ON THE SEA OF GALILEE

In the previous study we saw the Lord Jesus on the road to Emmaus (on land). Here we are to see Him as He appears on the sea and, finally, we shall see Him as He appears in the air. The scene here is a familiar and popular spot — the Sea of Galilee, the world's most famous body of water.

It will be of interest to note those present. "There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples" (John 21:2); an interesting group that might be called "the convention of problem children"— each a problem in his own way.

First and foremost was Simon Peter — impulsive, impetuous, affectionate, even saying that he would lay down his life for his Lord. Thomas was also present — Thomas the magnificent skeptic, always raising some question or casting some doubt. Then there was Nathanael, a doubter at the beginning of Christ's ministry. While Nathanael was lying asleep under a fig tree Philip came and said, "Come, we have found Him." Nathanael said, "Well, where did He come from?" And hearing that He had come out of Galilee said, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" However, he went with Philip to the Lord Jesus, who said to him, "I saw you when you were asleep under the fig tree." It was then that Nathanael made his first confession: "Thou art the King of Israel; thou art the Son of God."

In the group were James and John, to whom Jesus gave the name "sons of thunder," a name well deserved. There were two other disciples, but I cannot confirm who they were, their names are not mentioned. And since the Holy Spirit omitted them, let us identify ourselves with them — you and McGee; we are the two who were probably among the problem children at the Sea of Galilee.

The last time we saw the disciples they were at Jerusalem. Now notice what they do. "Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a-fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing."

Many worthy commentators condemn these men for going fishing. But the Lord Jesus did not rebuke them. Let us turn to Bishop Ryle who, commenting on this passage, says: "I see no harm whatever in Peter's conduct on this occasion." And may I say, they were there by commandment — His commandment. In Mark 16:7 we read: "But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." Read also Matthew 28:7,10. They are at the Sea of Galilee by commandment!

It was springtime in Galilee, and the surrounding hills were green with new grass and gay with wild flowers. As they walked along the shores they saw Simon Peter's ship (the one in which the Lord Jesus had been before). It was idly riding at anchor; they were idle too.

They waited at length and the Lord did not appear. Finally Simon Peter, pacing on shore like a caged lion, blurted out to the others: "I'm going fishing, fellows." The others made it unanimous, and entering the boat immediately started out.

We are confident that some well-meaning souls will say, "Boys, you ought to have remained there and waited on the Lord." But they did not wait and twiddle their thumbs. Idleness hurts the cause of Christ more than anything else. Folk that are not busy working for Him are doing things that idle hands find to do. Thus these disciples — and we want to say it carefully — were not out of the will of God in going out to sea that night.

You will read in that passage that they fished all night and caught nothing. Dr. Scott says that it was the failure of experts. They knew fish and where and how to catch them — but they did not catch them that night. That night of failure was in the plan and purpose of Almighty God.

The psalmist says in Psalm 1, speaking of God's men, "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season." The fruitage of man's labor will come forth at a time when it will fit into God's plan and purpose. We are living in a day when everything is measured by the yardstick of materialism. Mathematics is the language of the hour, and to many it is the language of success. Statistics are the inspired spirit of the world. We measure the effectiveness of evangelistic crusades by figures. When will we learn that spiritual values cannot be determined by figures?

They fished all night and caught nothing! It is easy to fish when you catch fish, but it is hard to fish when the fish are not biting.

My favorite missionary is Mackay of Formosa. That great Scotsman asked the British East India Company to take him to Formosa, but they said they would not dare put in where many sailors had been murdered. He then applied to the Dutch East India Company. They replied, "We go into harbor and trade with the boats that come out. If you are determined to go, we will put you and your trunk in a boat and let you go on your own responsibility — the minute you land you will be killed." Mackay said, "God has called me."

They put him and his goods in a boat and said goodby. He was often sighted on shore by ships. Marrying a native, he lived there for twenty years and died without apparently making a convert. Upon his death a revival broke out, and it is said that the number reached at that time in Formosa was nearly 100 per cent. Mackay went through a night of throwing out nets and getting nothing. But the morning came to Formosa because Mackay had fished at the instruction of the Lord Jesus.

