Journey to Pentecost

April 18, 2010    John 21.1-5

It seems rather strange that Jesus would take the time to interact with the vocational side of His disciples at a time like this.  If this were left up to me I would be having “words” with these guys for their lack of faith, loyalty and commitment.  Go figure!   Jesus takes the time in his post resurrection ministry to both give instructions for fishing and to have some dinner with these guys.  Why?

We can only speculate but I will, of course, take a shot at it.  Two things I think are important to remember here.  First, Jesus was concerned about these men and their personal lives.  Notice Jesus says to them, “You don’t have any fish do you?”   What a slap in the face for a bunch of guys who have spent their catching fish commercially.  I am not sure if there is a little attitude here with Jesus or not…but at least He shows some interest in their vocational labor.  I don’t think He has changed since then.  If Jesus would take the time in His post resurrection appearances to give some commercial fishermen some advice – I think He is concerned about what all of us put our hands to do with our vocation.  Before entering into full time ministry I worked at Hydra-Matic Transmission plant for General Motors for eleven years.  I worked skilled trades and worked a variety of shifts.  I worked with a variety of men as well.  Towards the end of my employment with GM, I was blessed to work with quite a few believers.  From Baptist to Pentecostal’s – we had a wonderful time in our vocational field.  These men, I strongly believe were “placed” in my life for such a time.  I had started pastoring and time was important to me.  I can tell you that these guys “bellied up” to the table on more than one occasion for me to assist me in praying, studying and preparing for my messages and lessons.  I don’t believe it was coincidence.  I believe that God cared enough for me and my obedience to a calling to put men in my life vocationally to make it easier for me to pastor my little mission church.   Believe it or not there are people who God has probably brought into your life for a purpose.  Rather negative or positive – ask yourself why God put your coworkers where they are.  For you or for them?  For both?  They are there for a reason.  You may not like them.  You may not like their attitude or their work ethic. You may not like their language.  But did God put them in your life on the job for a reason?  How many times has He had to visit you “on the job” to get your attention and teach you something?

Second, I believe Jesus had to qualify Himself to these men.  Remember He had been a carpenter.  Commercial fishermen are not going to take advice from just anybody.  I think, in this manifestation occurence, that Jesus had to prove these men He knew what He was doing. After all, they had totally missed His teaching prior to His death.  Maybe Jesus was going to manifest Himself in a way as to clear all questions as to who He was to them.   Jesus would ask them to bring Him some fish from the net full they had just caught.  I want you to consider something here for a moment.  Jesus gave them instruction, ability and reward for fishing – vocational employment.  He then ask them to share some with Him.  What are you sharing from your “catch” of fish?  Are you tithing?  Are you giving?  Are you willing to respond to the Lord’s instructions on vocational employment and then share with Him “your catch?”   Remember, on their own they caught nothing.  After He gets involved – wham!  They had an abundance of fish!

What are you withholding from the Lord?  What has He blessed you with in the way of vocational employment?  Are you sharing?  Are you responding to His request for you to share some of your “profits” with His kingdom?

During this journey to Pentecost why don’t you spend some time thanking the Lord for your job.  Why don’t you surrender a portion of your “catch” to Him?  Just a thought!  When you have “caught nothing” and then you respond to His instruction it seems to me that the least we could do is honor Him with an offering of our “catch.”