When Jesus Shows Up Again

When Jesus Shows Up Again

John‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

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.

‭‭Introduction:

There are moments in our lives when we find ourselves navigating through the turbulent waters of uncertainty, doubt, and despair. Have you ever experienced a moment when everything seemed uncertain, and you longed for a sign, a beacon of hope?

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, unsure of what lies ahead?

In life’s twists and turns, there are moments when we feel lost, searching for direction and purpose. Yet, just when we least expect it, Jesus shows up again. His presence, like a gentle whisper in the chaos, brings clarity, comfort, and renewed faith.

In John 21:1, we witness a similar moment with the disciples. Disheartened and directionless after the crucifixion, they return to the familiarity of their old lives, casting their nets into the sea. But then, Jesus shows up again, standing on the shore. Today, let’s explore the profound implications of this encounter and what it teaches us about the transformative power of Jesus when he shows up again in our lives.

John has reached the climax of his Gospel with Thomas’s declaration of faith, but he doesn’t finish there. Unanswered questions have been left hanging. There are issues that need to be resolved. And so we have this final chapter, which shows how the disciples responded to the risen Jesus Christ and prepared for their life’s work.

This final chapter gives us a clear picture of what it looks like to live as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Our Confidence Will Not Be in Our Own Strength but in the Sovereignty of Jesus Christ.

Join me as we explore the profound significance of encountering Jesus when he shows up again, offering guidance, purpose, and renewal.

I. The Reappearance of His Person.

v1 ”After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples” Jesus revealed Himself. Jesus manifested Himself. The words after these things refer to the proof of Jesus’ resurrection.

The word again suggest this is not His first time …Jesus appears again to the disciples for a third time.

Jesus appears again to the disciples for a third time. He shows up at the place where Jesus and Peter walked on the water. It was the place where the storm was calmed by the Lord. It was also the location of the demons that were cast into the pigs and drowned in this sea.

Picture the scene: the disciples, disheartened and unsure of what to do next. Jesus showing up again in their lives, despite their doubts and confusion.

v1 Describe Jesus’ sudden appearance, standing on the shore, observing the disciples.

Jesus takes the initiative to reveal himself in verse 1, and throughout this episode he possesses comprehensive knowledge and is in total control of what happens. John does not tell us how much time has passed since the resurrection, but the disciples have clearly departed Jerusalem and returned to Galilee.

At some point they must have then returned to Jerusalem, and Acts 1:4 indicates that Jesus told them to stay there until the Spirit came upon them in power.

A. Disciples’ Dismay:

v3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee.

Just weeks before this event, these disciples had been busy going from city to city, and watching their Lord heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and raising people from the dead. Now, all this was past....

“Simon Peter saith unto them, ‘I go fishing.’ ” Now Peter was a man of action. He didn’t stand around very long doing nothing. And this is perhaps an indication of their impatience. And so Simon decides, “I’m going fishing.” What do you mean by that? “I mean, I’m going back to what I know I can do to provide for myself. I’m not sure whether this whole thing’s going to work out the way I hope it is, I haven’t seen Jesus around. And so I’m going to go back to do the one thing I know how to do, I’m going fishing.”

It seems that the men are still a bit confused on how they are supposed act, due to all of the sudden changes they had experienced.

Peter had miserably failed the Lord the night preceding the crucifixion. No doubt, he believes his spiritual career is over. When he says, “I’m off to fish,” he probably means, “I’m going to resume my former occupation.” The other six disciples also do not yet understand their future work and ministry, so they join Peter, their leader, in going fishing.

B. Dark Night:

v3 They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night

Symbol of Spiritual Desolation

Depleted Efforts:

v3 and that night they caught nothing.

A Night Of Wasted Activity...

These men were not novice fishermen. Just the opposite is true, for they had spent their entire lifetime, except for the three years of Jesus' ministry, in the occupation of fishing. They were well skilled highly knowledgeable to their trade. Perhaps, they figured since there seemed to be no apparent success in their spiritual calling, they would return to the life that they thought would be the same as before. Oh, but things had drastically changed, and they spent the entire night without coming close to catching a single fish. Now they were double failures, not only in the spiritual realm, but in their physical occupation as well. A great lesson was taught to them that night, and can be our lesson as well. They found out quickly that regardless of whether we are functioning in the physical realm or in the spiritual realm, it takes the presence and power of the Lord before any success can be had. Yes, we know that feeling, as most of us have felt it many many times before. They had purposely removed themselves from the will of God, and had entered the land of failures.

They fished all night and caught nothing! That must have been devastating for Andrew, Peter, James and John. After all, these men were professionals. They knew where the fish were and they knew how to catch them.

They failed because they were walking in the flesh instead of the Spirit! There was nothing wrong with fishing, it just wasn’t the business Jesus wanted them to be about....

