Ep. 149: The Fish miracle
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MATTHEW 28:16, JOHN 21:1-24
The scene moves to the Lake of Galilee. The manifestation to Thomas and the restoration of unity in the ‘Apostolic Circle’ had occurred. On that morning there were only seven Apostles by the lake. Five of them only are named. They are those who most closely kept in company with him - perhaps also they who lived nearest the lake. The scene is introduced by Peter’s proposal to go fishing. It seems as if the old habits had come back to them with the old associations. Peter’s companions naturally proposed to join him. All that still, clear night they were on the lake but caught nothing. Then there stood the figure of One whom they did not recognise, not even when he spoke. Yet his words were intended to bring them this knowledge. The direction to cast the net to the right side of the ship brought them, as he had said, the haul for which they had toiled all night in vain.
They stepped onto the beach. They dared not even dispose of the netful of fishes which they had dragged on to the shore until he directed them what to do. And now Jesus directed them to bring the fish they had caught. When Peter dragged up the net, it was found full of great fish, not less than a hundred and fifty-three in number. There is no need to attach any symbolic importance to that number, as the Church Fathers and later writers have done. This, as John notes, was the third appearance of Christ to the disciples as a body.
And still, this morning of blessing was not ended. Attention moved to Peter. Had Peter not confessed, quite honestly, yet, as the event proved, mistakenly, that his love to Christ would endure even an ordeal that would disperse all the others? And had he not, almost immediately afterwards and though prophetically warned of it, three times denied his Lord? It was to this that the threefold question to the risen Lord now referred. Turning to Peter, with gentle irony mixed with personal affection. He asked: ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.’ And even here the answer of Christ is characteristic. it was to set him first the humblest work, that which needed most tender care and patience. ‘Feed my Lambs.’ Yet a second time came the same question, although now without the reference to the others and then a third time did Jesus repeat the same question. Peter was grieved at this threefold repetition. It recalled only too bitterly his threefold denial.
Yes, and Peter did love the Lord Jesus. He had loved him when he said it, only too confident in the strength of his feelings, that he would follow the Master even to death. And Jesus saw it all.
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £12 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)