A Fathers Day Snapshot
“Boys! What’s going on around here?” I recall countless times my dad asking this question. This kind of question. He was in Dad mode. Checking up. Getting our attention. Reminding us he was present with us. Bringing us back to the moment and the task at hand. “It’s about time for supper.” “Are you getting the animals fed, boys?” “Is this fence going to be fixed before dark, boys?” The tasks varied, but the call didn’t. “Boys!” He called us boys when we needed to get back on task, back on focus.
I’ve used the same approach. A lot! An approach that is no longer necessary with my sons. They’ve grown up, not merely older, but truly grown up. No longer boys. They have focus, drive, and passion. They take charge of themselves and at times, lead others in the charge.
Notice this moment between Jesus and his disciples:
Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Lake of Galilee. This is how it happened: A group of us were there—Simon Peter, Thomas, “The Twin,” Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, my brother James and I, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”
“We’ll come too,” we all said. We did, but caught nothing all night. At dawn we saw a man standing on the beach but couldn’t see who he was.
He called, “Any fish, boys?” “No,” we replied. (John 21:1-7, Living Bible)
On the shore of the lake, Jesus calls out, “Children”. “Kids.” Or more specifically to that moment is how the Living Bible puts it: “He called, ‘Any fish, boys?’”
“Boys!” In most translations Jesus calls out to them, “Friends,” or maybe “children.” These words translate the Greek word John used to describe Jesus’ word: “Paidia.”
“Any fish, boys?” What does it matter? Friends? Children? Boys? Paidia is the call of the teacher, the mentor, the coach, the dad, to the ones who in that moment are being reminded to live up to the standard, their potential – to their calling. A coach will address “the boys” when they need to get back to their best game.
A dad calls out, “Boys! What are you doing?” A young man, an apprentice, a soldier knows one thing: when a superior addresses you as “boys” it’s because you’re missing the target. You’re not living up to your best. Adulting. Authentic manhood. You’ve regressed.
Jesus calls out, “Boys, any fish?”
Still, this is a gentle process. “Boys, try this.” Even in the instruction of which side of the boat to cast the nets is not the real focus that Jesus is calling them toward. It’s the solution to their distraction. It also is a reminder that Jesus is able to provide direction.
Jesus has a campfire ready. He’s cooking and invites them to bring some fish. He shows that their distraction was a valid pursuit at one time in their life, but now they are to pursue the greater calling: being fishers of people. They will be caring for the lambs and sheep.
Here’s the reason this story, involving the disciples and Jesus, speaks so clearly. Only the Lord can call out, “Boys, any fish?” and draw them forward into their life’s work.
Two concepts are in play. On the shore Jesus calls out with “Children” or “Boys”, not “Friends”. Children is our word that translates paidia (pai-de-a). We get words like pediatrics and pedagogy from this Greek word. It refers to a little, young child.
On the night before Jesus’ death, he called his disciples “Friends”, philos. That’s not how he referred to them on the beach that morning. It IS what Jesus said that night at their last meal together.
“13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:13-15 NIV).
They were ready to be more than boys; they were ready to be Jesus’ friends. All they needed was to embrace that kind of relationship.
How’s Your “Dad” Life?
As a dad I appeal to my fellow dads. It’s a good morning to hear Jesus calling you to the loftiness of parenthood – leading, caring, and showing the way for your kids.
“Boys, let’s go help our neighbor clean up after last night’s storm.”
“Girls, we’re going to take a pizza to our friends and invite them to play at the park.
And so we model initiative and pass on responsibility to our kids. We invite them to be grown ups who embrace a higher calling from God. “Boys! Girls! Let’s go!
“Comfort those who are frightened, take tender care of those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, Living Bible).
For another fascinating take on John 21, check out my friend, Stefanie Rowe’s Father’s Day Message, 2022. At the Campfire.