Restored and Commissioned

Scripture: John 21:1-19, Acts 2:14-41, Lamentations 3:22-23

Introduction

Good morning, church!

Last week, we looked at the story of Thomas—he wrestled with doubt, but Jesus was patient with him, caring. We were reminded that Jesus does not turn away those who struggle to believe. Instead, He invites us to come closer, to see the evidence of His love, and to trust Him.

This morning, we’ll look at another disciple who had a moment of crisis—not of doubt, but of failure.

Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, had major expectations. He said that even if everyone else deserted Jesus, he never would. And then, after Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him—three times.

Can you imagine Peter’s mental state after that? After all the miracles, after walking on water, after declaring that Jesus was the Messiah… at a time of extreme pressure, Peter failed.

Maybe you know that feeling. Maybe there have been moments in your life where you’ve failed—where fear, shame, or regret have made you wonder if God could still use you. Am I in...or am I out?

The good news is that Jesus does not leave us in failure.

This morning, we’ll see how Peter experiences Jesus reminding him of who he is and of his value in the Kingdom: Jesus takes Peter back a few years, by the shore, while fishing when He asked Peter to....

“Follow Me.”

Peter’s reminded of some things...and Jesus said… you’re not done yet.

So if you’ve ever wondered if God still has a place for you, if you’ve ever felt unworthy, this passage is for you. Because Jesus is not finished with you yet...His goal?....re-creation.

Let’s jump into the account...I’ll just read for a minute.

Main Teaching

Read John 21:1-19

John 21:1–19 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. “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. When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. “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. 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. 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. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

**Returning to the Familiar (John 21:1-3)

After the resurrection, the disciples found themselves at a crossroads. Jesus had appeared to them, proving that He was alive—but what now?

They had spent three years following Him, watching Him perform miracles, listening to His teachings, and believing He would establish God’s kingdom. But now, things are different. As John wrote in the previous chapter, “They didn’t understand ...”.

Peter, a vocal leader in the group, made a decision: "I am going fishing" (John 21:3). I think we can make an assumption here—this was a return to what was familiar.

Remember, before Jesus had called him to be a disciple, Peter was a fisherman (Luke 5:1-11). Now, after the denial, and the uncertainty of what to do next, he went back to his life before Jesus…He went fishing.

This speaks a lot of natural human tendencies: when we feel lost, pressure, when we are unsure of things, or in failures, we often go back to what is familiar. We go to old habits, old ways of thinking, and sometimes even to places we once left behind.

Have you ever felt like a failure and wanted to go back to what was safe and comfortable? That’s exactly where Peter was. He may have thought, "I blew it. I denied Jesus. Maybe I’m not cut out for this disciple thing."

Jesus does not wait for him/us to get everything figured out—He comes to us, even when we go back to the familiar.

**Jesus Provides and Reveals Himself (John 21:4-14)

The disciples had spent the entire night fishing but caught nothing. Frustrating…

Empty nets...even as they returned to something they knew well.

This sets the stage for Jesus to remind Peter..and the rest of some important things.

...So the sun was coming up: "Guys, do you have any fish?" (John 21:5).

Jesus ...he already knew the answer.

He’s forming a contrast. Empty nets to full nets.

They call back, "No."

"Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some" (John 21:6).

They had been fishing all night—not catch—what difference would it make?

They did as they were told, and immediately,

the net filled with so many fish that they could hardly pull it in...John writes that in.

And then John...probably remembering 3 years ago and a similar miracle - shouts...."It is the Lord!" (John 21:7). He recognized what was happening, this is how Jesus originally called them to be disciples.

“I will make you fishers of men. Follow me.”

Peter then reacted to John’s words. He throws on his outer garment and jumps into the water and swims to Jesus (John 21:7).

For Peter, this wasn’t about the fish—it was about Jesus. ..the One he had denied.

Then the others reach the shore (100 yards) —fish and bread were already cooked over a fire (John 21:9-13). Where’d Jesus get His fish???

