The Appearance to the Seven Disciples
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Jn 21:1-14
1Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. 2Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. 13Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
You will find something. The risen Jesus has twice revealed himself to the disciples. Apparently, however, they have not caught it yet. They think it is time to move on and get back to “normal”—that is, go back to work as usual to earn a living.
The disciples fish the whole night but catch nothing. No big deal. These experienced fishermen are used to unproductive sorties in the sea. But the risen Jesus shows the way out of this vicious cycle of trial and error and of success and failure. Jesus tells his disciples to cast their nets, they obey his command, and the result is a bumper catch.
With Jesus’ resurrection, life is never the same. The risen Jesus tells us, “Listen to me, do as I say, and you will find something.”
Rely on no one or nothing but only on Jesus.
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