Man Over Board
Or
One Last Grand Fishing Story
Sunday Oct. 22, 2023
Scripture To Consider:
“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, Nathaniel of Cana of Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’ They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.”
“But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ And He said to them, ‘Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’”
“Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.” John 21.1-8
Something To Consider:
Every group has its ring leader, and Simon Peter never hesitated stepping up or speaking out. On this occasion he decided to go fishing and six other disciples followed him down to the Sea of Tiberias, also known as the Sea of Galilee and the Sea of Gennesaret.
It is actually an oval shaped lake which is approximately thirteen miles long and six miles wide. As on another occasion they fished all night and caught nothing, which was quite humbling for these professional fishermen.
What is it that we have attempted to do either out of boredom or unbelief? What is it that we have, like these disciples, what have we attempted to accomplish without Christ in our boat or without His divine direction? These early disciples eventually learned this lesson of a lifetime. How about us?
Something Else To Consider:
In the dim morning light Jesus stood on the shoreline but was not recognized by those fishing. After a short exchange as to how the fishing was, Jesus said to them, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So, they did as the supposed stranger on the shore had instructed them.
Now Peter had grown in his spiritual understanding and in obedience. Earlier in another similar incident, Peter questioned the Lord’s suggestion to cast his nets out after fishing all night and catching nothing. On that occasion, Peter cast out one net, instead of the nets [plural] Jesus had suggested.
The end result of Peter’s not obeying the Lord’s Word was a breaking apart of one single net full of fish. And so, Peter accepted the advice of this apparent stranger, and their one last fishing trip surprisingly affords them one last grand fishing story.
Then John the beloved disciple recognized that it was Jesus, and this caused Peter to put on his outer coat and jump overboard to swim the three hundred feet to shore. Was Peter showing off or just wanting to get to Jesus as soon as possible? Personally, I wonder if anyone yelled, “Man overboard!” And if so, did someone else come back with, “no, it’s just Peter.”
Simon Peter was indeed a unique individual who loved Jesus and was ashamed and sorry for ever denying Jesus during His mock trial. But then, most of us are sorry for something we have said or done, or not said and not done. Jesus plans to gently deal with that of Peter’s past in due time.
Something More To Consider:
Do we ever feel as though we are the man or woman overboard? Do we ever feel as though out of boredom or unbelief we have created a separation from Jesus or a loved one? Like Peter, at the mention of Jesus, are we willing to risk it all in erasing whatever distance there is between us and them or us and Him?
Peter has something he needs forgiveness for, and as mentioned earlier, Jesus will deal with that in due time as He does with us and our unconfessed sin. But until then, Peter is in need of recovering a closeness with Jesus that has widened in his own heart because of fear and unbelief.
What is it that makes us feel as though we are the man or woman overboard? How do we lessen that vastness of a gap except through a prayer of repentance? We no longer have to swim three hundred feet of lake water, but rather seek forgiveness in the stillness of a moment in our own mind and heart!
A Few Final Words:
What will be the ending to our last grand fishing story? Will we be able to claim ourselves as the one lost fish caught by Jesus and safely landed on the shore of eternity? If so, it will take faithful enduring to the end! If so, it will take our seeking forgiveness when needed.
Early in the ministry days of Jesus, He called Peter and Andrew his brother, by saying to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” What is it that Jesus has called us to or to do while here on earth? Peter grew in humble obedience to the point of taking the advice of a thought of stranger concerning fishing. What about us? Are we willing to take the advice of others? Are we willing to take the advice and end time warnings of the Word of God?
According to John’s record, “And He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” This is not a lesson on how to follow Jesus and He will make you rich with the rewards of this life as many falsely teach. This is a lesson of personal obedience to the Word of Jesus. How are we doing?
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, may we be mindful of Jesus at all times so that we might recognize His presence at the sound of His voice. May we be found at His coming again observing all things that Jesus taught. In Him Always, Amen!
According to Jesus 