three times with. Found a job to keep a roof over my head the disciple Who once,! And weakness, & quot ; they say, we also go with thee they were casting a net the. Their calling to take the Gospel to the tomb of Christ my head disciple. His denials, Peter included, saw Jesus alive and touched the,... 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