John 21:2-3 (ASV) ² There was together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. ³ Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing.

Spring is my time of year. I absolutely love it. I love the freshness in the air after a late afternoon spring shower. The cool evening breezes blowing through the open windows of my apartment gives everything that springtime freshness. It is a time for fishing, hiking, bicycle riding, a late day stroll or anything else you can do in the great outdoors.

After being cooped up all winter springtime arrives with a welcoming offer to come outside and play. Backyards are full of children laughing, parents pruning and mowers humming as the smell of fresh cut grass fills the air. At last spring has arrived.

Students have difficulty focusing on their studies as the springtime sunshine beckons them to adjourn to the outdoors. Teachers also fight the temptation to take the class on a road trip. Those of us who must work for a living fight the urge to play hookie and head for the lake for a day of fishing.

Such must have been the feelings of Peter and some of the disciples. Jesus had just recently been crucified and appeared unto them as risen.

He had appeared to them on two prior occasions while they were hiding from fear of the Jews. In spite of His appearances things were different now.

The disciples where at a lose for what to do without Jesus leading them around each day. So Simon Peter being a fisherman by trade decided to go fishing. Five other disciples decided to go along with him.

Despite the fact that Peter was a fisherman they fished all night and caught nothing. That sounds a great deal like my fishing experiences. I have gone on several occasions only to come away with nothing to show for it but mosquito bites and a cold. I never did manage to catch anything on any of my so called fishing expeditions. I can certainly identify with their lack of a catch.

My lack of any significant catch during my fishing expeditions really did not come as much of a surprise considering my heart and focus was not really on catching any fish but rather on just being out on the lake enjoying the down time. My thoughts were centered on trying to figure a way around some of the stresses and problems facing me back on the shore.

Perhaps this was the problem facing Peter and the others. They really were not intent on catching anything but rather they were just enjoying the opportunity to do something other than hiding away in a locked room from fear.

Let’s go fishing must have sounded like a welcome relief from the stresses of the preceding weeks. Being out on the water felt like an old friend to someone who made a living on the water like Peter had. He had returned to what was familiar because he had been thrust into the world of the unknown.

Jesus, who was their constant companion for three years, was no longer with them on a daily basis. They felt lost and alone. Without direction or purpose.

Let us go fishing to take our minds off of the problems we face. Perhaps by doing something familiar it will take away the weight of the unknown.

They caught nothing. The time spent doing what was familiar really did not solve any of the real problems nagging away in their hearts.

No good thing came of their attempts to fix what was wrong with their world. Things turned from bad to worse. Not only where they aimless but now they could not even produce a result from their labor. Their usual routine had produced unusual results.

They caught nothing. Their hearts where as empty as their nets.

John 21:1 (ASV) After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifested himself on this wise.

John 21:4-6 (ASV) ⁴ But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. ⁵ Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. ⁶ And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Reality has a way of slapping you in the face at the most inopportune times. When you least expect it life will sneak up on you and demand you give an account.

Have you anything to eat? A voice calling them back to the shoreline. Back to reality. Back to the realization that they had labored hard for naught. Nothing was really accomplished on that boys night out.

No was the reply. We have nothing to share, we have caught nothing. Our nets are empty. Our resources are depleted. Not for lack of trying but for lack of desire perhaps.

Their hearts where just not in it. Perhaps they were just going through the motions. Not really enthused but it was a distraction from what was really on their minds. What are we going to do now?

Try it a different way came back the reply.  

Jesus has a way of breaking through our darkest night to shed a new light on any situation. Sometimes it takes fresh eyes to look at a problem to offer up a different perspective on things in order to break us free from our blindness and stubborn shortsightedness. Sometimes it takes an outsider to center our focus. Sometimes it takes a new approach, a change of tactic to reach the desired results.

A net full of fish. Full to overflowing. It was at this time that the disciples realized whom was speaking with them. Jesus had broken through the walls of separation once again like He had on the two other occasions. This time it was lack that was separating them from Him.

