On Easter Wednesday.*)
John 21:1-14.
After that Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea near Tiberias. And he manifested himself thus. Simon Peter and Thomas, called Twin, and Nathanael, of Cana Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and other two of his disciples, were with him. Simon Peter saith unto them: I will go fishing. And they said unto him, We will go with thee. And they went out, and entered into the ship straightway; and that night they caught nothing. Now when it was morning, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Said Jesus unto them: Children, have ye nothing to eat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them: Cast the net to the right hand of the ship, and ye shall find. So they cast, and could not draw it for the multitude of fishes. Then saith the disciple, whom Jesus loved, unto Peter, It is the Lord. When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his shirt (for he was naked) and threw himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in the ship (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), and drew the net with the fishes. And when they were come out on the land, they saw coals laid, and fish thereon, and bread. Says Jesus
*) Held on April 4, 1537. ed.
ru them-. Bring here some of the fish you have caught. Simon Peter went in and drew the net on the land full of large fish, an hundred and three and fifty. And though they were so many, yet the net was not broken. Jesus said to them: Come, and keep the supper. But no one among the disciples was allowed to ask him, "Who are you? For they knew that it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish were like it. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he rose from the dead.
I want to go fishing.
In this Gospel we will see two pieces: the first, of the revelation and confirmation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ; the other, of the fishing ministry of St. Peter.
2) The holy places, where one can serve God inwardly, are not to be passed by; as here Peter says: "I will go fishing" and the disciples say: We also, and yet nothing etc. It seems like a forgiven speech that Peter should fish all night. But we are to learn that Christ does not abolish the ordinances that are in the world, as the monks and the devotees have done: One should serve God, sleeping (sneaking) into the monasteries. If this text had been properly applied, we would not have erected so many fools' works to please them. A Christian should and may stick to his craft.
If it had been wrong, Christ would have punished them for it. Christ does not tear politiam and oeconomiam (defense and nourishment); therefore you must not leave your field, cattle, mayoralty, if you want to serve Christ. Peter nevertheless remains at his trade, and waits for his wife and child as before. Christ does not leave it alone, but praises it and honors it, giving fish into the net. If the housekeeping and handicraft should not apply, he would not have given him fish for a long time. That is why I like the text. Every householder should make for himself a heart that he may be a Christian; on the other hand, to do his trade and profession, to bring up his wife and child; this should be so dear to thee that thou mayest be sure that thou pleasest God in thy profession; as thou hast a hat or veil on, so it does no harm to the Christian faith.
4. antonius had a message from heaven, he would be sheer as good as a leather tanner in Alexandria, but not so yet. Antonius moves there, does not see him holiness, he makes shoe etc. Paphnutio was also
says how two married women are better than he. He asks about their life; they answer: As they are wives, they sweep, wash, are obedient, do not scold, are united. Then he also carried his judgment home. So God will say on the last day, "Who has commanded you your great plate? The servant, the maid, the shoemaker will please God more than all the clergy.
(5) So Peter, whom all craftsmen and servants should follow, does here: when he sees what is useful to his master, mucking out the stable, wiping the horses, feeding, tilling; all this shall be more precious in the sight of God than all the work of Carthusians. A maid, how can she be more blessed than to be obedient to women? She would like to jump and dance for joy. This consolation should make everyone cheerful and courageous, that is true; but those who do not believe this are we servants who hear it now. No one believes that his position pleases God, otherwise they would be better off. They would say, "I would have the ravens devour me if I did not obey my Lord; if you did not, God would punish you. This I also say to you, little disciples of the court, you shall wait for peace from your faithful counselors. But clear the wine cellar into the bag. Solomon calls it a bad house. It is safe to go in there. May the devil help you to get full one day. It's nothing but scratching and scraping in the sack. If you would serve your Lord faithfully, God would feed you well. This is what the Gospel indicates here. God wants to take care of those who remain faithful in their service, craft and counsel. Even if you get a little sore, God will not leave you; He will feed and clothe you, as He did Peter. Therefore, do to each one what he is commanded in his position. Peter did not eat all the fish, he sold some of them, so that one may also trade and sell.
Now behold the blessing, in the word all good things begin. God teaches us from where we get rich, not with robbing and stealing. The greater Lord, the greater thief by the pants. Peter does not become rich in his position, though he toils all night; but "the blessing of God makes rich", not your craft and toil. Many rich people I remember have gone to ruin and become beggars. On the other hand, there are many of them who work day and night, but hardly get the bread they need. Third, another does his work leisurely and gets enough. God wants to show that he is the only one who gives food and prosperity.
God wants us to work, like Peter here, and yet wants to give nothing for the sake of work, like Petro does here. With little effort Christ put many fish in his net. I believe, from pure water he made him the fish. As from the stones and sand good wine grows, not differently, as from the stones columns, if you put a pot to it. So the wine grows from the hard wood, since no wine is not. Just as the grain grows out of the earth, where there is none: it decays, but God calls it to come forth, as Gen. 1, 11: "Let the earth spring up" etc.; see Ps. 127, 1: "Where the Lord does not build the house." It is in vain that those who rise early are weary; for Christ gives it to his lovers sleeping, they must not care for it. He gives them without work and getting up very early, as if I wanted to scratch everything, as if I am God. You will not make fish from the water, or wine from the stones, or grain from the earth for a long time. God will do it Himself; you shall reap, you shall plow, you shall take the hoe and work. Item, a woman must also work much in the house with suckling, washing, cooking, and yet cultivates nothing in the field; yet God feeds her. So, you squire, wait for your office with counsel. If you grumble that we are telling you the truth, let it stand, you will find it well. You say: We want to go back to the regiment; one must ever say what looks bad to you. Therefore
I ask you all to remain diligent in your command and position, so God will give you; just as to me, by God's grace, is the highest comfort, for I remain in my command and position to preach the Holy Scriptures.
The other article is the confirmation of Christ's resurrection, for it is hard for us to believe. Since thou canst not believe that thou art a servant, handmaid, or councilor, how wilt thou believe of Christ's resurrection?
9 Christ wanted to completely overthrow Judaism and their physical kingdom and raise up another one with his resurrection. There all the scriptures go, that Christ should rise again, and put away sin, and justify sinners. These are the highest articles to believe, for they leave nothing standing in heaven and earth; all things must finally be destroyed for the sake of Christ's kingdom. Everything must be judged by Christ. Everything is in Christ. Whoever has him has everything completely, life, peace, light, righteousness; everything is contained in the one man, everything is put under his feet. Psalm 2:8, 10: "Ask of me, and I will give you the whole world. Ye kings, chasten yourselves; be wise, fear." This can be a great king, who is allowed to take the crown from the great kings, not differently than when I deal with the disciples. If you will not do it, you will go down. In short, pay homage to him quickly, otherwise he will overthrow you all, just as the little children deal with the angels. If we have the man, we have all the good in him. If the whole world is against us, let them all perish. What is it to me that the pope is angry, and kings and princes? If I have Christ for a friend, I say, "I do not care much for the wrath of a little lord; because Christ is pleased with us, he will provide us with a kitchen and a good supply, as there were coals and fire and plenty of fish. I am a rich God; if I can provide for the soul, I will also provide for the body.