Feed My Sheep

John 21.

Have you ever felt unworthy of God's love? Have past mistakes left you questioning your place in His plan? The final chapter of John's Gospel offers a powerful reminder that our failures don't define us, and that God's grace has the power to restore and redirect our lives in ways we never imagined possible.

Picture this: A group of discouraged disciples, still reeling from the rollercoaster of emotions following Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

Despite having seen their risen Lord twice already, something still feels... off. Peter, once the bold and outspoken leader of the group, has retreated into himself.

His simple statement, "I'm going fishing," speaks volumes about his state of mind.

It's a sentiment many of us can relate to. When life becomes overwhelming, when guilt or shame weigh us down, we often retreat to what's familiar.

For Peter, it was fishing – his old profession before Jesus called him to be a "fisher of men."

But even in this act of retreat, we see God's hand at work.

Back to the Beach

John 21:1–6 ESV

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

This is Jesus’ final appearance to the Disciples prior to His ascension back to Heaven.

Each of these events, from the garden tomb to the sea shore in Galilee, came when the Disciples least expected it.

For believers today, this should be a comfort to us all that even when we dont feel like the Holy Spirit is near, the Presence of God is always with us, to comfort and guide us in our daily walk in life.

We will see how each of these encounters with Christ mirror our experiences with Him in our lives...

As each encounter with the Disciples, then, brought understanding, guidance and eventually restoration in a beautiful way, as only God can do it.

The miracle of the massive catch of fish is a repeat of the miracle Jesus did as He first called the Disciples in Matt 4, Luke 5, and Mark 1.

As the Disciples had seemed to have lost all sense of purpose due to the recent events- In spite of Jesus appearing to them twice already, proving His resurrection.

Peter’s comment of simple resignation, “ I’m going fishing...” encapsulates the sentiment of the entire group.

Peter didnt seem able to properly process the totality of what has happened.

in the previous chapter, as Jesus appears to the Disciples twice in eight days, only Thomas is mentioned by name.

Peter, one of Jesus’ inner circle of Disciples, seems to have shrunken into the shadows of the group so as to almost disappear.

For a man who was at the forefront of nearly every other facet of Jesus’ ministry, this is shocking. Where is Peter?

There is an Easter song written by Don Francisco, “He’s Alive” from the late 1970’s, that looks at the Resurrection from Peters perspective.

There’s a line that in the song that mentions that, after Peter had seen the empty tomb with John, he simply “Just turned to go...” as the Gospel writer mentions, both John and Peter, “Returned to their homes.”

The song continues that for Peter, because he had seen his Messiah crucified, had watched Him die-

Seeing the empty tomb, realizing that he had denied even knowing Christ three times, just as Jesus had said he would...

That’s when all the guilt and anguish came, and as the song so eloquently puts it, “Even if He was alive, it just wouldnt be the same...”

So, even after seeing his Messiah alive twice now, Peter was so buried in his own guilt and remorse- he knew in his heart, it would never be the same.

And how many times have we been right where Peter is at?

Whether it be the holding on of some past grudge,

A failure of some sort in the workplace, where you have disappointed your co-workers or your Boss.

Even in your local church setting, if there has been a situation where you failed to follow up on a promise, obligation or a commitment...

You’ve gone back to work, continued to join in with the church body, but it just doesn’t feel the same. Even been there?

I have, and it’s not a pleasant feeling.

So hold that thought… We’ll get back to it shortly.

We see that in Chapter 20 only Thomas is mentioned by name, yet here in the first few verses of ch 21, Peter, Thomas (again), Nathanael, are mentioned by name...

The sons of Zebedee, (James and John), and two others were together.

Seven total, and Peter, still wallowing in his guilt and shame decides to go back to what he knows best, “I’m going fishing”

2- The Revelation in the Fish

John 21:7–11 ESV

That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.

Peter seems to be re-energized. Maybe things are changing in Peters heart!

The same impetuous Peter, who walked on water, who wanted to build 3 monuments on the mountain top for Moses, Elijah and Jesus, who declared a forever allegiance to to Jesus, that Peter is slowly making his way back.

This demonstrates to us, that no matter how far we fell we have fallen, there is no gulf too large to be outside of God’s grace and forgiveness.

Still reacting out of defeat and self doubt- Peter still recognizes, God’s hand in the catch- He had seen this before and remembered- “It is the Lord!”

What a declaration- One that we can all relate too- When we have nothing left in us to give- That is where we find the Lord.

We find Peter, once again, jumping out of the boat...

Only this time, he doesnt walk on water, he doesnt have too, Peter swims to shore, why?

Because he knows that’s where the Lord is...

And because he knows the Lord is there, even after a failed moment, our desire to reconnect with our Saviour, can bring us back into joy and peace.

3- Called to Serve

John 21:12–17 ESV

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

After Peter denied Jesus three times, he was devastated. Can you imagine the weight of shame he carried?

But in John 21, Jesus seeks out Peter. By the shore, He asks, 'Do you love me?' three times, reinstating Peter each time.

This moment exemplifies grace—a powerful reminder that our failures do not define us.

God can restore and use us despite our past mistakes.

Just as Peter was called to lead, we too can embrace the second chances God offers.

How does Jesus's approach to Peter after his denial reflect God's grace in our own lives?

The account of Peter's reinstatement unfolds on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

After returning to fishing, Peter encounters the resurrected Jesus.

Each question, 'Do you love me?', peels back layers of regret and fear, echoing Peter's three denials.

This tender interaction shows us that God doesn’t just forgive; He actively restores us to our calling.

It speaks volumes that despite our slip-ups, we are never beyond the reach of mercy and can stand firm in our purpose.

Much has been said, and more could probably be said in regards to Peters reinstatement by Jesus.

I believe we can sum it up with this....

God always has a higher calling for us than just for us to feel better about ourselves.

Peters restoration wasn’t to just make Peter feel better, but to see that even in his failure, or even, because of his failure, God could now use Peter in a greater way than ever thought possible.

The grace and mercy of God isnt poured out on us, just for our sake but for the plans of God to be fulfilled in ways we cannot even comprehend.

That is the true power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as we allow Him to bring us to places that we can be the most effective to bring glory to God, in all that we do.

4- Failure with a Purpose

John 21:18–25 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

John 20:30–31 ESV

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus had already predicted Peters actions once already, now Jesus removes any hubris or self reliance from Peter.

Being told, much like the Apostle Paul’s awareness of the difficulties he would face for his faith in Christ, That there would come a time when Peter would be dressed and carried by others, to a place he did not want to go.

With the only request from Jesus being, “Follow Me”

The impact of all of this is the constant reminder that our lives on earth are not meant to be pleasant and comfortable.

In Christ, our lives can be lived with meaning and intentional purpose, as directed by God.

It should be reassuring to all believers that, in spite of our moments of failure and disappointment,

As long as we continue to place our faith and trust in God, we can always find restoration through the Holy Spirit.

We can be assured that the Love of God will provide us with the means to cope with whatever life throws our way.

That promise is backed by God’s eternal promise to never leave or forget about us.

It is truly mind boggling that the totality of the Ministry of our Lord and Saviour was so vast, that John surmises that there is not enough room in the world to contain the whole of what He did for us.

Just let that sink in for a minute.

As a final thought I will leave you with some things to consider.

In the scope of your own life, what does the “Feed my Sheep” directive mean to you in regards to your community and circle of friends?

Is there some specific area of service you may be willing to engage in, given the magnitude of Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter?