Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 18th April 2009

Australian Thoughts at the Weekend 18th April 2009

Quiet Relaxation

One of my great joys is to spend a day sitting in the sun in my little aluminium boat catching fish. Sometimes, it is very busy on the water with boats of all descriptions moving around the water with many people out to enjoy a beautiful day and the relaxation on the water. At other times I can find a quiet spot where no waves from passing boats disturb my peace.

To me fishing is a time of quietness and relaxation. It is a very special experience to get out beside a river or the sea and cast a baited line into the watery depths. These days my fishing is done mostly from my small aluminium boat in the usually quiet waters of the wide river entrance not far from where I live. I love the quietness. Sometimes not even the fish disturb me. Sometimes the noise of an emergency vehicle, maybe an ambulance or fire engine will float across the water. Sometimes I can hear sounds from the nearby Sea World Tourist Park At other times I hear the cheers of the crowd or the excited amplified voice of the commentator at the dolphin and water ski show. Sometimes in the quiet late afternoon, I can hear the seals barking at the same place where they are an attraction to entertain the daily tourists. Often it is the rattle of the roller coaster and squeals of girls who are riding on it or the noise of the artificial volcano with its burst of flame and belch of black smoke. There might be helicopters and sea planes overhead but generally I enjoy the quietness and time away from the usual daily round, and its demands and involvements.

To me fishing is also a challenge. To be successful a number of things need to be right. The challenge is to get all these right things happening together so that the ice box carries home rewards for the day’s effort. Firstly, there is the challenge of fishing in the right place which depends on the season and the fish likely to be around at that time. There is also the challenge of having the right sinkers (weights) on the line and the right size hook. The selection of the right bait to attract the targeted fish can also be a challenge. The challenge continues at the distinctive bites of the various fish are felt or a bream picks up the bait and moves off with it before attempting to swallow it. The fish pulling at the line as I attempt to reel it into the boat is also another time of challenge. Will the fish shake itself free? Is the line okay or will it break under the strain? Will the knot hold? What type is it? Will it be big enough to legally keep? These are some of the questions as the fish battles with the fisherman.

Interestingly enough, it can also be a time of observing others. People go past on all types of craft from kayaks and surf skis to luxury launches and various tourist boats. Other fishing boats of all sizes from small ones like mine to deep sea game fishing boats go past also. There is a number of commercial fishing boats which travel past on their way to the sea to drag it depths with their nets and return with their coolers full of fish for the local and overseas markets.

Fishing can also be a time of friendship or as expressed in the Australian way “mateship”. Legally, my little boat can hold four people but it is most comfortable with two. So it is an opportunity for two mates to share the experience and the challenges of the day. It can be a time to share some thoughts and comments on life and its circumstances.

The Gospels tell us that some of the closest followers of Jesus were professional fishermen. They left their nets and boats behind to become Disciples of Jesus. John’s Gospel Chapter 21 reminds us of seven of the bewildered disciples after Jesus death and resurrection. Peter says he is going fishing and his six companions decide to go with him. They fished all night and caught nothing. How often I have shared that experience and return empty from a fishing excursion. However in recent weeks I have been a little more successful.

The disciples in their boat called to answer Jesus that they had caught no fish and Jesus told them to cast on the other side and we read they caught a miracle net-full of fish. The story develops to where they enjoy a fish breakfast with Jesus on the beach and then Jesus has a quiet conversation with Peter.

In the quietness of the fishing time, Jesus issues Peter with the biggest challenge yet. Jesus confronts Peter with a simple question: “Peter, do you love me?” We can read the conversation which follows, with Peter declaring His love for Jesus. Jesus then restores him to the leadership of those doing Jesus’ work.

In the quietness, and sometimes in our busy-ness, Jesus often comes to us with similar challenges. How will we answer?


John 21 (The Message)

Fishing
1After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee). This is how he did it: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed "Twin"), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3Simon Peter announced, "I'm going fishing."
The rest of them replied, "We're going with you." They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night.
4When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn't recognize him.
5Jesus spoke to them: "Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?"
They answered, "No."
6He said, "Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens."
They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren't strong enough to pull it in.
7Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Master!"
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.
8The 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. 9When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.
10Jesus said, "Bring some of the fish you've just caught."
11Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore--153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn't rip.
12Jesus said, "Breakfast is ready." Not one of the disciples dared ask, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Master.
13Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.
14This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.

Do You Love Me?
15After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16He then asked a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
"Yes, Master, you know I love you."
Jesus said, "Shepherd my sheep."
17Then he said it a third time: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, "Do you love me?" so he answered, "Master, you know everything there is to know. You've got to know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
18I'm telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you'll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don't want to go."
19He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, "Follow me."

[Listen: Band (Male) Chorus: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1250.mp3
or
Band: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_001.mp3
or
Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1001.mp3
or
Band: : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2110.mp3

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine,
For thee all the pleasures of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

2.
I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow,
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

3.
I will love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
And praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath;
And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

4.
In mansions of Glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore thee and dwell in thy sight;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
Author: William Ralph Featherstone (1846-73)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 357

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