John
21:1
Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. -John 21:1
The disciples had all gone north to meet up with Jesus. One evening, seven of them were beside the lake when Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.” The others responded, “We’ll come, too” and climbed into the boat (see John 21:1-3).
But after being out on the water all night and repeatedly trying, “they caught nothing.” At dawn, they were close to shore, perhaps near one of the springs that feed the lake, when a man they didn’t recognize called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they called back. The man responded, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” (John 21:4-6).
Could He see the water agitated on that side of the boat, indicating many large fish below the surface? If He could, surely they too would see it, for at least three of them were professional fishermen. But they did as He suggested, “and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it” (John 21:6, see also verse 11). John, “the disciple Jesus loved,” who had been given the responsibility to care for Jesus’ mother, said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” (John 21:7).
Having stripped for fishing, Peter immediately wrapped a garment around himself, jumped into the water, and swam the 90 meters (300 feet) to shore. He had been stripped naked by his shameful denials, but Jesus had appeared to him personally on resurrection Sunday-and now Jesus was on the shore. When Peter and others “got there, they found breakfast waiting for them-fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread” (John 21:9).
“Bring some of the fish you have just caught,” Jesus said. They had “153 large fish.” Jesus then invited them to “have some breakfast.” It was the third time He had appeared to them: the first on resurrection Sunday evening when He ate fish; the second when Thomas was there; and this third time, with Thomas again present, when “Jesus served them the bread and the fish” (see John 21:12-14).
It would have been such a good feed. Just imagine fresh fish roasted over coals and warm bread prepared by Jesus. The Son of God, soon to return to the Ancient of Days as the Son of Man (see Daniel 7:13, KJV), was performing these common chores-preparing, cooking and serving while at the same time clarifying the eternal purposes of life.
With breakfast finished, He turned to Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Avoiding comparing himself with others, Peter responded, “Yes, Lord… you know I love you.” Jesus repeated the question, with Peter repeating his answer. But when Jesus then asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter “was hurt,” responding, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you” (see John 21:15-17).
It was an awkward discussion. The others-Thomas, Nathanael from Cana, the sons of Zebedee (James and John) and two unnamed disciples-may have looked down or away. Three times Peter had denied his Lord and they all knew it, and now three times Jesus pressed to reinstate him. Three times He repeated, “Feed my lambs… take care of my sheep…feed my sheep” (see John 21:15-17).
When young, Peter did as he liked, but in meeting Jesus-and being confronted by His trial, death and resurrection-he experienced transformation. When old, he would “stretch out his hands” and die as Jesus had (see John 21:18, 19). He was not to compare himself with others not even with John, “the disciple Jesus loved”-for “what is that to you?” Jesus asked. “As for you, follow me,” He repeated (see John 20:19-23).
Personal Reflections
- How does Jesus’ forgiveness and restoration of Peter challenge you to extend forgiveness and restoration to others?
- What is your response to Jesus’ repeated command to “feed my lambs… take care of my sheep… feed my sheep” especially to those who do not have the Gospel in their language?
This Pentecost season join other Christ followers to give God’s Word to those who do not have the Good News in their language.
Thank you for giving the Living Word to the Bibleless.
GIVE GOD'S WORD TO THE BIBLELESS
GIVE NOW!
The Journey
To Be Continued...
01
Walk to Emmaus
Jesus begins walking along the road with two disciples who have left the other disciples in Jerusalem and the upper room, and have decided it is time to go home.
02
Fishers of Men
Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. -John 21:1
03
Ascension
On earth, just a handful of Galileans watched in awe as Jesus ascended. Two heavenly beings arrived, confirming that the post-resurrection appearances of the last 40 days were now over-but for a few exceptional occurrences.
04
Pentecost
It was the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover. Pentecost, the Feast of Harvest or Weeks
