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There are two Gospel accounts in which Peter, a professional fisherman, is stunned by how many fish wind up in his nets.
The first incident happens at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. The other happens at the very end. The first time, Peter begs Jesus to go away. The second time, he rushes to Jesus’ side.
What accounts for such a dramatic change?
Let’s begin with the first account, which appears in Luke 5:1-12.
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret [another name for the Sea of Galilee] with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by fishermen, who were washing their nets [nets needed to be regularly washed so they wouldn’t rot].
“He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon [that is, Peter], and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘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.’”
Let’s pause for a moment. Peter is saying, “Look, I may not understand everything you were just teaching, but I know a little something about fishing. You don’t catch the kinds of fish that swim in this lake in the middle of the morning. Trust me. I know fishing.”
Most of us have had a similar thought cross our minds. I don’t need some Messiah telling me how to do what I already know how to do. I don’t need a lecture from Jesus about how to sell real estate, or pay my light bill, or use a rototiller. I know how to coach soccer. I know how to make Alfredo sauce. I know how to do my company’s payroll.
These are, of course, the very areas in which it is most difficult for us to follow Jesus. That’s because we don’t think he has anything to tell us.
It’s hard for us even to imagine cooking or coaching or day trading or hanging wallpaper as spiritual activities – especially hanging wallpaper. But the meaning of the resurrection – the core message of Easter – is that Jesus is loose in the world. He is loose everywhere – which means no matter what you happen to be doing, Jesus is in your boat. Just as he had climbed into Peter’s boat.
Returning to our text: “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.’”
That word “but” may represent Peter’s very first surge of faith. Lord, our nets are empty. We’ve pulled out all the stops and done everything we know how to do. But…just in case you do in fact have some clue as to what is going on in our humble profession, we’ll give it a shot.
Whereupon their minds are seriously blown.
“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.”
What does Jesus say to every one of us? “Listen to me. Let me influence you. I am in your boat, and I know what you are facing today.”
Right now Jesus is in your marriage. He is in that mess you’re facing at work. He is in your financial disaster. Jesus is in your boat whether you’re out in a storm or drifting aimlessly or anguishing over empty nets or wondering what to do with nets that are so full you suspect a miracle has taken place.
As Craig Barnes puts it in Sacred Thirst, “Jesus can find us while we are on the way to the top or the bottom; on the way to a great career or a terrible divorce. He can find us on the way to our first apartment or on the way to a nursing home; on the way to give birth or on the way to bury the dead.”
Is Peter excited about this? No. He is horrified. He is immediately overcome by the reality of his unworthiness.
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’” Please, Lord, get off my boat.
If Jesus had replied, “You’re not kidding that you’re a train wreck,” he would have been absolutely, theologically correct. But no such words need to be exchanged. Peter is already right where he needs to be. He can now receive grace because he knows how much he needs grace. Peter leaves his boat behind and follows Jesus.
Which brings us to the second Gospel account of burgeoning nets.
We find it in John 21, which happens on an unspecified morning following Jesus’ resurrection.
The disciples are now living in a whole new world. Their master isn’t dead. He’s alive. So, what are they supposed to be doing? When in doubt, Peter defaults to his old way of life. “Guys, I’m going fishing,” he says to his friends. The other disciples reply, in so many words, “Save us a place in the boat.”
After a night of fishing futility, a stranger on the shore encourages them to drop their nets over the side one more time. The result is a spectacular haul – 153 large fish. It suddenly dawns on Peter, having experienced this scenario before, that he knows who that stranger is. “It’s the Lord!” he shouts.
But this time Peter doesn’t run or hide or beg Jesus to go away. Instead, he plunges into the water and swims furiously toward shore.
The one place he wants to be is next to his Lord.
What had changed over the previous three years?
Peter had been with Jesus when he had healed paralytics. And cast out demons. And raised a child from the dead. And fed thousands of people with a handful of loaves and fishes. And walked on the water in a storm. And dismissed the storm with a simple command. And stood up to the religious elite. And stayed silent before a kangaroo court. And forgiven his tormentors even as he died.
When Peter first suspected who Jesus might be, he wanted nothing to do with him. When he found out that Jesus was all that and more, Jesus was all he wanted.
The one thing he didn’t do was ignore him.
Where are you today? Does Jesus scare you? Does he fascinate you? Or do you consider him not worth a moment of your time?
Don’t be afraid that your life has turned out to be such a disappointment that Jesus won’t climb into your boat.
He got into Peter’s boat, and Peter was, as they say, a hot mess express.
As the author Anne Lamott reminds us, “It’s OK to see yourself as crazy and damaged, because all the best people are.”
The wonderful news is that no one is better at turning a life in a new direction than Jesus.