John 21:1-14 In His Presence
After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 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 are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.”
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
These events stand like a bookend in the lives of the disciples. The other end is Luke 5:1-8. Jesus called them to follow him with a demonstration of power and here he confirms their calling by a similar act.
The disciples go fishing but catch nothing. After a long hard disappointing night somebody calls out to them from the shore, “Hey boys! How’s the fishing, ya catch anything?” Have you ever fished all day and caught nothing only to have someone rub it in by asking about it? Your answer was probably just like theirs, “no”. But what if that person said, “cast again over that way to catch some”? Would you listen? Why did the disciples listen? Why despite the futility of it, despite their exhaustion did they do it? Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
They caught a bunch of fish. Then the light bulb went off in John’s head, “It’s Jesus!” He told Peter and Peter got so excited he put his coat on and jumped in the lake. John saw first but Peter acted first. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”
Jesus had breakfast waiting for them when they finally came up the beach. After all our labors when we get safely to that other shore we know he will be there ready and waiting for us. John 14:2-3, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
John states that this is the third appearance of Jesus to the disciples. Deuteronomy 19:15, “by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” And from the other gospels and Acts we know that there were other appearances of Jesus after he rose. The work of this world will give way to his presence. Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
brotherpayne 