At The Sea Of Galilee

THE apostles now return to Galilee, as Jesus had earlier instructed them to do. But they are uncertain about what they should do their. After a while, Peter tells Thomas, Nathanael, James and his brother John, and two other apostles: "I am going fishing." "We also are coming with you," the six reply.

During the whole night, they fail to catch anything. However, just as it is getting light, Jesus appears on the beach, but the apostles do not discern that it is Jesus. He shouts: "Young children, you do not have anything to eat, do you?" "No!" They shout back across the water. Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some," he says. And when they do, they are unable to draw in their net because of all the fish. "It is the Lord!" John cries. On hearing this, Peter girds on his top garment, for he has taken his clothes off, and plunges into the sea. He then swims about a hundred yards to shore. The other apostles follow in the little boat, dragging the net full of fish.

When they arrive on shore, there is a charcoal fire, with fish lying on it, and there is bread. "Bring some of the fish you just now caught," Jesus says. Peter goes aboard and pulls the net ashore. It contains 153 large fish! "Come take your breakfast, Jesus invites. None of them have the courage to ask, "Who are you?" Because all of them know that it is Jesus. This is his seventh postresurrection appearance, and his third to the apostles as a group. He now serves breakfast, giving each of them some bread and fish.

When they finished eating, Jesus, likely looking toward the large catch of fish, asks Peter: "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" No doubt he means, are you more attached to the fishing business than to the work that I have prepared for you to do? "You know that I have affection for you," Peter responds. "Feed my lambs," Jesus replies. Again, a second time, he asks: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you," Peter answers earnestly. "Shepherd my little sheep," Jesus commands again. Then, yet a third time, he asks: "Simon son of John, do you have affection for me?"

By now Peter is grieved. He may be wondering if Jesus doubts his loyalty. After all, when Jesus was recently on trial for his life, Peter three times denied knowing him. So Peter says: "Lord, you know all these things; you are aware that I have affection for you." "Feed my little sheep," Jesus commands a third time. Jesus thus uses Peter as a sounding board to impress upon the others the work that he wants them to do. He will soon leave the earth, and he wants them to take the lead in ministering to those who will be drawn into God's sheepfold.

Next time: Conclusion of At The Sea Of Galilee

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991