JOHN

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John Chapter 21

• John 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 
• 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 

Jesus still had not returned to the Father in heaven and we will be able to see why. His disciples still needed training, encouragement and reassurance.

• John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 

Peter wasn't one for inaction and waiting around. He decided to go fishing. Something to do when one doesn't know what to do I suppose. He was returning to his former occupation temporarily.

• John 21:4  But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 
• 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 
• 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 

How wise the Lord was to repeat an earlier event that happened before His death and resurrection to bring to their remembrance what their new commission and calling was to be.

• John 21:7  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 

The disciple whom Jesus loved was a term I believe referring to John, the writer of this book in the bible. John was the apostle that had a lot of love for people. I do notice down through the years of church attendance that there is always a few or at least one person that always had a love for people among us that stood out above others. John seemed to be one of those. I'm sure Jesus didn't love him more than the others but for some reason they did have a special bond. John seemed to be one that didn't want Jesus to leave but stay with them.

• John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 
• 9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 

We can see clearly the reason for this meeting. To show them truly that He (Jesus) was alive and could eat just like they could eat. He was in a resurrected body and not just a spirit. This is great because it shows us that we who follow Him will one day have a new body that can not die or be hurt again.

• John 21:10  Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 
• 11  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 
• 12  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 

I'm sure they had doubts and uncertainty but just in case it was really the Lord and He was really alive, they didn't ask who He was. What a time this must have been.

From the book of Luke we see the repeat of that previous time when Jesus told them to cast down their nets and gather together a great harvest of fish when hours before that time, they were not successful in catching much fish. 

• Luke 5:3  And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 
• 4  Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 
• 5  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 
• 6  And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 
• 7  And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 
• 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 
• 9  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 
• 10  And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Catching men simply meant to spread the gospel and bring both men, women and children into the kingdom of God. Their whole live and mission was changing but first they needed reminding, reassurance and a boost of encouragement to get them started. The book of Acts records what finally is given to them to equip them to spread the gospel. Of course that promise is for all believers, not just the first believers. The endowment of power for service was coming so that we are never alone. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is what they will receive after Jesus leaves. 

One verse in the above verses in Luke has always stood out to me and that is verse 5 where Peter said, they toiled all night and caught nothing but Peter said, "Nevertheless at thy word" I will let down the net. How important it is to take the Lord at His word. In spite of working all night and assuming there was no fish around to be caught, Peter respected the "Word" of Jesus. 

• John 21:13  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 
• 14  This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 

Jesus and Peter have to restore their fellowship because of the time Peter out of fear denied knowing Him.

• John 21:15  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 

It would seem that the lambs represented those either young in age or young in the Lord or new in the faith. Peter was to instruct, nurture and care for them as a shepherd cares for the young sheep. 

• John 21:16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 
• 17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

Three times Peter had previously denied Jesus so three times Jesus asked Peter if he really loved him more these, enough to follow Him even if he had to die in the same manner. Peter once bragged that he was willing to die for him even if all others forsook Him. Was his love enough to endure what is to come for the sake of the gospel. 

I believe that in this passage that perhaps Jesus was referring to Peter's former occupation. Before He became a disciple, he was a fisherman. After the death of Jesus, Peter returned to his former life of a fisherman. So Jesus was asking if Peter loved enough to give up his life as a fisherman and follow Him to begin fishing for the souls of men.

It takes a great love for souls, a love for Christ and a love for the calling the Lord calls us to do in order to be able to endure the hardship caused by those that resist the message of the gospel. Was Peter up to the task? That I believe is what this dialogue between the Lord and Peter was about.

The sheep represented the ones older or older in their walk with the Lord but still needing guidance and help along the way. Peter was not to lord over them and be a dictator but to lead them in the right direction again as a faithful shepherd does with his sheep.

• John 21:18  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
• 19  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 

Tradition in other writings says that when Peter was facing a martyr's death for preaching the gospel, they were going to crucify him like they did Jesus but Peter requested that they crucify him upside down because he felt unworthy to die just like the Lord died. 

• John 21:20  Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 
• 21  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 

We can learn a lot from the following verses. We must follow our own calling and not be overly concerned about what the Lord calls someone else to do. God does not make us carbon copies of each other. There are different things that need to be done for the gospel's sake. Not all of us are preachers, teachers, etc. Some have other duties. We follow Christ and get our eyes off criticizing or try to manipulate someone else's calling but instead we encourage our brothers and sisters in the Lord and be there for them, praying for each other, having godly fellowship and giving much encouragement. If correction is needed, do so in the spirit of meekness.

• John 21:22  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 
• 23  Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? 

This is where some believe John is still alive somewhere and didn't really die yet. Some have speculated that he may be one of the two future witnesses that is to come during the tribulation or what is called the time of Jacob's trouble just before the Second coming of the Lord to set up His Millennial reign. This we don't know for sure though. There is other writings that say John died a natural death. Again these things we don't know at this present time.  

• John 21:24  This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 
• 25  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. 

John the apostle reveals himself here and lets us know that he is the author of this book and the one Peter is was inquiring about. All will be revealed in the Lord's timing not ours but we should always be seeking and searching the word and seeking to be filled with His spirit.  DC