I. Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish (21:1-14)
21:3 “that night they caught nothing” - Night was the time to go fishing. Jesus called his first disciples from their business of fishing. Read Matthew 4:18-22. After having seen the resurrected Christ, they leave their new life and return to the old. Why do you think the disciples were confused and went back to the old way of life?
21:4-7 “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” Jesus gave them some fishing advice, but they didn’t realize it was him at the beginning. Later, John told Peter, “It is the Lord.” Why did Peter jump into the water?
21:8-9 “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” For the disciples there needed to be some reminders, to bring their hearts and minds back to God’s mission. Jesus said they would all be scattered (dispersed). Read John 16:32. It is difficult to return to the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can bring us forgiveness and anoint us for powerful ministry. The disciples will soon learn this on Pentecost. At this time, seeing the fish and the fire would have brought back some memories. First, the coals (charcoal) would remind the reader of the Gospel of John of the fire in the courtyard when Peter denied the Lord (John 18:18). What is the relationship between forgiveness and forgetting? If your sins are forgiven will you or should you forget your sin?
21:11 Peter supervised the big task of hauling in the large catch of 153 fish. The miracle here is that the net was not torn, a symbol of not losing any that are evangelized. Read John 6:39; 10:28; 17:12. How can this give us hope of reaching the lost with the Gospel?
21:12 “They knew it was the Lord” – How do you know the Lord? Read John 10:2-5 again.
21:13 Jesus gives the food to his disciples. It reminded them of the miracle of breaking and multiplying the fish and the loaves and also of the Last Supper (Holy Communion). Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
II. Jesus Reinstates Peter (21:15-25)
21:15 “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” It could mean that Peter was asked if he loved Jesus the Son of God more than the things of this world (fishing equipment). Or, Peter was asked if he really had greater love than the other disciples. Peter claimed to have more love. Read John 13:37; 15:13; Matthew 26:33. We live in a very competitive world. People want so much to be number one, to rise to the top, to go to the best school, and to become the most successful. Should the competitive spirit be in the church? Read Mark 9:33-37. Who is really the greatest?
21:16-17 Peter is asked three times. This is to bring forgiveness for his three acts of sin. To “truly love” God also means that you and your children and grandchildren should love the Lord. It means you should love God by obeying all his commandments. Finally, we are to love God with our whole being: all your heart, soul, and strength. Read Deuteronomy 6:1-5. With all this in mind, can you answer today that you truly love Jesus? Peter is told that love for the Lord must be expressed in pastoral concern for others. Remember the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). We can’t say that we love God and not love our neighbor. Read James 2:8-9; 1 John 3:11; 4:20-21.
21:18 “stretch out your hands” – This is a picture of how Peter would later die: crucified upside down.
21:19 “follow me” – Jesus called people to follow him, to become his disciples. Read Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 16:24; and 19:21.
21:21-22 “what about him?” – Again, we can hear some jealousy. The competitive spirit is hard to cast out of God’s house. Jesus responds simply with “what is that to you? You must follow me.” There is a good reason that we are to receive Christ as our personal Savior. Although we all are one body, united in Christ, we are still many individual members. The Bible also tells us that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Read Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27. Finally, it is always good to remember the words of our Lord in Matthew 7:1-5.
21:22 “until I return” – Christ is making it clear that there will be a second coming.
21:24-25 This Gospel was written by the beloved disciple John. The Gospel is about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and his appearance to witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Twenty-one chapters is only the beginning of the glorious message of the Gospel: the life and ministry of our blessed Savior and Lord. The whole world cannot hold the books that could be written about the Lord who loved this world so much that he laid down his life.