"Can God Use a Loser?"

April 10/05 John 21:1-19

Recycling Rejects

Isn't recycling wonderful? Just think of all that money you save on bag tags, and the thought of our landfill sites not filling up nearly so fast. But it should be no surprise I'm a fan of recycling: I probably inherited it from my parents. They were children of the depression, and like everyone else back in the 1930s had to learn the art of "making do". I remember a simple toy from my childhood that was made of recycled materials - a matchstick, a toothpick, an old empty spool that had no more thread (this was back in the days when people still sowed!), and a used rubber band. Wind it up and away it would roll across the floor.

      But a better example of recycling before the term came into vogue was the milking parlour my father built on our dairy farm. The framework for the three stalls consisted of discarded boiler pipes from the rail yard at Stratford. The circular feed troughs were made from old hot water tanks, cut open partway with the trusty Forney arc welder. And a later innovation was a feed auger so we didn't have to throw in scoopfuls of ration; instead Dad modified some old combine augers so we could just crank a round or two and feed would automatically be doled out from chutes connected to the chop bin directly overhead of the milking parlour. Recycling not only provided an outlet for Dad's creativity, it soothed our Scottish thriftiness, saving us expensive outlays!

      God's in the recycling business, too. In John 21 we see Jesus restoring a fallen disciple to new purposefulness. The Lord's saving grace extends to those who sin even after they've begun to call Him Master. The fall has influenced us all fatally so that all have sinned and fallen short of God's intention for our lives. We were destined for the eternal junk heap. But our Redeemer restores and reclaims us so we're no longer rejects.

Back on Track

The chapter begins with a lull in the life of the disciples sometime after the Resurrection but before Jesus' Ascension. They had relocated to Galilee as the Risen Lord told them. Seven of the disciples were together. Peter, being the initiator or leader and influencer in the group, said, "I'm going out to fish" - and was joined by the others. Why fish? It was Peter's old livelihood, something he was familiar with and knew how to do best. Maybe he was bored and wanted some diversion. Perhaps too he was hungry or felt some obligation to provide. We're not told.

      V3 says that they caught nothing all that night. Not one single fish. Not even one of those little sunfish that you have to throw back anyway! Zippo. Did we mention that this meant a whole night of toil without any sleep? And nothing to show for it. Hmmm. Maybe this wasn't what God wanted them to be doing after all. The "best-laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley" - especially if there's a whole gang involved. Six started to have doubts about the wisdom of Peter's leadership. "My arms are sore and my back aches!" "I'm starving!" "Whose idea was this, anyway?!"

      The most innocent, well-meaning plans of humans can fall flat and be futile - or worse - apart from God's direction. It was a sad case in the news of an 82-year-old man from New Brunswick convicted of killing his wife unintentionally. She suffered from dementia and kept him awake from days, screaming and moving about the house. He had truly loved her but must have been driven nearly out of his wits, for he finally tied her up and gagged her - but she died. The judge rebuked him for not getting help when the problem was more than he could handle. He may have meant well, trying to look after her by himself, but the plan - like Peter's fishing expedition - backfired.

      Yet, in v7, when the beleaguered boaters follow the suggestion of a stranger on the shore and throw their net on the right side, it's suddenly filled with dozens and dozens of fish - great big whoppers, too! Such a huge catch will surely cause the nets to break - but amazingly, they hold. Suddenly something twigs in John's mind and he recalls a similar occurrence right at the beginning of Jesus' ministry (Lk 5:6). A light goes on. He elbows Peter who is still gaa-gaaing over the catch of his lifetime and says, "It's the Lord!" It seems they weren't just following ANY instructions, but God's instructions. That led to immediate blessing.

      V9, when they land tugging their huge catch, they find a fire already started with some fish on it, and some bread. Where did those come from? They hadn't left any fish on shore - didn't have any to leave. Bread, neither. Maybe Jesus was subtly saying God is capable of providing the resources we need when we trust Him and follow His plan. Like Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [what you shall eat, drink, or wear] will be given to you as well."

      A member of the Auburn EMC church was reflecting on their latest building project in retrospect. Some thought they were building too big and would never fill the new sanctuary. But others had studied Blackaby's Experiencing God and believed if they only attempted what they could accomplish with their own resources, that left no room to depend on God, or for God to be glorified by coming through supernaturally. This member is thankful now that they trusted God and attempted the bigger building, because already it is nearing capacity - much sooner than anyone anticipated. "God's work done in God's way will not lack God's provision."

      The Lord is gracious. In v10 Jesus asks them to bring some of the fish they'd just caught. Even though He already had fish, He kindly invites them to share their contribution - even though He who fed the 5000 didn't actually 'need' anything. He honoured their human effort, acknowledging their contribution.

