PM Home Bible Study Group; August 27, 2014
John 21:1-14
Theme: The story of our resurrected Lord’s appearances to His disciples affirms the trustworthiness of faith in their testimony.
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
If you were reading the Gospel of John for the first time, you might have thought that the story was brought to an effective close in John 20:30-31. The risen Lord Jesus would have appeared and presented Himself convincingly to the disciples; and the author of the Gospel would have told us that the Lord had done many other miracles not written in this book, but that what had been written was there so that we might believe and have life in His name. If it were a movie, the music would strike up and the credits would roll.
But just as is the case with movies nowadays, you need to stay in your seat and wait past the credits. Just when the music dies out and last of the credits fades from the screen, you find that there’s one more, ‘post-credits’ scene. Often, that last scene sums up the story in a creative and significant way, or it lets the movie-goer know that—in some way—the story really isn’t over. That’s what we find in John 21. Just when we thought things were over, the screen suddenly lights up with a fishing scene—with Peter as a main character. The story really isn’t over yet. In fact, there’s even the hint that there might be a sequel.
Why is this additional chapter here? Some have thought that it was added later on by someone else. But scholars tell us that there are no ancient copies of the text of John’s Gospel that do not have this story at the end. It may be here, as some have suggested, to tie up the loose ends of Peter’s story. He had, after all, denied the Lord and failed miserably; and it may be that John wanted to include the outcome of Peter’s story so as to explain the prominent place he plays later on in the Book of Acts. Some have suggested that John included it to help dispel the strange rumors he mentions about himself at the end of the chapter—that Peter would die but that John would not.
But it seems most likely that the story is included to show the greatness of our Lord’s grace to all those who fail Him. He is a wonderful Savior who gives His fallible servants another chance.
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In following along in the first division of this chapter, we see the steps that the apostle Peter went through in making his way back to the Lord Jesus—and finding the Lord’s grace abundantly waiting for him.
I. THE FRUSTRATION OF THE OLD WAYS (vv. 1-3).
A. John begins by saying, “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias [that is, the Sea of Galilee], and in this way He showed Himself . . .” The statement “after these things” refers, of course, to the story of our Lord’s first and second resurrection appearances to His disciples (see John 20:19-29). The first appearance was when the disciples were in hiding—without Thomas; and the second was with Thomas present. That’s why John closes this particular section in verse 14 by saying this present story is the third of His appearances after He was raised from the dead. In Luke 24:34, when the two from the road to Emmaus came to the other disciples, the disciples told them that the Lord was indeed risen, “and has appeared to Simon” (see also 1 Corinthians 15:5). It must be then that the Lord had already appeared to Peter in a private way before this event at the shore occurred. But even after that appearance, it seems that Peter undergo a time of personal wrestling. He seemed very unsure of what he should do. He had, after all, terribly denied the Lord; and in spite of the Lord’s appearance, he still seems to lack a certainty of his call. He seems to be a man out of place—to timid, because of his failures, to rededicate himself to the Lord’s place for him. He may have wondered how the Lord ever use someone like him again. How could he ever be restored? How could he ever be trusted?
B. John tells us this about seven of the disciples: “Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together” (v. 2). Simon was a fisherman. So were James and John—the sons of Zebedee. Nathanael, who we met way back in John 1—the ‘Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit’, as the Lord called him—was not one of the twelve; but it might be that because he was from the city of Peter and Andrew (John 1:44), that he was also in the fishing business. Perhaps Thomas and the other two unnamed disciples were fishermen, or perhaps they simply went along for the trip. In any case—in his restlessness of spirit—we’re told, “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We are going with you also’” (vv. 2-3a). It was what Peter knew; and because he was often ‘the leader of the pack’, they tended to follow his lead.
C. Was there an act of disobedience involved in this? Certainly there was no wrong in fishing in and of itself. But long ago, Jesus sat in Peter’s boat and told him, “From now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). We’re told that Peter got up on that very day and left his fishing business—’forsaking all’, we’re told. But now—perhaps feeling as if he had failed the Lord, and as if there was no hope for him to be the servant of the Lord he once was, he took up once again what he had long-ago forsaken. And what a frustrating step back it was! John tells us, “They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing” (v. 3b). Peter’s return to his old ways didn’t provide any satisfaction. But then, that wasn’t really the Lord’s place for him anyway. Before he had ever denied the Lord, Jesus told him, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Peter’s place was never again to be in the boat, chasing after fish. The Lord had called him to be a fisher of men; and even though he failed, that was still his place.
