Jesus Appears at the Sea of Galilee

THE FINAL APPEARANCE OF THE RESURRECTED CHRIST REINFORCES THE NECESSITY FOR TOTAL DEPENDENCE UPON THE MASTER FOR SUPERNATURAL RESULTS

(:1-2) INTRODUCTION: PERFECT SETTING FOR A FISHING EXPEDITION

John 21:1–2 CSB

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together.

A. (:1) Location of Manifestation

“After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.”

B. (:2) Seven Participants

“There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples.”

TWO DIFFERENT MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS:

I. (:3-5) DETERMINATION + TEAMWORK + HARD WORK = 0

(APART FROM DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST)

John 21:3–5 CSB

3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered.

A. Determination (but impatient)

“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’”

B. Teamwork (but missing the key player)

“They said to him, ‘We will also come with you.’”

C. Hard Work

“They went out, and got into the boat”

spent all night working hard; had all the necessary equipment, skills, etc.

these were experienced fishermen; men’s men; using a big net (not just a hook)

D. Zero Results

“and that night they caught nothing.”

Much of the fishing in the Sea of Galilee was done at night in those days as it is yet today. Fishermen used torches to attract the fish to the boat and then netted them. But although they were expert fishermen, the disciples had labored throughout the night and had caught nothing. That must have been a rather unusual experience for them. Yet as this account makes clear, it was the Lord’s intention that they catch nothing on this occasion.

E. Sad Report Because They Were Not Using Their Key Resource

“But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them, ‘Children, you do not have any fish, do you?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’”

II. (:6-8) DEPENDENCE + OBEDIENCE = GRACE GIFT OF SUPERNATURAL RESULTS

John 21:5–8 CSB

5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. 6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. 8 Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.

A. Direction From the Master (although as yet unrecognized as such)

“And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.’”

Gracious initiative of the Master to provide direction coupled with a promise of success

Disciples were humble enough at this point to accept direction, even from a stranger.

B. Corporate Obedience / Human Responsibility

“They cast therefore”

Did not make a whole lot of natural sense; they were tired; they had tried everything; obviously they were not in a good location

notice that Jesus then invites the disciples to bring the fish they have caught. This beautifully suggests the way God works with man. Reading through the Scriptures I am continually astonished at the privilege given us by God of being co-laborers with him. Human labor was involved in almost all of the miracles of Jesus. For instance, our Lord multiplied the bread and fish which the boy had to feed the multitude, but he first sent the disciples searching through the crowd to see what they could supply. The wonder of this is that God, who could easily do it all himself, nevertheless gave them the great privilege of being co-workers with him.

C. Grace Gift of Supernatural Results

“and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.”

D. Recognition of the Master

“That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’”

E. Reunion with the Master

1. (:7b) Haste of Peter

“And so when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on) for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.”

2. (:8) Hard Work of the Other Disciples

“But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.”

III. (:9-13) THE MASTER PROVIDES FOR ALL OF OUR NEEDS ALONG THE WAY AS WE FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM

John 21:9-13 “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.”

A. (:9) God Can Provide Apart From Our Help

“And so when they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread.”

B. (:10-11) God Can Provide By Supernaturally Blessing Our Efforts

“Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.’ Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.”

Another miracle: that the net did not break!

C. (:12-13) Invitation to Fellowship Around a Meal

“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples ventured to question Him, ‘Who are You?’ knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.”

(:14) CONCLUSION:

“This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after he was raised from the dead.”