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We don’t know for sure what Peter’s circumstances were. Maybe he had a big tax bill he needed to pay with that enormous load of fish. Maybe a loan to pay for his boat. Maybe he was able to make a crucial payment to support his family. One thing we know for sure is that this load of fish was a turning point in their business. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were able to walk away from their business and follow Jesus. God had probably placed deep inside them a desire to build the Basileia-kingdom of God, so deep they had abandoned their dreams to simply live and survive life. This dream responded to the call of Jesus to follow Him.
Before this moment, these men were owner operators of their business. They were hands on with the nets, one step above an employee, and probably five steps behind as a result. From that day forward, we don’t know what happened to their business for the next three years. Maybe they promoted a trusted employee to run their business as a manager. Maybe they rented out their boats to other fishermen. Maybe they had other relatives or even sons of their own who could step in. What we do know is that in John 22, their fishing business was still there, and they were able to step back in as owners for a brief time before Jesus grabbed them and put them right back into ministry.
We can speculate the revitalised business generated enough income to support their families and their ministries. We don’t think they were wealthy as a result. After all, Peter hadn’t paid the temple tax in Matthew 17:24-27. It’s likely whatever they did earn in excess of their family’s needs went into the common purse held by Judas Iscariot. What we do know is whatever the source, God provided for three years of discipleship under Jesus the Messiah.
After John 22 we never see Peter return to the nets again. God had bigger plans for him. Just like God has bigger plans for you. Those plans may be buried deep inside you, pressed down by the requirements of life as a business owner. Maybe they’ve been torn to shreds by religious leaders. Maybe you’ve given up on them entirely. Just like Peter when he returned to the nets in John 22.