Lest We Forget

Lest We Forget

John 21:1-14

Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz

John 21:1 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.

John 21:4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “aCast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

John 21:9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. 10 Jesus *said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus 1was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

We are in the last chapter of John’s Gospel. Many scholars consider this chapter an add on to the original writing. Some believe it is a logical epilogue of the Gospel. It serves an interesting purpose. When Jesus was crucified, John, who loved him, remained with him while the others scattered. But Jesus appeared to them on Easter evening. Therefore, they knew Jesus was the true Messiah and a part of what became the Trinity. So, the question is why would they return to fishing at Capernaum?

I am assuming Capernaum because the Gospel says that they were at the Sea of Tiberius. This was another name for the Sea of Galilee. Therefore, it is logical to assume that they are home, well, at least Peter’s home. Seven of the disciples are mentioned in the narrative. There are four missing from the group. We don’t know where they were at that moment. Interestingly, the narrative mentions Nathanael. We have heard nothing about him since chapter one. We learn he was from the town of Cana. Let me refresh your memory. Cana was where Jesus and Mary, his mother, attended a wedding and changed water into wine. This is the first miracle in the Gospel.

It has been suggested by scholars that the disciples did not know what to do. That seems odd. The scene has the men going back to their occupations. They were fishers. This outing was a difficult one because they did not catch any fish. This is odd because the Sea of Galilee was full of fish. They heard a man from the shore telling them to toss their nets out again. This time they caught so many fish that the net almost tore. Then they recognized Jesus.

A fish fry follows, and the men recognize they are in the company of Jesus. Pretty cool story. However, what does it mean as a spiritual lesson for us? The narrative suggests that the disciples either forgot about Jesus and the mission or believed the mission was over after his death. Both seem unlikely, but the story is not about them evangelizing the Gospel but they went back to their old lives.

How could these men have traveled with Jesus, seen all the signs and miracles, witnessed Jesus’ rising from the dead, and then return to their old jobs? Wait a minute, doesn’t that happen today to many people? How many people come to a church worship celebration on Sunday and by Sunday afternoon they are back to their old lives and ways?