Getting Skunked

April 15

Read: John 21:1-14

Getting Skunked!

“They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” (v.3)

What an odd detail to be captured for us in the scriptures. Why do you think it is that God wanted us to know this fact about there fishing trip? What is important for us to see here in this account of Jesus meeting the disciples on the beach? Was getting “skunked” and catching no fish a punishment? Was it because of their ignorance? What was it exactly?

It can be easy to go about everyday life and forget the role that Jesus plays in it. If we stop for a moment and think about what we know to be true it should be overwhelming; consider this:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:15-17)

It would be easy for Peter and the disciples to chock it up to just a “tough day at the office” when they catch no fish. Or maybe “the enemy” would want them to see it as some sort of punishment for being scared…. or for some other moral failure they had committed? (We know the error in that sort of thinking; read Job, or John 15: pruning is not punishment but rather preparation for future growth and bearing of fruit.) When Jesus shows up and provides an overwhelming amount of fish caught at the end of a frustrating evening of fishing, he is demonstrating many powerful truths for us as his people. Frustrating days at the office can become opportunities for us to refine what we believe to be true about Christ and experience his blessing and goodness. They need not be simply seen as “pointless” or “by chance” and they also need not be reduced to some cosmic punishment by a frustrated God. Here are some thoughts:

Jesus holds ALL THINGS together…

This was not an accident that the disciples caught nothing that night! Jesus demonstrates that he had knowledge of the fish and control. Look at what he brings about with their casting of the net! Do we really think that it was just a matter of them having forgotten / not tried casting off the other side of the boat! LOL. As we work out in the midst of the “every day world”, may we carry with us a strong sense of Jesus holding it all together and truly being King of kings, and Lord of lords. When we face set backs and frustrations, we can look top them as opportunities for Jesus to “show up on the beach” as we read here!

We will get “skunked” in our daily efforts at “work” and life if we do not rely on Christ or listen to where we tells us to “cast our nets”…

Peter and the disciples “caught no fish” when they functioned purely / simply / only on their own fishing knowledge and expertise. We all know that they had fished MANY times before and were “experts” in their field… yet - the greatest / fullest / truest / largest “haul” came as a result of listening to Christ and fishing WHERE he wanted them to fish, WHEN he wanted them to fish there. Where and when are we “casting our nets”? It could be the wrong place… or simply the wrong time! The greatest haul comes in God’s timing, through his methods, and from the direction of his son.

Even the worst nights fishing can end with the best morning catch…

I think Jesus wanted to show the disciples something encouraging, powerful, and true. The amount of fish they caught was more than they could eat themselves that morning. It would be a blessing to them and to their families. This blessing from Jesus would emanate out and impact so many others. When they came to the beach, Jesus already had some fish on the fire! (v.9) This was obviously not intended to be something selfish - it was a benevolent gift from Christ,. Jesus is sympathetic to our “tough days” and disappointments. He cares when we “work hard all night and catch nothing”. After some of our toughest “nights” of frustrated efforts, Jesus will meet us on the shore and bring us an abundant “catch”… a “net full” that will be more than we need in the moment and serve as a blessing to others. This is the CHARACTER of Christ. He puts this character on display at the beach that morning. Trust the goodness and character of Jesus. We WILL have our long nights of frustration and fruitless efforts, but they will ALWAYS… sooner or later… end with a beautiful “morning catch”. (cf. Heb. 11:6)

In short, when we rely on our own efforts and forget the role of Jesus in this world we more often than not suffer some pretty frustrating “nights at sea” where we catch nothing despite doing what we thought was best to do. When Christ meets us … shows up at work… shows up at the beach… and calls to us we need to listen. When we listen to Christ and cast our nets WHERE he tells us and do it WHEN he tells us to… that is where the great morning catch takes place. When we lean on our own understanding… we get SKUNKED. When we listen to Jesus… our nets will be full. BUT remember, to teach us this truth and allow us to experience it with power, Jesus is as much a part of the night catching no fish as he is the hero of the morning catch! Even though we may be the earthly “experts” in our trade / life / story - never forget to look to the one who truly “holds it all together”! And at the end of the day, Jesus wants to share a sweet meal together with you and hear all about. Love you guys. - JDP