Judson of Burma had the same experience. His missionary society in New York wanted to bring him home. They asked, "What are the prospects?" He replied, "The prospects are as bright as the promises of God." Living according to Christ's instructions is the most important thing!

The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. Cold and hungry they had pulled their wet nets into the boat. "But when the morning was now come Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." He said unto them, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him. No." That is the question He is bound to ask everyone of us some day — "Have you caught anything?"

Then note that He said unto them, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." Without questioning they put in the net. The Lord Jesus wants to direct the lives of His own even in the little details — even in such matters as where you put in the net.

The draught of fish was such that John realized who had been speaking. "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord." John had a spiritual perception that the other disciples apparently did not have, at least Simon Peter did not have it. The minute Simon Peter's attention was called to the fact that the Person speaking was the living Christ, he girded his fisher's coat around him, for he was naked, and cast himself into the sea, swimming to shore that he might come to Christ.

Turn back to an incident in Luke 5 and read where some of these men had fished all night and catching nothing had come to shore. They were washing their nets when the Lord Jesus entered into the boat with Simon Peter and began to teach the multitudes on the shore. When He had finished He said, "Push out into the deep." As expert fishermen they knew that fish could be caught only at night. But that morning the Lord Jesus said, "Cast down your net," and they obeyed.

Simon Peter said in effect, "O Lord, you called me to leave my nets; you called me to obey you and I failed, and I have done the thing that I probably should not have done. Why do you not deal with someone worthy — I am a miserable failure." But the Lord Jesus would not let him alone. Thus we see that after the resurrection had taken place, Simon Peter again was fishing, and hearing that the Lord was standing on the shore, he jumped into the water and swam to Him, for in a private interview he found that the resurrected Christ forgives sinners.

There is something else in these incidents that is amazing. Luke's account says of the earlier experience: "And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake." In the second incident in John 21:11 we read: "And for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken."

Right here we want to give you what is known as a "McGeeism." You may dismiss it, but it certainly has blessed my heart. There is danger in drawing a figurative meaning, but I want you to see something. We find in Matthew 13 that the Lord Jesus said the net represents the Gospel. Luke 5 says the net broke; John, who had spiritual perception, notes in chapter 21 that on that occasion the net did not break. Luke's incident is before the resurrection; John's is after the resurrection. Therefore we see that the Gospel had been brought to its full strength and completion at the resurrection. Under Luke we see that the teachings of Christ could not hold men, but in John we find that the completed Gospel holds. He can save to the uttermost.

Briefly, now, let me call your attention to three tremendous lessons for us today. First, our Lord's purpose for Believers is to keep them. He can keep those who have been given Him. Even in our failure we can go to Him as did Simon Peter. The net will not break if it ever gets over you!

There are 153 fishes here. We state this to make no application but to note something that is rather curious. Jerome says Oppian, the great Greek poet of Cilicia, a student of fishes, said that in Greek writings of his day there were known 153 kinds of fish. That is interesting; Scripture says there were 153 fish caught. We are told that every tongue, tribe and nation will be before Him — all kinds of fish will get into this net.

Now secondly, we notice that Christ's purpose for Believers is to direct their lives in all details: "Cast the net on the right side." How many Christians are afraid to change their plans, not being sure that He wants to direct even the little details of their lives. Yes, He wants to know the side of the boat on which you are going to fish.

The third and last point is that His primary purpose for Believers is that they become fishers of men. He said in the account in Luke: "Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men." That is His primary purpose in keeping you and me in the world today.

There by the Sea of Galilee the fire was made; the coals had burned their course. When the men arrived on shore, cold, wet and hungry, He said, "Come and dine." The resurrected Christ had prepared their meal. May I leave this thought for you when next you sit at the communion table. Remember that as He prepared a table for these fishermen, so today He has prepared a table for you— His table. To all Believers He says: "Come and dine." "This do in remembrance of me."