John 21
John 21:1-25
1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.“ So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
It’s interesting what Jesus put on His post-resurrection agenda in the few moments before He ascended to heaven. He could have just waited for them to be done with their horrendous night of fishing and allowed them to glory in His presence once more. But, He made these moments all about those He had already poured His life into. He provided for their financial and physical needs and, in so doing, demonstrated the same heart and passion that would be their example in the commission that would consume the remainder of their time on earth. It would not be for them to garner their own glory and recognition but to do His works with a heart to feed and care for the people as a shepherd would for sheep. Rather than being aware and concerned about others’ roles and positions, it would be theirs to only follow where He had led them in laying His own life down no matter what anyone else would do.
What a precious way to end John’s account of Jesus’ life – with one of His most dramatic miracles, performed for their blessing and instruction. After all they had been through in the three days apart from Him, this encounter would be a continual source of affirmation and redirection from their circumstances to those they would lay down their lives to lovingly serve. It wasn’t a scheduled formal meeting with a declared agenda, but just doing life with them, providing understanding that bullet points could never impart. This would be the One that would never leave them, meeting their needs while leading them in the way every moment of their lives should go in fulfilling their purpose for His glory.
Peter was concerned about another disciple, and Jesus answered Him of what concern is it if yours, follow Me!
As human nature, I think we can get caught up in the what-about-someone-else line of thinking. Here, Jesus turns that back to Peter and remind him that it is following Him that matters in Peter’s life, not what anyone else does or has.
I love that this miracle is like the one when He first called them, full circle comfiration of care and calling. John recognized Him in it and we can each day “I know You, this is your heart, how you operate and I will trust and follow”.
Video Comment