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    • Welcome to the Family
I ‘m Going Out to Fish
 
The sea was calm; the mountains in the distance reflected in the water. Birds sang their songs, the waves gently lapping rhythmically against the shore, the disciples quiet.
 
They were talked out. Days had passed since the events of Passover. They needed to get away – to reflect on the last few days – the last three years.
 
Some had been called to follow Jesus from the very shores at which they sat. Some had followed later, catching the enthusiasm, the excitement, the joy, the peace that His followers shared. Some reflected on the miracles – they had witnessed the lame made whole, the blind given sight, the deaf hearing, the sick restored to health, even the dead brought back to life. Such sights were hard to forget. The joy in the voices of those touched by Jesus echoed in their minds.  
 
Yet He was more than a healer. He was a teacher. Some remembered the time they were walking through the fields and He had them “consider the lilies,” that was a great lesson. Then there was the time he taught them to pray – phrases filled their thoughts. “Daily bread” – it reminded them of the time their forefathers spent wandering in the wilderness across the river. They were given bread only for the day – nothing could keep the night – each day but the Sabbath Day was spent in gathering bread for the day. God provided for them at the moment. “Daily bread,” one remembered the time Jesus was asked to pay taxes. They caught a fish and there was the tax money. “Daily bread,” the thousands that were fed with a few fish and loaves – that was a great meal – two times He fed thousands – that was “Daily bread.”
 
“Forgive,” they could not forget His words on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” That was forgiveness – Peter wondered if he could ever be forgiven.
 
Each in his own way was lost in the memories of the last three years – the last weeks – the Passover, the arrest, the trial, the crucifixion, the resurrection, their future. They had talked, argued, and discussed their fears, their hopes, and their future. They had returned to their familiar place – their quiet place – the shores of the lake.
 
The declaration brought each out of his private musings, “I’m going out to fish.”
 
Peter rose and started to get ready to go out on the lake. He removed his garments, readied the nets and started to push the boat into the water.
 
“Wait, we’ll go with you,” each in turn made preparations to join Peter.
 
The workings of the boat, the casting of the net, the muscles straining felt good. They were used to the hard work. They looked for the signs of the best place to cast the nets, drawing upon skills long ago abandoned. Excitement grew with each cast – are there fish in the net?
 
Soon the sun set – glorious oranges and reds gave way to pinks and blues. Indigo crept across the sky, the stars shinning brightly as the sky turned to black. The moon reflected across the dark water, the stars beacons giving direction. Each cast became more and more deliberate, excitement waning with each empty net dragged on board.
 
The stars turned below the horizon, the eastern sky shone in colors – blues turned to pinks turned to oranges and yellows – the dawning sun shone on a fatigued group of disciples – hungry – sweaty – but with rested minds. The work allowed their minds to rest – at least for a little while.
 
A figure called out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
 
“No,” was the disappointed response.
 
“Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some,” shouted the stranger.
 
They were tired, they were hungry, they were fisherman and this stranger – on shore – was telling them how to fish. But, they did.
 
The catch was so large – 153 –  that the nets strained.
 
Who was this stranger?
 
Ah, the thoughts raced back to another time a stranger told them to cast out their nets. This was Jesus!
 
Peter dressed himself and jumped into the water to race to his Lord.
 
The disciples soon followed with their fish and the fire waiting on shore warmed them. They cooked fish, they talked, they listened, they were excited, they basked in the Son shine!
 
Jesus caught Peter’s eye, stood, motioned and started walking down the beach. Peter followed. The disciples continued their discussions, allowing Jesus to put His arm around Peter and ask, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
 
Peter never hesitated,
 
      "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."


Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
 
 
 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
 
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."


Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
 
The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"


Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"
 
He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
 
Peter was hurt – three times – why three times? Peter denied Jesus three times. The denial still rang in his ears.
 
Peter was hurt – Jesus asked him, “Do you agape (love Me – perfectly)?” The best Peter could answer was, “Yes, Lord, you know that I philio (love You as a brother) you.” Jesus was asking for unconditional love, Peter couldn’t commit. Ah, but the third time – the third time Jesus asked Peter, “Do you  philio me?” Peter was hurt.
 
But Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” There was no hint of condemnation – no sign that Jesus was upset with Peter – He was forgiven
 
Peter did feed the sheep!
 
Peter returned to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. Filled with the Holy Spirit he boldly preached Christ – he warned – he pleaded – and baptized 3,000 people. Peter, the fisherman, called to be a fisher of men, denied Christ, filled with the spirit, fed the sheep, fed the lambs.
 
I need to go fishing. I sit in the pew and hear the message, I sing the songs, I pray the prayers and I leave. I ponder the messages, I think back to what has been proclaimed, sung, prayed and I wonder. I wonder – is it real? I am a poor miserable sinner – can I really be forgiven? I denied Christ – not three times in a courtyard – but three time three times three times – daily.
 
I fear. I fear that I will be mocked or ignored or laughed at because I am a Christian. I fear that I will not be liked or listened to or that my family will think I am better then them because I love Jesus.
 
I am anxious. Can God really use me? Can He take the mess that I am and use it for His good? His glory? Build His kingdom?
 
I long to sit with the disciples by the sea and return to the familiar, the friendly, and the safe. I want to do that which is comfortable – to fish the friendly waters.
 
Jesus calls me to His breakfast. He puts His arm around me and asks, “Do you agape Me?”
 
Do I love Jesus? Yes! Do I agape  Him? Ah, there is the rub. Without the Holy Spirit the best I can answer is “Yes, Lord, you know that I  philio you.”
 
I have the Holy Spirit! He lives in me and by His power I shout out “Yes, Lord, I can  agape You.” The Spirit encourages, strengthens and empowers me to do that which I cannot by my own reason or strength accomplish.
 
I can talk to a waitress and introduce her to Jesus. I can engage a salesclerk in conversation and introduce her to Jesus. I can dismiss a telemarketer’s pitch with my own proclamation of Jesus as Lord. I can even stand up to my family and proclaim Christ as Lord, Savior and King of the world.
 
I can live my life fishing – using the interests of the world for bait and the power of the Spirit to fill the net. What joy that brings!
 
He is risen!
 
 
 

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