Restored

The Constant Guide

John 21:1–14 NIV

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

John 21:1-

Some have noticed that the conclusion of John’s gospel seems to come at the close of chapter 20, but this story is also included. I believe that when we look at the Scriptures and the portions of the Scriptures that are in question as to whether they are penned by the original author and to what authority should we give them. The books of the New Testament were in regular circulation by the middle of the second century with Paul’s epistles being in collection form by the end of the first century. By the beginning of the third century, the 27 books of the modern New Testament were accepted by the majority of church fathers as the canon, or standard with some peripheral books also in consideration. With that being said, these books were in such high circulation that the addition of new information would have quickly been outed as fraudulent. This chapter is even found in the Codex Siniaticus and codex vaticanus have the 21 chapter in them. So early in church history this chapter was included and was not disputed.

On the sea of Galilee, night fishing was common place. The boat was about 100 yards off the shore. The men were net fishing, casting it out and pulling it back in. All night, they have been working at this. By first light, they are tired and their overnight effort had been in vain. It was not uncommon for net casters to take word from the people on shore. The angle at which they were able to see the water allowed for them on shore to see the movement of schools of fish.

Jesus stands on shore and guides the disciples once more to the very thing that they were looking for. As they begin to pull up the fish, maybe they were reminded of what had happened when Jesus had called them to follow him. In , after a hard night of fishing, Simon, James and John were instructed by Jesus to let down their nets in deep water and they pull up a catch too great to carry in their nets or their boats.

Jesus’ desire in our lives is to be the good king that we all need. He desires to lead us into victory. The problem for many of us is that we do not desire to be led or we do not understand or trust that victory in Jesus is the best victory that we can have. We hold on to what we believe is best for us or what we believe the moment can bring us. This was the same problem with Israel.

Restored

John 21:15–19 NIV

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

John 21:

Jesus is faithful in his love and guidance. He comes to Simon and points him toward restoration. How recent it was that Simon had stood with boldness before the Lord saying that even if everyone else leaves, he would remain faithful. It is this moment that the Lord tells Simon that before the rooster crows he would deny Jesus 3 times. On the night of his betrayal, the rooster crowed and Peter had done exactly as Jesus had said. Peter was overwhelmed with grief. Luke stated that he wept bitterly as a result of his failure.

Jesus comes alongside Peter and asks him does he love Jesus more than these? These may have meant the boats and nets and fish or it could have been more than the other disciples present or maybe it was both.

Three times Jesus asks Peter, mirroring the three denials of Peter.

Jesus ask Peter each time of his love. In response to Peter’s affirmation, Jesus states that love demands a response. We cannot be followers of Christ if we are people who do not respond to Christ’s love. Love is not truly experienced without response.

How Great is Our God

John 21:20-

John 21:20–25 NIV

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.