Wednesday 09 April 2008

Background

John's Gospel seems to come to a satisfactory conclusion withthe final verses of chapter 20 which explain the author's purposein writing the book. Sometime later, this enigmatic additionalchapter was added. It is full of allusions to earlier Gospelincidents that had taken place in the same geographical area.Peter's announcement that he was going fishing recalls two events -Jesus' statement that he will make the disciples "fishers ofpeople" (Mark1:17) and the disciples recognising Jesus when he came to themacross the water (John6:20-21).

This resurrection appearance is to a mixed group of the disciples,and given that the writer is later keen to tell us the number offish caught, maybe there is symbolic significance in the fact itwas seven disciples. Seven was regarded as the number forcompleteness.

Their joint fishing venture looked like it was going to be adisaster - it was obedience to Jesus that turned it into success.Whatever the significance of the 153 fish caught, it's probablysafest to say that the meaning of the number is lost on modernreaders (although there are many different theories) and so perhapswe should just recognise that it is simply a lot of fish!

When they got to the shore, Jesus had prepared a breakfast of breadand fish for them, but he didn't use any of the fish that they hadcaught. While they must have been exhilarated by the success oftheir expedition, their true source of strength and encouragementcame from what Jesus provided.

To Ponder

Who do you turn to when you are feelingdiscouraged?

Is there a danger in the Church putting too muchpremium on success measured in numbers?