Fish And Fellowship

John 21:1-14

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 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 will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off . 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Notes

On the evening of the resurrection, the disciples hid behind locked doors. They were afraid. Suddenly, Jesus appeared among them. He spoke peace and showed them His wounds. Joy replaced their fear. He commissioned them and breathed on them, symbolizing the coming Holy Spirit. Thomas was not there. When told, he refused to believe. He demanded to see and touch Jesus’s wounds. Eight days later, Jesus appeared again. This time, Thomas was there. Jesus invited him to touch His wounds. Thomas fell before Him and declared, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus blessed those who believe without seeing. John then states his purpose for writing: that all may believe Jesus is the Son of God and have life in His name. Seven disciples went fishing but caught nothing all night. At dawn, a man on the shore told them to cast their net on the right side. They obeyed and caught much fish.

1. Fishing

   Simon Peter, with six other disciples, went fishing, but they caught nothing. Going fishing might be an act to fill the time or possibly a return to his former vocation. The resurrected Lord would appear once again to fellowship with them.

   
   1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 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 will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing (John 21:1-3).
   

   Application: Although we have to live a normal life. We need to work to contribute to our families or study so that one day, we can be responsible adults. However, there is nothing normal once we believe in the resurrected Christ. We can no longer ignore His Word and the mission to proclaim the gospel of forgiveness.

2. Provision

   The veteran fishermen caught no fish all night. At the break of dawn, a man advised them to throw the net on the right side, and then they caught many fish. The unnamed disciple recognized it was the Lord, which he told Peter. Peter then jumped into the water to meet the Lord.
   
   4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off (John 21:4-8).

   Application: Once the Father opens our eyes, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only response. Like Peter, we would rush towards Him, although not literally; we would rush to know Him through His word. Time with the Lord is something that we should value.

3. Fellowship

   After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus invites His disciples to a meal He has already prepared. The disciples do not question His identity because they all know it is Him. The Risen Lord gave them bread and fish, similar to feeding the five thousand.

   
   9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead (John 21:9-14).

   Application: We believe in the resurrection; there is no doubt about the disciples’ witness. It is written in His word, which we proclaim. Faith in Christ brings us to fellowship with Him, which we should treasure forever. Meditating on His Word and praying are two ways to enjoy His presence.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What happened when Peter and the disciples went fishing?

2. How did they catch so much fish?

3. What is the significance of the third appearance of the Risen Lord?