Rocking the Boat of Full-time Ministry

Most of us have heard brilliant sermons based on John 21:1-14.

They go something like this: After Jesus died, Peter and the other disciples gave up hope, picked up their nets, and went back to pursuing their trades. Jesus showed up on the shore, encouraging Peter to become a full-time preacher once again, leaving the fish in the sea.

Does that sound familiar?

It is a good interpretation, but only partly true. Jesus indeed invited Peter to follow him, but I don’t think his trade practice was problematic. There is a compelling case to be made that the fishermen never fully abandoned their trades when they followed Jesus.

Let me show you what I mean:

Not Just a Meal

If the disciples were going to fish for themselves, why did they use so many nets?

In Matthew 17:27, Jesus uses the example of line fishing to try to catch a single fish. If the disciples were hungry, they could have used a hook and a line. Nets were reserved for commercial fishing. Net fishing would have yielded such large quantities of fish that they would have needed to be processed and sent to market to sell.

The Mystery of the Boat and Nets

Where did the boats and nets come from? The Greek text indicates that they “went into ‘the’ boat”, not ‘a’ boat. This seems to point to a boat that was in their possession.

Did they steal it? Did the families they abandoned allow them continued access to their boat(s) and their equipment?

Suppose the fishing disciples—James, John, Andrew, and Peter—had left their nets and family businesses. In that case, it seems like a reach to assume those families would have continued to give free access to the equipment after their sons had abandoned them. Furthermore, if the disciples had left their trades, their fishing quotas would have gone too, no longer giving access to a right to fish with their nets.

A Familiar Call to Action

Peter’s invitation, “I’m going out to fish,” was immediately followed by a communal “we’ll go with you” (21:3). Nothing in the text indicates that this exchange is a departure from the norm.

If they had fully left the trade when Jesus called, why were Peter’s comrades so quick to respond in the affirmative? Their answer was immediate. There is no indication of reluctance or inner tension, the sort of conscious disequilibrium we might assume if being asked to consider disobeying their master’s wishes.

Instead, it seems like a routine day in the lives of these fishermen.  

Jesus’ Blessing on Their Catch

If Jesus was dissatisfied with their decision to fish in his absence rather than preach the kingdom, why did he request some of their catch when he welcomed them on the beach (v. 10)? He enables them to catch an overwhelming number of fish and then invites them to bring some of the fish they catch for the meal. Is this not a tacit acceptance of their trade work?

But you might say, what about the scene in Luke 5:1-11, when Jesus says to Peter, “From now on you will fish for people” (v. 10), and they “left everything and follow him” (v. 11)?

Perhaps in Jesus’ invitation, Peter was invited to think about people and the new kingdom, not just fish. The fishers’ abandonment of “everything” could have been a recklessness and faith-filled response at that moment. In other words, they didn’t wait to wash their nets and secure their boats but were determined to follow Jesus immediately. Later in the day, however, they may have returned to clean the boats and nets once Jesus released them for their night.¹

¹ These ideas arise from a larger book project in progress. The project focuses on rethinking paid pastoral work through the lens of the New Testament.

Co-Vocational Canada is committed to constructing a theological and biblical foundation for those considering pastoral work while working outside the congregation. John 21 is one of many examples of Jesus and the disciples’ commitment to people doing kingdom work, including being in pastoral leadership and working a regular job. 

If you are in co-vocational ministry, we invite you to connect with Co-Vocational Canada to access complimentary counselling, coaching, and resources designed to support you through the challenges of ministry.