II. THE SUDDEN REMINDER OF PAST BLESSINGS (vv. 4-6).
A. What a wonderful ‘jolt’ it must have been to Peter when he was suddenly brought back from his old ways, and again reminded of the Lord’s call! After a night of fishing with nothing to show for it, we’re told, “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’ They answered Him, ‘No.’ 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” (vv. 4-6). In the story of the Lord’s post-resurrection appearances, we’re told that the Lord’s resurrected state made it possible for Him to suddenly appear in a room that had been locked. And when the two met Him on the road to Emmaus, their eyes were restrained in some way that they did not recognize Him as they walked along and talked with Him. There must have been some very remarkable things about the Lord in His resurrected condition that allowed Him to do such things; and His appearance on the shore must have been yet another such occasion. They did not know that it was Him. And yet, they very quickly knew from His works!
B. And remember—this was not the first time that Peter had a frustrating night of failing to catch fish. In his Gospel, Luke tells us of the time that the Lord used Peter’s boat as a preaching platform;
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him (Luke 5:4-11).
And think of it! Not only was this a time in which the Lord reminded Peter of how He had demonstrated Himself as ‘Lord over fish’ long ago; but it would have also reminded him of how the Lord hadn’t reject him back when he confessed, “I am a sinful man.” How Peter’s heart must have swelled with joy at the remembrance of the Lord’s grace! How the remembrance of that grace must have drawn his heart back to Jesus’ call for him! How good it is of the Lord to remind us at such times that He always loves and forgives us!
III. THE RESTLESS HEART THAT LONGS TO RETURN (vv. 7-8).
A. John—who was always inclined, it seems, to humbly veil his identity in this Gospel—tells of what he turned to say to Peter. “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” (v.7a). Perhaps Peter had been standing by in a state of shock; but once the realization sunk in, he wasted no time! “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.” (v. 7b). It wasn’t really necessary for Peter to dive in, of course. The boat could have brought him just as easily. In the next verse, we’re told, “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” (v. 8). But perhaps it was the impatience of the heart that longed to be restored that made him feel the boat was taking too long. Even before his denial, Peter could hardly stand any distance at all between himself and the Lord Jesus. And now, not even three hundred feet of water could stop him.
B. Could it be that Peter—though he was hesitant—really, deep down, knew the Lord well enough to know that he really would be welcomed and restored to service? He just needed to come. This makes us think of the wonderful promise of God in Isaiah 55:6-7;
Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).
That’s true of all who fail the Lord. He is the God who has abundant pardon waiting for all who will return to Him.
IV. THE JOYFUL DISCOVERY OF WAITING LOVE (vv. 9-14).
A. Then comes one of the most blessed scenes in all of the Gospel of John. It almost makes us sigh to read. We’re told, “Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish which you have just caught’” (vv. 9-10). We need to remember that not only had Peter denied the Lord; but all the others had also fled from Him at His arrest. They had all failed. But what a wonderful thing to discover! He was waiting for them; and He even had breakfast started in anticipation! We’re told, “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” (v. 11). Peter is often thought of as a rugged man; and perhaps the fact that he could drag a net of 153 large fish by himself up to the shore would confirm that impression. He didn’t even wait for the others to help. The Lord wanted fish; and Peter personally brought the whole net up the shore to Him! (Incidentally, isn’t it interesting that the Lord Jesus didn’t tell Peter, “Put all those fish back in the water. How dare you catch fish when I told you to catch men!” Peter went back to his old business; and even though the Lord was going to call him back out of it again, He allowed Peter to have a very profitable day’s catch! What grace!) John tells us, “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” (vv. 11-12).
B. Then something happened that must have been very significant to the minds of the disciples. John tells us, “Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish” (v. 13). Would this have made their minds go back to the time when the Lord fed a multitude with just a few loaves of bread and a few fish (John 6:1-14). If there had been any doubt that this was the resurrected Lord, perhaps this token act was enough to remove all question. John affirms to us, “This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead” (v. 14).
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And in closing, may we be forgiven a bit of symbolic liberty? Consider the net. We are told back in Luke 5 that Peter would be a fisher of men. Back then, he caught so many fish at the Lord’s command that the net began to break. Later on, he had failed and denied his Lord; and yet, when he cast his net out again at the Lord’s command, a great catch was taken in. And this time, we’re told, “the net was not broken”.
As a fisher of men, Peter wasn’t broken either. He went on to be the great preacher of the Lord Jesus that he had been called to be. He was a great fisher of men. You and I can be fishers of men too; and in spite of our failures, if we come back to Him, we can find abundant grace. It may be that we prove at times to be unfaithful, and will have to come back again and again to be restored. But by grace, it can be said of us that ‘the Lord’s net was not broken’.