Returning To The Fishing Nets

Spring, c. 33 AD

Returning To The Fishing Nets

Back in the familiar territory of Galilee, waiting for the Lord's next appearance, the disciples have found themselves in a state of restless ambiguity. Simon Peter, a man of action, finally declared, "I am going fishing." Six of the other disciples, including Thomas and the sons of Zebedee, immediately agreed to join him.

They boarded a boat on the Sea of Tiberias and slipped back into their old, comfortable livelihood. They spent the entire night casting their nets into the dark waters, returning to the very trade they had abandoned three years prior when Jesus first called them. However, despite their combined expertise, they caught absolutely nothing all night.

"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.' They said to him, 'We will also come with you.' They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing."
— John 21:3

Timeline Box: The return to fishing occurred during the interim waiting period in Galilee.

Exilic Era, c. 538 BC

The First Return Under Zerubbabel

Following the decree of Cyrus, a massive caravan of Jewish exiles has embarked on the long journey from Babylon back to Judah. Led by Zerubbabel the governor and Jeshua the high priest, nearly 50,000 people are carrying the sacred vessels of the Temple back to Jerusalem. It is a monumental logistical and spiritual undertaking.

"Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon..."
— Ezra 2:1

Timeline Box: The first major wave of returnees arrived in Judah in the spring/early summer months.

Pre-Exilic Era, c. 586 BC

The Walls Of Jerusalem Are Breached

A dark memory in the history of Judah: after a grueling siege of eighteen months, the Babylonian army of King Nebuchadnezzar finally breached the walls of Jerusalem. King Zedekiah and his soldiers attempted to flee by night through the gate between the two walls, but were captured in the plains of Jericho. The city was laid open to destruction.

"Then the city was broken into, and all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls..."
— 2 Kings 25:4

Timeline Box: The breaching of the walls historically occurred in the fourth month, marking the beginning of the end for the city.

Editorial: The Futility Of The Old Life

There is a strong temptation to return to what is comfortable when we are waiting on God. Peter went back to his fishing nets, seeking the familiarity of his old life while waiting for the resurrected Christ. But God often ensures that our old nets turn up empty.

Jesus did not resurrect so His disciples could become successful fishermen again; He resurrected to make them fishers of men. Just as the returning exiles under Zerubbabel had to leave the comfort of Babylon to rebuild a ruined city, we cannot retreat to our past when God has called us to build the future. An empty net is often God's way of preparing us for a new calling.

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