Scripture: John 21:1-25
John 21:1-14
Afterward (After what? After he appeared to
Thomas and the Gospel ended – this is an epilogue that clearly defines how
Jesus will continue to act in the world – through His church!) Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by
the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee
– 13 mi long, 8 mi wide, 140 deep – Jordon river runs thru it).
Jesus’
appearance happened this way: 2 Peter,
James, John, Thomas, Nathanael and two other disciples (US) were together. (John
- Thinker / Peter - Action) 3 Peter
told them, "I'm going out to fish,"
and they said, "We'll go with you."
So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Jesus was gone, they were depressed already wondering what they would
do next-no church. Peter decided to do something familiar and productive and came
up with nothing…like adding insult to injury.
4 Early in the
morning, Jesus stood on the shore, (Jesus on the shore - something’s going to happen - JTB / Preach in
boat / ‘follow me’ / walk on water) but
the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right
side of the boat and you will find some." (Maybe this stranger saw fish jumping - we were concentrating on the other side
of the boat.) When they cast
their net on the right side, they were unable to haul the net in because of the
large number of fish.
7 Then John
said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" Immediately, Peter wrapped his
outer garment around him and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish,
for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
9 When they
landed, they saw a fire of burning coals (ἀνθρακιὰν = a heap of burning coals) there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the
fish you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of
large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. (Put the fish in a catch basis) 12
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast."
None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are
you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with
the fish. (Jesus - whose resurrection appearance was
similar yet different gave them no doubt it was him when he fed them fish and
loaves of bread. John 6:10-11 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the
men sat down, about 5000 of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and
distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same
with the fish.) 14
This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised
from the dead.
Another time there was this unusual term for fire of burning coals:
John 18:15-27
Simon Peter
and another (JOHN? Look
at Acts 3) disciple were
following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went
with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard (sounds like John one upping Peter), but Peter had to wait outside at the
door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to
the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. "You are not one of his disciples, are you?"
the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I
am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and
officials stood around a fire (ἀνθρακιὰν = a heap of burning coals) they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming
himself. Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and
his teaching. "I have spoken openly to the world,"
Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or
at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why
question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said."
When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face.
"Is this the way you answer the high priest?"
he demanded. "If I said something wrong,"
Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But
if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to
Caiaphas (son in law) the high priest. As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was
asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are
you?" He denied it, saying, "I am
not." One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man
whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't
I see you with him in the olive grove?" Again
Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When
they had finished eating, Jesus said to Peter, “Simon
son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter said, “Yes,
Lord, you know that I love you. “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes,
Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take
care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt
because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed
yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out
your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want
to go.” 19 Jesus said
this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he
said to him, “Follow me!” 20 Peter turned and saw that John was
following them and he asked Jesus, “Lord, what
about him?” 22 Jesus
answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I
return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread
among the believers that John would not die. But Jesus did not say that he
would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain
alive until I return, what is that to you?”
24 This
is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know
that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus
did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I
suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would
be written.
The catch of fish: 153 – enormous like feeding the
5000 and turning water into wine. The
fish represent those who are outside the fold of the great shepherd. Of course they are, fish cannot live in a
sheepfold. An unrepentant sinner is to heaven like a fish out of water – can’t
live very long because a fish is not created to live in that environment. Jesus is pointing out that there is a lot of
work to do, The primary work is that of catching fish and bringing them into
the catch basis where God alone can work a miracle and turn those fish into
sheep who are changed in a way that they can now live in the sheepfold of the
great shepherd.
CONCLUSION
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now
may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought
back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you
with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing
to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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