John 21:9-11

As soon as they were come to land they saw a fire of coals there.

The two fires--a contrast

(Text, and John 18:18)

I. THE FIRE IN THE PALACE COURT.

1. A scene of sorrow--the Saviour’s trial.

2. A place of temptation--in the company of Christ’s enemies.

3. A witness of sin--the denials of Peter.

II. THE FIRE UPON THE SEA-SHORE.

1. A scene of glory--the presence of the risen Lord.

2. A place of safety--the society of Jesus and His friends.

3. A witness of grace--Peter’s restoration. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.)

The fire on the shore

1. You cannot fail to be impressed with the sense as of something strange and unearthly. You feel that, like Moses in Horeb, you must put off the shoes from your feet, ere you approach this mysterious fire.

(1) One explanation of the fire and repast, of course, is that they were provided to supply the bodily wants of the disciples.

(2) Another makes the whole transaction refer especially to St. Peter. The thrice-repeated question reminded him of his three-fold denial; the miraculous draught called to mind his office from which he fell; and the fire of coals would recall that other fire by which he denied his Master.

2. But these explanations do not meet the whole of the facts. We have, then, to seek one which shall satisfy all parts of the narrative: and this is to be found in the progress of the Gospel, and the connection between the Old and New Dispensations.

I. THE FISH. In one parable the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a net, which “gathered of every kind;” so that we have Christ’s authority for considering that the miraculous draught represented the bringing of multitudes into the Church through the instrumentality of the preachers of the gospel. It is observable also that Simon Peter is said to have drawn the net to land: there may have been a reference here to the fact that Peter was entrusted with the opening the Church to the Gentiles. For there can be no doubt that there was a special reference to the combining of all nations in the visible Church. The number of fishes is to be carefully noted. It appears that one hundred and fifty and three was exactly the number of varieties of fish then known, so that we may most justly conclude that the number was an indication that persons of all nations and conditions should enter into the Church. And then the remark as to the net not being broken must be considered as prophetic of the capacity of the Christian Church; unlike the Jewish, which was not constructed for enlargement and extension.

II. THE FIRE OF COALS AND THE PREPARED REPAST.

1. You are to observe that the Jewish and the Christian Dispensations are not so truly distinct economies, as component parts of one great plan. There have never been two ways in which sinners might be saved. In the New Testament, indeed, we have the clearer exposition of the great scheme of mercy; but there is no difference whatsoever in the doctrine propounded. This great truth is figuratively taught here. There was already a fire kindled, and on the fire there were fish already laid; and when the newly-caught fish were placed on the same fire, was it not shown that the Church, before and after the coming of Christ, was virtually but one and the same? that its members had to be brought to the same altar, and to be purified by the same flame? I know not why we should not think that that strange fire, mysteriously kindled on the lonely shore, was typical of the propitiatory work of the Redeemer, through whom alone the men of any age can be presented as a sacrifice acceptable unto God. There is no altar but the one Mediator, and no fire but that of His oblation, which will answer for those who seek to consecrate themselves, a whole burnt offering to God. And what could be a more lively parable of this fact than that, when standing on the margin of the sea, the separating line between time and eternity, Christ caused an altar to rise, mysterious as Himself, and crowned it with burning coals, which had not been kindled by any earthly flame; and then placed on it representatives of the one visible Church as it had subsisted before His incarnation, and as it was to subsist till He should come to judgment? It seems to have been a lesson peculiarly needed by the apostles, that they were not to consider themselves as going forth on a new mission, of which no notices had been previously issued. Accordingly Christ had forcibly reminded them that “One soweth, and another reapeth.” And now He repeats something of the same lesson.

2. But, further, the Evangelist is careful in noting that our Lord took bread as well as fish and gave to His disciples. Now, Christ had fed a great multitude with a few loaves and fishes, typifying how the truth of His religion should suffice for the spiritual sustenance of the world. The disciples would naturally be reminded of this miracle here, and that the food which Christ delivered to them as spiritual pastors would be an abundant provision for all men. In conclusion, we would show you into how beautiful an allegory some of the facts may be wrought, when a broader view is taken, one which shall more distinctly comprehend ourselves.

