Fish, Part 1: Got Fish?

Josh Lease, Student Ministries Pastor

John 21:1-3
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

In Peter’s confusion and shame, he returns to .

John 21:4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

If Jesus stood on the shore of your life, would you have the to recognize him?

John 21:5-6
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
        “No,” they answered.
        He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”

Luke 5:4-7
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon (Peter), “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
        Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
        When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Will you try the of the boat?

John 21:7-8
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

How we respond to God tells us a lot about .

John 21:9-11
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
        Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

John 18:18 (ESV)
Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

If you never get off the boat, you won’t have the chance to .

John 21:12-13
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.

Jesus’ invitation to you: .

At breakfast, Peter’s hunger for redemption was by the charcoal fire.

Small Group Questions

1. It seems like people either love fishing or hate it. How about you?
2. What do you think are some barriers that keep you from recognizing Jesus in your life on a daily basis?
3. How do you respond to God when you experience shame? Do you run close to him? Do you create distance between yourself and him? What does this tell you about who you think he is?
4. How might Jesus be inviting you to draw close and “have breakfast” with him? What is something tangible you can do this week to draw close to him?
5. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?