John 21

Third Showing

John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise showed he himself.

After these things; after showing himself to the disciples, breathing the Holy Ghost into them. After coming to Thomas and telling him to put his fingers in the wounds and to thrust his hand into the hole created by the Roman spear. One thought here. If Jesus were in a human body, it would be very painful to touch these wounds. He was in a risen body, of the same form, but without pain and sorrow. He was left in this form to prove who he was, yet death had no more hold on him. He had overcome mortality with immortality.

1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Jesus showed himself again at the sea of Tiberius, or the sea of Galilee.

John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus (the twin), and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
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.

John and James were the sons of Zebedee. In all there were seven men there, two were not named. They had returned to their vocation before they left all to follow Jesus. Had he made no change in their lives? Perhaps they were just doing something to keep their minds occupied and free from concerns. Maybe they were in need of food? They fished all night and caught nothing. Night time was the time to catch fish for them.

John 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

Children, he called. Jesus was only 33 at his death. He was probably not older than some of the disciples. But he was no longer the Jesus of age 33, but he existed with the ancient of days, his father God. He was as God the Father in authority.

John 21:6 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.

They had heard this command before, at their first calling by Jesus. Luke gives us this similar story.

Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Luke 5:2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
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.
Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
Luke 5:5 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.
Luke 5:6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Luke 5:7 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.
Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
Luke 5:9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
Luke 5:10 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.
Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Had they forgotten their first calling? Now they were being called again, from the man on the distant shore. They obeyed him and were rewarded with a full net of fish. Too many for one person to lift into the boat. If we obey Jesus, we are blessed. We must let him be Lord and master of our lives.

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.

John spoke to Peter, it is the Lord. This was not the first time Peter saw Jesus after the resurrection. He heard the testimony of Mary. He saw Jesus when he entered the disciples room and was filled with the Holy Spirit by Jesus' breath. He was in the room when Thomas believed in Him. Peter, always quick to respond. puts on his fisherman's coat and immediately jumps into the sea to swim to shore to be with him. The shame of nakedness was covered by the coat. The shame of denying him, was covered by the blood of Jesus. He was forgiven and swimming to God. It is sin that keeps us separate from God.

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.

Two boats were dragging the load of fish to shore, just as before.

John 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.

Where did the fish come from that were already laid on the fire? Don't ask, Jesus was able to get fish and bread. Remember the feeding of the 5000?

John 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.

OK, now lets see your catch. Was it there catch? Is our work our work, or is it given to us by the Lord? He gives us our abilities and he supplies the increase.

John 21:11 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.

The net was not broken this time, none were lost. As Jesus said to the father:

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus keeps only those chosen by the father for eternal life. Other fish will come up in our nets, that are not of the father. They will be cast away.

Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Those of the Lords, will dine with him and have fellowship with him.
John 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21:13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Peter who had failed Jesus, overcame by grace and the word of his testimony.

John 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

The third time as he was risen on the third day. Three in one God, there are three parts of man; body, soul and spirit. We are now one in fellowship with the three who come as one God: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Now come the callings of God, the obedience and the ministries for His glory.

Callings

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.

Jesus speaks to Peter, calling him Simon, the name he was called as a fisherman. Simon, do you love me more than these things? What things? Perhaps, fishing and catching fish? Here are uses of the word love. In the Greek there are several words for love, each with its own meaning. Jesus used the Greek word agapao, this is God's love for us. It is sacrificial giving of oneself to another. Simon responds, using the love word phileo, meaning brotherly affection. Jesus gives him a command: feed my Lambs. The good shepherd would be leaving. To John he gave the care of His mother, to Simon he gives the responsibility to teach the word, to testify of Jesus, to feed his 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.

Again, he repeats his words, using the same words and Simon responds with the same love word.

John 21:17 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.

Wow, God the Son repeats a third time to Peter. If we want to know if we are hearing from God, we can wait until it is confirmed three times. This time he said Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me, using the word Peter used, phileo. Do you love me with brotherly love? If so, again he said, feed my sheep. This must have been very important to Jesus, to have his sheep fed the word of faith. Simon responds with a phileo love and says you know I love you, but he never said yes, to feeding his sheep. Was he thinking of his fishing job again? We can underestand this: Jesus wants his sheep to be fed. He has made his will known. If we know his will, we are to do his will. If we do not, it is sin.

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.

Verily, verily, you better listen to this. When you are young, you can choose what you are going to wear, you might choose to wear the coat of a fisherman, but when you are old others will stretch forth your hands and carry you where you do not want to go. It is a tradition believed by many, that Peter was crucified upside down.

John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Follow Jesus, not your own will. Earlier Peter said that he wanted to follow him. Jesus said to him, you cannot follow me because I go to the cross.

John 13:36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
John 13:37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
John 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Now Jesus is risen, it is time for Peter to follow him, even unto death.

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?

Why does John mention this? To remind us that Judas had betrayed Jesus and what about Peter? Peter found forgiveness and restoration and is now again reminded of his calling. Perhaps he felt unworthy to be called, fearing he might fail again?

John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Peter probably overwhelmed by the masters words, sees John following. What about this man? This is a question many ask. Some make the mistake of following a friend too much. God has His own call for you. Not everyone is going in the same direction of ministry.

Why do some have so much suffering and others none? Why are some of the Lord's best servants on the death bed, while sinners seemingly prosper? Well, this is not heaven yet. God knows what he is doing. Perhaps he tests people to prove their faith. What would it take for you to deny the Lord? Peter had denied him three times, now he has work to do. He must feed the Lord's sheep with the life that remains.

John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

None of your business, Peter. You follow me and stop looking at my servant John. Some supposed Christians do nothing but question other Christians, finding fault with them. Stop, doing that, and YOU follow Jesus. This could be of the devil, the accuser.

Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

John 21:23 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?

False rumors, but history reports that John was boiled in oil and yet survived, being banished to the Isle of Patmos. The isle of Patmos is located in the Aegean Sea about thirty miles southwest of Miletus (Malta). It is approximately ten miles long and six miles wide. It consists mostly of volcanic hills and rocky ground. It was there that Jesus came to him speaking the book of Revelation.

John 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

John, places his signature to this gospel, written by inspiration of God.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

John 21:25 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.

The Holy Spirit reveals the hidden things of God.

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

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