We all have an influence on others by what we do and don’t do. We can “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Heb. 10:2424And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24)). Or we can quickly discover that “grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:11A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)). Simon Peter announced to the others that he was going fishing. You might find it helpful to stop for a moment and notice what Peter is called in this chapter. Up until verse 17, he is referred to as Simon or Simon Peter when he is doing something. (John graciously calls him Peter.) At that point, after he is publically restored to the Lord, he is referred to as Peter. All through the book of Acts, except together with his name Peter in chapters 10 and 11, the name Simon is missing and we only read about Peter. Mark 3:1616And Simon he surnamed Peter; (Mark 3:16), “And Simon he surnamed Peter,” shows us that he had the name Simon from birth but that the Lord had given him the name Peter. This seems to show that when he is referred to as a natural man he is called Simon but viewed in grace he is called Peter.
The natural man Simon returns to his former occupation, fishing. He brings others, including the former fisherman John, along with him. The result is that they aren’t able to catch anything in their night of work. When we go about doing a work in our own natural energy, we will drag others along with us and not accomplish anything of spiritual value.
The Lord Provides
But the Lord is so gracious that He calls from shore, “Children, have ye any meat?” They have to admit that without Him they have nothing. As soon as they admit they are empty-handed He tells them right where to put their net and they pull in a multitude of fishes. John, the one who knew he was loved by the Lord, is quick to recognize the Author of goodness. He intimately knew the Person who had told them before where to cast their nets. He knew like James that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:1717Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James 1:17)). But that wasn’t His only kindness to them. They had spent the night working and had no food with them. When they got to the shore they found a breakfast of fish and bread prepared and waiting for them. Jesus invited them to “Come and dine.” They had the warmth of the fire of coals for their body but specially the warmth of His presence for their souls.
The Millennial Figure
Besides teaching us many practical lessons, this chapter also has pictures that show future events. In verse 14 we are told, “This is now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples.” The first time was on that resurrection day when they gathered around Him. That gives a picture of a Christian’s proper privilege today. The second time He appeared was again behind closed doors when He showed Himself to Thomas, a picture of a remnant of Jews who will recognize Him when He returns to the earth in a future day. This will happen at the end of an awful time of judgment called the tribulation. The third occasion when the Lord appeared to His disciples was outside in public. This occasion helps us to think of a coming day when He publicly and abundantly provides for His people. He already had a small number of fish with Him on the shore, but He used His servants to bring in many more. This period of time will follow after the tribulation and last for a thousand years (Rev. 20:22And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (Revelation 20:2)). We refer to that coming time as the millennium. It will be a time when the Lord reigns in peace over an earth that once again is productive like it was in the garden of Eden.
Further Meditation
1. How did the Lord provide for His disciples?
2. Where else in the Word of God is the period we call the millennium referred to?
3. The Prophecies of Isaiah Expounded by B. Anstey is not a quick read but gives an excellent coverage of the millennium, which appears often in the book of Isaiah.