What a beautiful picture of Christ’s love: This was cool! Breakfast...already cooked. No pressure. Inviting...

Jesus is the same with us. He calls to us, provides for us, and reveals Himself in ways we probably wouldn’t expect.

The question is—will we recognize Him when He calls?

And maybe a further question… Will we be able to humble ourselves and receive what He’s offering?

***The Restoration of Peter (John 21:15-17)

After breakfast, Jesus turns His attention to Peter.

It is restoration time.

SLIDE

John 21:15 CSB

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Jesus addressed Peter by his full name, just as He had when first calling him to follow (John 1:42).

He reminds Him, softly about his priory commitment.

More than these? Is he referring to the fish? To the other disciples? It really doesn’t matter. How much do you love me Peter?

Three times, Jesus asked: "Do you love Me?" Three times, Peter responded: "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You." Three times, Jesus commanded: "Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My sheep."

Why three times? Because three times Peter had denied Jesus (John 18:15-27).

This was not a coincidence—it was grace in action.

With each question, Jesus was undoing Peter’s failure and reaffirming his calling. Peter’s denial had been public, and now, so was his restoration.

At first, Peter answered confidently. But by the third time, Scripture says he was "grieved" (John 21:17). Perhaps he felt the weight of his past mistake.

Yet, Jesus was not trying to shame him—He was bringing him to a place of healing. Peter’s love was real, but Jesus wanted him to see that in his love there was also a deeper calling.

I think this wasn’t about shaming Peter...Jesus knew Peter loved Him. This was about purpose...keep going.

Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus gave him a commission:

● "Feed My lambs" (John 21:15) – Care for the young and vulnerable in faith.

● "Tend My sheep" (John 21:16) – Guide and protect the flock, providing leadership and direction.

● "Feed My sheep" (John 21:17) – Continue to nurture, teach, and lead God’s people.

Jesus was making it clear—Peter’s story was not over. His failure did not define him; his calling did.

*************************************

What This Means for Us

Peter’s restoration reminds us of three key truths:

SLIDES

Jesus does not give up on us. Even when we fall short, He calls us back. (Lamentations 3:22-23

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Love for Jesus leads to action. If we love Him, we are called to serve others. (1 John 3:18

1 John 3:18 NIV

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

God uses our failures for His glory. Peter went on to become a pillar of the early church, not in spite of his past but because of God’s redemption in it. (Acts 2:14-41

Acts 2:14 NIV

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

Have you ever felt like you’ve messed up too badly for God to use you? Peter must have felt that way. But Jesus is in the business of restoration. He does not define us by our worst moments—He calls us forward in love. That’s what Peter experienced...you can too.

Conclusion (John 21:18-19)

After restoring Peter, Jesus gave him a glimpse of his future. It would not be easy—Peter would one day give his life for following Jesus. But Jesus’ first and final words to him were super simple but important for life: "Follow Me." Its the call of every disciple.

Peter’s story is our story. We’ve all failed in life. We could probably all say we’ve doubted, denied Jesus...like Peter.

But, from Peter’s story, we see failures do not disqualify us from God’s mission.

Instead, Jesus meets us where we are, begins to transform us. Our choice is in there for sure. But His choice is to be there, rescue us, restore us, recreate us, and give us incredible purpose.

Today’s passage reminds us that Jesus does not need perfect people to build His kingdom—He builds His Kingdom through us.

He calls those who are willing to follow Him, even after failure. He says, follow me, feed my sheep.

This is for all of us.

"Follow Me."

This is the call that continues today. Jesus meets us, restores us, and calls us to follow Him. But what does following Him look like?

Next week, we’ll look at Jesus' final instructions before He ascends to heaven—what we know as the Great Commission.

Being restored by Jesus is just the beginning. We are called to go, to make disciples, and to share His love with the world.

So the question we must ask ourselves is this: How will we respond to this? Will we go back to what is familiar, or will we step into the purpose Jesus has given us?

Let’s pray together.