      Jesus was using the episode to teach Peter a lesson he'd need to know about leadership and priorities. Later in vv15-17 He charges Peter to "Feed My lambs", "Take care of My sheep", "Feed My sheep." Perhaps Jesus sensed Peter was being tempted to slip back into the old ways, his familiar livelihood, to retire after 3 years of following Jesus over the rough roads of Palestine and move back home with his wife to build a comfy nest by the shore. How Peter missed the sounds of the cry of the gulls, the rustle of the sail, and the lap of the waves against the side of the boat! But God's good Kingdom was about to clean up people's lives, challenge sinful systems, and turn the world upside down - and He was calling a few godly men and women to get things started. Jesus needed Peter to be feeding the flock, nurturing them spiritually for the next step, not returning to "life as normal" on Lake Galilee. The Lord was reminding Peter that He was about to build His church on the rock of faith that Peter professed (Mt 16:16ff). Peter would be instrumental in preaching and calling people to put their trust in Christ rather than the world's idols.

      This incident took place maybe a month before Pentecost. When you read Peter's sermon that day in Acts 2, it doesn't sound like the same man that opted to go fishing with his buddies. What happened in the meantime? I think this encounter made Peter snap to his senses and realize he needed to be preparing for something much bigger than fish fries. He must have started digging deep into Scripture, for at Pentecost we hear him quoting the prophet Joel and psalms from memory, thoughtfully integrated with the events they'd just witnessed of Jesus' death and resurrection. Luke notes that after the Ascension they were "continually at the Temple, praising God"; they "joined together constantly in prayer" (Lk 24:53; Ac 1:14). Through such praying and meditation, God was able to give Peter a clearer understanding of all that had happened, so he'd be able to explain it to the thousands at the Pentecost festival. Through prayer the Holy Spirit was strengthening Peter spiritually so wouldn't crumble when threatened. Peter was reminded that Jesus said He'd prayed for him so his faith wouldn't fail; and Jesus charged him, "When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Lk 22:32) They were going to be needing a leader, a spokesman, and Peter was it. Peter needed to develop some of John's spiritual sensitivity. He needed to square around his priorities. In Acts 6(4) we see he's done this, insisting the apostles must give their attention to prayer and ministry of the word rather than have their time hijacked by serving tables. Peter becomes absolutely pivotal in the early church: he it is who, while praying, receives the vision of the sheet let down, and goes to preach to Cornelius and other Gentiles (Ac 10:9). He it is who speaks up at a critical moment at the Jerusalem Council in order to spare the Gentiles from having to keep the burdensome details of Jewish law, thus facilitating the ballooning of the Gospel world-wide (Ac 15:7,14). What would his excuse have been if he hadn't nurtured himself in time with God so he'd be able to "feed the lambs" in turn?

      Our consistent, regular daily devotional times with the Lord are so essential for spiritual growth - our own, and that of those who look to us for leadership. Livelihoods are necessary and hobbies are nice, but guard your walk with God jealously, lest the Spirit's flame in your life be quenched. If you've wandered into pointless pastimes, if your net seems to be coming up consistently empty, ask the Lord how you can get back on track. It's not that we're lacking these days for available resources - Bibles are plentiful, commentaries meaningful, Christian resources in print and tapes are easy to obtain. We just need to set aside the time. When Christ comes calling, don't let Him find just a sign saying, "Gone fishing." He alone can guide you to your best catch.

Rebuke, Repentance, Restoration

When Peter realizes who the mysterious figure on shore really is, he gathers his garments around him (Jewish people felt a respectful greeting required proper dress) and lunges into the water to get to shore first. Though in some ways he might have been the one least wanting to greet the Master, because he was the one who had disowned Jesus not once, not twice, but three times the night He was betrayed. How ashamed Peter must have been! He had boasted at the Last Supper, "Even if all fall away, I will not!" (Mk 14:29) In other words, "I love you more! I'm going to stick by you even if all others flee!" But the accusations of a mere servant girl, then a maid, had caused gallant Peter's blood to run cold and his bravado drained away like water into the sand. How humiliating!

      Peter and Jesus have some unfinished business. Christ doesn't avoid it, but comes to the point in v15 asking, "Simon son of John [not 'Peter' or 'rock' now but back to Simon], do you truly love me more than these?" (likely meaning, in light of his boast, more than the other disciples - though it could also mean, more than fishing) Peter affirms his love for the Master, but makes no claim to love Him more than all the rest: the pride and cockiness are all gone now. A second time Jesus asks if Peter loves Him with agape, a self-sacrificial unconditional kind of love. Peter doesn't even use agape but phileo when he answers - "Lord, you know I'm fond of you; yes, you're my dear friend." A third time Jesus asks, "Peter, are you sure you're even my friend? Do you even like me?" Peter is hurt by this third asking; so hurt that even John, who's following not far behind, can tell the big fisherman is crushed. Everyone knows this is about Peter's 3-fold denial. Jesus has opened up Peter's heart so he can see his own boastfulness and posturing and needing to be first. It's all there, out in the open, nothing can be hid from the eyes of Him with whom we have to do; and Jesus still wants him. Peter has no merit to claim now; all he can appeal to is the Saviour's own knowledge of him - a knowledge that can foretell the devastation of a rooster's crow - and such unconditional love and grace that flows straight from a cross. "Lord," Peter chokes out between sobs, painfully, slowly, "You know all things [even my denial, ahead of time, when it was hidden from me]; You know that I love You."

