It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee [James and John], and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21:2-6 NIV)
In the previous lesson, we studied that Jesus had appeared to the disciples and proven to them that indeed He was alive and not a ghost, and had a physical body that they could touch, and see the marks from where He was crucified. (see THE GOSPEL: Jesus Appears to the Eleven Disciples, and All of Us) Now, He was appearing to them again, and performing yet another miracle that would serve as an example of a spiritual truth. Remember when Jesus called the first four disciples, they were fishermen, And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. (Matthew 4:18-22; see THE GOSPEL: Disciples, Who are These Guys)
Jesus was revealing two spiritual truths to the disciples when He had them throw their net on the right side of the boat: (1) they had to obey His commandment, even with doubts or questions whether it would work; and (2) they would be blessed and be a blessing to many because of their obedience. They had just spent all night not catching a thing, but within minutes, after obeying Jesus' instruction, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Now the time had come for them to do the same by obeying and following Christ, and He would make them fishers of men. Just as Peter had done before, Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. (John 21:7-8 NIV)
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21:9-14 NIV) How loving, all that happened! Peter, so overjoyed that Jesus was appearing to them again, couldn't wait for the boat to get to land, so he jumped into the water, while the other disciples followed in the boat. Only after Jesus speaks to him, does Peter go back to help drag the net ashore.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 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.” 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. (John 20:15-17 NIV)
Remember before Jesus was crucified, during His last supper with the disciples, He told them, Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ [Zechariah 13:7] But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:31-35; see THE GOSPEL: Don't Say What You Won't Do; Pray for Strength) We know that Peter did everything he promised he wouldn't do, Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:60-26; see THE GOSPEL: The Rock denies The ROCK)
The guilt Peter felt was so overwhelming that he wept bitterly. But Jesus had made him a promise also. And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32) Peter was so anxious to see Jesus because he had felt so much guilt. Now Jesus was keeping his promise to him, and restoring him back to his position of leadership and future responsibilities of building the "church", the body of believers. (read THE GOSPEL: "The Rock" vs. rocks) That's why Jesus gave him the specific commandments to “Feed my lambs;” “Take care of my sheep;” and “Feed my sheep." While Jesus, the Good Shepherd is gone back to the Father, He has left certain ones with the responsibility to ... take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (Acts 20:28)
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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him,“Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple 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?” (John 20:18-23 NIV)
Yet again, we can learn from Jesus how we should respond to people's questions, by stating the facts and move on, not arguing the point or trying to convince anyone. Jesus has told each of us individually to “Follow me!” We are not to look back or around, and see how others are following or not following. Christ is saying, “...what is that to you? You must follow me.” This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 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. (John 21:24-25 NIV) Based on what has been written, we have more than enough proof and evidence to make a choice, whether to believe in Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord and be saved; or deny the Truth, and deal with the consequences.
But the Apostle Paul gives us one final summary as verification of all that is written in the gospels. Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I [Paul] preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me [Paul] also, as to one abnormally born. (I Corinthians 15:1-8 NIV)
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