This total failure no doubt is a revelation of Christ’s displeasure with the disciples’ forsaking the kingdom work..

Let me give you so HOPE WORDS

Your future doesn’t have to be determined by your failures.

I. The Reappearance of His Person.

II. The Recognition of His Presence, Was Unknown

v4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Recognition of the Risen Lord

v4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore:

The scripture states that when the morning came, Jesus was standing on the shore. It does not say that he had just come to the shore, but that when morning came, he was standing there. Now, without any light, the Lord could have been standing there all the time, and they would not have known it

B. Rekindling of Hope and Purpose

v5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

The reply of the disciples to the question was “No!” Why is Jesus asking them this question when He is omniscient and already knows the answer? He may have wanted them to confess their weakness or emptiness. It is humiliating to admit that you have caught nothing. There is an important point here. When we are honest about our own limitations, weaknesses, or emptiness, we are then ready for what the Lord wants to do in us and for us because we are teachable. He will get the glory for the blessings we receive. We are nothing without the Lord.

When Jesus showed up, things began to change!

I. The Reappearance of His Person. II. The Recognition of His Presence

III. Their Response to His Provisions v6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat and they caught a multitude of fish. This was a common practice of fishing. A man would stand on the shore to give directions to the fishermen in where to throw their nets into the clear water. They could see the fish that the men in the boat could not see. The huge catch reminds us that many times we are never far away from victory or success when we permit Jesus to give orders and follow them. Listening to the Lord and obeying Him leads to success.

Joshua 1:8—This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

When Jesus showed up, things began to change!

I. The Reappearance of His Person. II. The Recognition of His Presence

III. Their Response to His Provisions

IV. The Rekindling of Their Passion.

v7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord.

This divine encounter with the Lord Jesus produced a two fold illumination:

John Saw The Lord ("therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, it is the Lord")

I believe that Jesus had been there on the shore all night, but in the darkness, these disciples could not see that far. Now it was morning, and the light of God's sun placed light on God's SON.

Peter Saw The Light ("now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him (for he was naked) and did cast himself into the sea".) Divine illumination always produces two wonderful effects. It will show us ourselves and it will show us the Lord. Notice the order in which these two effects took place. Before Peter jumped into the sea to go to the presence of the Lord, he put his clothes on. I think the implication of this is quite obvious. He did not want to enter into the presence of the Lord naked

v8 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. v9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. v10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” v11 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. Jesus had just taught the disciples that all spiritual success comes from Himself. Now He teaches them that all spiritual life comes from Himself. Notice that the breakfast that He served them came from His own supply and not from the fish that they had caught. v12 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. v13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

v14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.“

‭‭

Closing:

When Jesus shows up,

..No circumstance that can restrict Him…

..No adversity that can hinder Him…

…No situation that can constrain Him…

..No power that can control Him…

When Jesus shows up,

..No enemy that can defeat Him…

…No obstruction that can block Him…

.No force that can limit Him…

When Jesus shows up, He can do..

...WHAT He pleases…

…WHEN He pleases…

… WHERE He please...

and…AS He pleases…

When Jesus shows up,

..nobody else knows, He knows

…nobody else cares, He cares…

..nobody else helps, He helps…

…nobody else sees, He sees…

and, when…

…nobody else can, HE CAN.

When Jesus shows up,

Where others have failed, Christ has conquered...

Where others were defeated, Christ has succeeded…

Where others were barren, Christ was fruitful…

Where others were weak, Christ was strong..

Where others became victims, Christ was victorious…

When Jesus shows up,

There has NEVER been..

.a battle that the Lord could not win…

..a burden that the Lord could not lift…

…a disease that the Lord could not heal…

“..a heartache that the Lord could not feel.

There has NEVER been…

..a loneliness that the Lord could not comfort.

…a promise that the Lord could not keep…

.a darkness that the Lord could not dispel.

_..a doubt that He could not destroy…

There has NEVER been

..a problem that He could not solve…

...a fear that He could not face…

....a soul that He could not bless…

....mountain that He could not move..

....sickness that He could not cure…

There has NEVER been…

…door that He could not open…

nor a…sorrow that He could not share…

If, and when necessary, Jesus can…

.....overthrow kingdoms…

…overrule decisions…

…overturn thrones…

..override judgments…

...overcome principalities…

and…overwhelm establishments.

There is just NO BODY like… ‘Jesus’ ! He alone is the is just way’…from…

...darkness unto light…

....despair unto delight,

,.. turmoil unto peace…

.burdens unto blessings…

Jesus’…! He ! He alone is the way’…from…

…ashes unto beauty…

..misery unto glory…

…fear unto faith…

…nothing unto something…

No, there’s just NOBODY like.... - Jesus’…!

…death unto life…

.bondage unto liberty…

..pain unto comfort…

weakness unto strength…