1. It is an appropriate simile which likens life to a voyage which has variety of terminations--sometimes in calm, sometimes in storm; the vessel, in one case, casting anchor in placid waters, so that the Spirit has but to step gently ashore; in another, suffering shipwreck, so that there is fearful strife and peril in escaping from the waves, Of all it will have to be said, as of those with St. Paul, some by swimming, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship--“it came to pass that they escaped all safe to land.”

2. Let it satisfy us that whatever the mode in which the soul of the righteous is dismissed--whether that mode be imagined in Peter’s casting himself into the sea and struggling to the land, or whether it be represented in the quieter approachings of the boat with the other disciples--the soul will find preparation for its reception: Christ stands upon the shore, expecting His faithful servants; and of all of them it will have to be said, “As soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.” This may well shadow out that, to the faithful in Christ, the moment of being detached from the body is the moment of being admitted into happiness. “As soon as they were come to land”--no delay, no interval--all that was needed was found ready; the fire kindled, and the banquet spread.

3. Yet who doubts that the righteous will not only find the material of happiness prepared, but that they will carry with them additions to that material, and make heaven all the richer? It is “the communion of saints;” and whilst each saint shall draw cause of rapture from those who have gone before, they also shall draw cause of rapture from Him. Ah, then, how beautifully apposite the direction, “Bring of the fish which ye have now caught!” The marriage-supper of the Lamb shall be furnished from the contributions of every generation. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,”’ &c. They “rest from their labours,” in that, as soon as they come to land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread: “their works do follow them,” in that they are then bidden to bring of the fish which they have caught. (H. Melvill, B. D.)

Materials for the banquet

Mineral coal is still a thing of uncommon use or knowledge in the East, except on the steamers. But charcoal is the “coal”; it is made and used everywhere, and is sold by weight. Upon the coals the “bread” or “loaf” is baked, either on a pan or piece of metal; or directly on (or under) the coals themselves, protected by a layer of ashes. The variety of modes of baking, and of bread, which one sees at an Oriental camp-fire, are many. The picture here is doubtless that of both bread and fish cooking at the fire; not of baked bread waiting for the fish to be done. The “loaf” was, or is, a flat cake. (S. S. Times.)

Bring of the fish which ye have now caught

Christ requires human co-operation

Jesus had no need of the disciples’ help in providing fish for His breakfast or for theirs; but He asked their help just as if He did need it. If they had refused to bring the fish, He would have been no loser; but the loss would have been theirs. So it is always in every sphere of Christian activity. Jesus never needs help; but Jesus constantly calls for help. The gain through responding to that call, or the loss through refusing, is to the disciple, not to the Master. Jesus can get on without your money or your services in the Sunday-school, in the church, in the community about you, or in the missionary field; but you cannot get on as you might if you refuse your help in any one of these fields. Jesus asks for a share of all the fish you catch, of all the crops you gather, of all the money you get, of all the time and strength you have. If you refuse to render it to Him, the loss is yours. How great that loss may be only eternity can disclose. (H. C. Trumbull, D. D.)

Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land

Pulling in the net

If you are always mending and setting the net, you won’t catch many fish. Whoever heard of a man going out to fish, and setting his net, and then letting it stop there, and never pulling it in. Why, everybody would laugh at the man’s folly. There was a minister in Manchester who came to me one day and said, “I wish you would tell me why we ministers don t succeed better than we do. So I took up the idea of pulling in the net, and I said, “You ought to pull in your nets. There are a great many in Manchester who can preach much better than I can, but then I pull in the net. A great many people have objections to inquiry-meetings;” and when I had pointed out the importance of them, the minister said, “I never did pull in the net, but I will try next Sunday morning.” He did so, and eight persons, anxious inquirers, went into his study. The next Sunday he came down to see me, and said he had never had such a Sunday in his life. The next time he drew the net there were forty, and when he came to see me at the Opera House, the other day, he said, “Moody, I have had eight hundred conversions this last year. It is a great mistake I did not begin earlier to pull in the net.” So, my friends, if you want to catch men, just pull in the net. If you only catch one it will be something. It may be a little child, but I have known a little child convert a whole family. Why, you don’t know what’s in that little dull-headed boy in the inquiry-room, he may become a Martin Luther--a reformer that shall make the world tremble. (D. L. Moody.)