Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.” They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus. Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21:1-14, CEB)
I have always marveled at this passage. First, Peter was naked, out fishing. Well, I remember discussing this in gospels class in seminary, and maybe Peter wasn’t naked, but had on under garments of such, and he put on his outer robe. But why do this to jump in the water to swim to shore?
And then the haul of fish is 153 large fish? Why is this number here, and what does it mean?
All of this is to say that sometimes the mundane facts or questions get in the way of faith. It doesn’t really matter if Peter was wearing clothes or not, or that he put clothes on to jump in the water, or the number of fish they caught. It is the fulfillment of the promises of God that are manifested in Jesus being there.
They know who he is without asking or Jesus telling them, and that is because they know the promises. As we know the promises.
Do not get hung up on the 153 or the clothes, or any other minor thing. Do not expect to know all the answers; that is why it is faith.
We will not know, but we can still believe.
aSacredRebel 