Only separated by a few hundred yards yet for them it seemed like Jesus was far away until He appeared near at hand. The appearance of Jesus being near changed their whole experience.

What once was empty now was full. What once was lost now was found. What once was dark now became light. Where there was hopelessness now there was renewed hope. Their nets were now full to overflowing!

John 21:7-8 (GW) ⁷ The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put back on the clothes that he had taken off and jumped into the sea. ⁸ The other disciples came with the boat and dragged the net full of fish. They weren’t far from the shore, only about 100 yards.

Simon Peter could not wait to get closer to Jesus. This shows that his focus was not really on fishing but finding that connection he felt before when Jesus was with them daily. He longed for that closeness, the warmth of Jesus’ presence. He desired to be near Him and to hear His voice.

Forget the fish. I found what I was fishing for Peter may have thought at that moment. Jesus is here!

There is something magical about a campfire at least it is for me. The warmth of the fire and the smell of wood burning transforms my mind to simpler times and places. I recall the times I would sit around the campfire while on vacation from a stressful job. The campground was my place of retreat. A place for getting back to basics. The simple things that I so longed for.

Sitting by the fire roasting marshmallows and making s-mores was a delightful experience. To this day, as I smell a wood fire burning, I recall those days relaxing by the fire.

John 21:9 (GW) When they went ashore, they saw a fire with a fish lying on the coals, and they saw a loaf of bread.

It is time for a good old fashioned campfire. A time to sit around the fire and reflect the warmth of friends and family and fellowship.

Come and eat.

Things must have looked brighter for Peter and the other disciples as they gathered around that fire. But just like the smell of a campfire reminds me of bygone days the flames from this fire brought back bitter memories to Peter’s mind. It was not so long ago that Peter was gathered around another fire where he had denied knowing Jesus.

Then they seized him (Jesus) and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55  And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.  Luke 22:54-62 (ESV)

A happy reunion had been tarnished by a blast from the past. How many times have some of our happy times been overshadowed by bad memories from the past? How have we at times enjoyed a certain activity only to find ourselves despising the same thing years later because of some past bad act?

Peter recalls sitting by another fire where he denied knowing Jesus. Peter is not alone. All the other disciples had fled or hid from fear.

When was the last time you found the heat from the fire burning deep within your soul as you recalled a time when you too denied knowing Christ?

When was the last time the heat of the moment  caused you, like Peter, to curse out loud that you DO NOT KNOW HIM?

Peter is not alone today. He has plenty of company sitting around that campfire. We too should be sitting right there with him if we are to be honest.

Jesus senses Peters discomfort and reaches out to comfort him.

John 21:15-17 (GW) ¹⁵ After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the other disciples do?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Jesus asked him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷ Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.

Jesus was reaching into Peter’s heart to heal a hurt that plagued him as he sat around that campfire. Jesus knew that Peter had denied him but He also knew that Peter loved Him as well.

Peter had a heart after Jesus but he required some encouragement. He had lost his way and Jesus being the light was leading him back into the fold. If you love me “Feed my sheep.”

This seems like a simple request but it carries with it the weight of eternity. Jesus requires all who love Him to take care of His sheep.

We are called like Peter to feed His sheep not sheer them, beat them, try to change them, we are just to feed them. We have all been given the command to TEND TO MY SHEEP. We must all sit around that campfire with Jesus and have our hearts checked as well.

As you prepare your Bar-B-Q’s this spring and summer season take time to reflect on the words of this passage of scripture. If you love me feed my sheep.

Take time to prepare a feast for a child of God. Take time to sit around the fire and fellowship with fellow believers. Take time to reflect and rekindle the fire of the love of God within your hearts.  

As you build your campfire take time to tell your family about your first experience with finding Jesus. Tell others how He has changed your life.

Take time to FEED HIS LAMBS. 

Apart from Christ we can do nothing but through Christ we can do all things.

Let’s go fishing!