153

Friday April 23rd, John 21: When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren't far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it. 10-11 Jesus said, "Bring some of the fish you've just caught." Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn't rip. 12 Jesus said, "Breakfast is ready." Not one of the disciples dared ask, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Master. Time to move forward to the task at hand. The disciples are out of the upper room, out from behind the locked doors. Thomas, the first one out the doors has now led them in a confession of faith, my Lord and My God. And still, when Jesus said to be fishers of men, they took it to be fishers among men. Not much different than summer in Alaska where often evangelism takes a back seat to salmon streams. It is unusual for an exact number of fish to be mentioned. It has been suggested that there were 153 known nations in the world at the time of the writing of John. Even if that is not the case, the number does point to a large, and universal aspect of the kingdoms to whom the disciples were being sent to spread the good news. It is also important that the net was not torn, the same way Jesus garment on the cross was not torn, as opposed to the curtain in the temple dividing the holy of holies from humanity was torn. Jesus message is one of unity, all called to live as brothers and sisters with one another, as opposed to the temple which divided the holy of holies, from the Hebrew section which was divided from the Gentile section. In Christ is wholeness, in humanity, division. We are called therefore to go into all the world, baptizing them in the name of the father, son and holy spirit and teaching them of the love of God. And knowing we are never alone, for the Lord is with us, and them, even onto the ends of the earth.