      It is enough. Jesus accepts back His wandering lamb. He enfolds Peter's exposed and hurting heart with His tender, warm reassurance and recommissioning. "Feed my sheep." (implicitly) 'You're back in the saddle, Peter.I know I can count on you.' "Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

      Peter is restored to a place of authority, but Jesus cautions him immediately that it's not about power-tripping. Jesus' leadership style is different from that of a dictator or tyrant. It's about forgetting oneself and doing what's best on behalf of everybody. There's no room for lording it over, or seeking to advance or preserve one's own interests - it's that kind of fear and protectionism that tempted Peter to fall into the trap of denying Him. Jesus says, "When you were younger, you dressed yourself and went where you wanted..." That's the independent approach, looking out for oneself, totally in control, the attitude of pride. Jesus is saying those times are past. "When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." (18) Perhaps as He said this, Jesus stretched out His own arms showing the grisly nail-wounds from His own crucifixion. Tradition says Peter was crucified upside-down, because he did not consider himself worthy of dying in the same manner as Jesus.

      As Jesus restores Peter, He reminds Him that Christian leadership requires dependence daily on God, an attitude of submission, being yielded, vulnerable, a real servant. Only such total reliance on God conveys a freedom that makes one bold in the face of earth's gravest threats. Peter's life was to be committed entirely into God's hands. He experienced God's faithfulness when an angel rescued him twice from prison (Ac 5:19; 12:11). His commitment enabled him to stand firm when threatened by the same council that plotted Jesus' death, so they were astonished by his courage (Ac 4:7,13). He resisted their pressure entirely, declaring: "We must obey God rather than men." (Ac 5:29) Although Peter did on one occasion warrant rebuke from Paul at Antioch for hypocritically backing down due to pressure from the circumcision party, for the most part Peter became a champion of faith in the early church (Gal 2:11-13).

      There are other notable examples in Scripture of fallible individuals who, although they may not exactly deserve the term "loser", certainly fell short and needed to be rebuked and restored. David sinned with Bathsheba and Uriah, so was challenged by the prophet Nathan (2Sam 12:19). Jonah the prophet fled in the opposite direction from the city God told him to prophesy against. It wasn't until God sent a fish to rescue him that he turned to God in prayer, acknowledging: "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs...Salvation comes from the LORD." (Jonah 2:8f) Some of Jesus' best-loved parables are stories of restoration: the shepherd going after a wandering sheep; the prodigal son coming to his senses and being welcomed home with feasting (Mt 18:12; Lk 15:24). It is Kingdom work to do according to the prophet Isaiah (35:3) - strengthen feeble hands, and steady knees that give way.

Risking Restoration

God is holy; and God is loving. As Christians we should be able to judge what's right and wrong, while leaving judgment of individuals to God. We can warn and rebuke and exhort without condemning; Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it (Jn 3:17). The New Testament is very strong on the need for the ministry of restoration, helping people to get back on the right track. Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." (Mt 18:15) Paul wrote, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently." (Gal 6:1) James (5:19) counselled that if one wanders from the truth, "someone should bring him back". And John in his first letter said, "If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life." (1Jn 5:16) We have a responsibility to help others find reconnection with the Lord when they've gone astray; as we need others to correct and help us when we've erred, ourselves.

      One of the most striking examples of restoration in recent times is that of Jim Bakker. During the 1980s, Bakker's PTL TV and theme park ministry had an income of half a million dollars a day. He acknowledges that he was teaching a "prosperity theology". But there was a sex scandal, and charges of corruption, and in 1987 he was sentenced to 45 years in prison, later commuted to five years.

      While in prison, Jim Bakker repented, re-examined Jesus' teaching, humbled himself, and changed significantly. Here in an interview with Focus on the Family's HB London, he describes what a major roll Billy Graham's family played in restoring him and helping him get back on his feet....

      ...When we were sinners as objectionable and repugnant as a man in crumpled clothes who's been convicted of defrauding hundreds and has just been cleaning toilets, it's as if Jesus stood with arms outstretched to receive us and said, "I love you." That's the kind of grace He's waiting to offer through us to others who are wondering if God can use a loser. Let's pray.