153

John 21:1–14 ESV

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 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 will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 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. 12 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. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

John 21:1-14

The third time Jesus revealed Himself to disciples between resurrection and ascension. They didnt recognize Him from such a distance. He was still calling to them. Still teaching them. Still loving them.

John 15:5 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Symbolism of night still being used in John; only when Jesus addresses them in the morning do they have success in fishing. So the difference between the dark of night (failure in fishing) and the light of day (success in fishing) is seen here.

We will not judge whether these 7 were right or wrong for going fishing. I’m sure you’ve heard it preached that Jesus had called them away from fishing for fish. And you’ve likely heard it preached that they were simply doing what they knew to do.

Even when we are smack dab in the middle of His will, He uses circumstances to reveal more about Himself. To build the faith of believers. This is definitely that.

“Children!” Holman uses ‘Men’. NIV uses ‘Friends’. Both those miss the intimacy of ‘Children’. See how Jesus calls to us? Not belittling. Loving. Intimate. Paidia was an expression of intimacy as between a parent and child. He had worked for all His ministry to move them from novelty of a miracle worker to intimacy.

We need to move from novelty to intimacy with our Lord.

With each other.

You havent caught anything, have you?

There is a lot in that is not said. Left for speculation I guess.

Why would a group of seasoned fishermen listen to a stranger on the shore? Was the right side of the boat better than the left side? Could Jesus see (or did He send) a shoal of fish from where He was standing? Is there some hidden meaning behind Jesus’ instruction? Is obedience better than toil, busyness, sacrifice…? YES!

Was the right side of the boat better than the left side? Could Jesus see (or did He send) a shoal of fish from where He was standing? Is there some hidden meaning behind Jesus’ instruction? Is obedience better than toil, busyness, sacrifice…? YES!

We will not try to make silence speak. We will take what the Word gives and seek to better understand Jesus. And apply that to what He leads me through tomorrow.

Charcoal fire- only in two places in the NT. Both times Peter was there.

Denial and restoration

Darkness of night and Light of morning

Cold emptiness and warm fullness. And where there had been the hostility of questions aimed at Peter, here we see questions intended to restore and commission him. Oh how the Savior crosses every t and dots every i.

153 fish - fishermen count their fish

John 15:5 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Connected to the vine: grace to interact with the other branches wisdom to bring along the younger branches truth that protects every branch all flowing through branches to produce fruit knowing that apart from Him, we can do nothing

grace to interact with the other branches

wisdom to bring along the younger branches - why does an old man plant a pecan tree?

wisdom to bring along the younger branches - why does an old man plant a pecan tree?

truth that protects every branch - boundaries, pleasant places

truth that protects every branch - boundaries, pleasant places

Believers have the benefit of being connected to Jesus. Connected believers will produce fruit.

all flowing through branches to produce fruit

all flowing through branches to produce fruit

Connected believers will produce fruit.

knowing that apart from Him, we can do nothing

knowing that apart from Him, we can do nothing

Jesus has called us to be fishers of men. We may not, in this life, know how many we ‘caught’. But rest assured! One day we will know exactly how many are with us in glory because of the word of our testimony.

For Tonight: Read 2 Corinthians 5