Jesus revealed the will of God by the things that he did. He read from the prophecy of Isaiah in Luke 4:18 and fulfilled it as he “went around doing good and healing” in Acts 10:38. Yet none of them expected to find the tomb empty, and now, Jesus is with them again, but somehow changed. He has revealed himself to them and still, they go back to fishing again. Jesus comes to find them where they are but not with any rebuke or correction, he cooks and serves them breakfast. What did Jesus have to say to them in these times? He said to Thomas, in John 20:27 “do not be unbelieving, but believing!”. And, he said to Peter in John 21:15-17 “feed my lambs … Shepherd my sheep … feed my sheep”. And as John concludes, he says in John 21:25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. And we can also say, as Paul did in 2 Corinthians 6:1–2 Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “At the acceptable time I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!
Do Not be Unbelieving, But Believing
John 20:24–29
By Believing You May Have Life in His Name
Jesus Revealed Himself Again
John 21:1–7
The disciples had gone to their own homes after seeing the empty tomb, what were they to do? So, Peter has an idea in
John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing!” They said to him, “We also are coming with you.” They went out and got into the boat, and during that night they caught nothing.
This had been their profession. This was something they knew. This was the way they had made their living before they met Jesus. But now, it seemed fruitless. Then, from the shore came a question in
John 21:5–6 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish to eat, do you? They answered him, “No.” 6 And he said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they threw it, and were no longer able to haul it in from the large number of the fish.
Suddenly they recognize him. It is Jesus. And Peter, always passionate and always reactive, “threw himself into the sea” in John 21:7.
Come, Eat Breakfast
John 21:8–14
As the disciples came to land with their net full of fish, they found that Jesus had begun preparing breakfast for them in
John 21:9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire laid there, and a fish lying on it, and bread.
Jesus had “a fish” and could just as easily had enough fish for all of them, but we are always active participants together in this relationship with God and in
John 21:10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just now caught.”
Jesus might have used this time to tell them how to organize or to give them specific instructions about how to begin as they headed back to Jerusalem or to set one of them as the leader or, as we would do today, to set one of them as the Pastor, but he didn’t do any of this. What he said was in
John 21:12–13 Jesus said to them, “Come, eat breakfast!” But none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
Jesus cooked and served them breakfast. And after they had eaten, Jesus spoke personally to Peter. And, it seems they were walking on the beach talking privately because “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them” in John 21:20.
Feed My Sheep
There Are Many Other Things That Jesus Did
John 21:20–25
As Peter is talking privately with Jesus, he notices John following and begins to ask about him in
John 21:21 So when he saw this one, Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, but what about this one?”
Jesus has just spoken directly to Peter about his life saying “feed my lambs … Shepherd my sheep … feed my sheep” in John 21:15-17 but as soon as Peter begins talking about John, Jesus shuts him down in
John 21:22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
We all have our part to play in God’s kingdom, but it is our personal relationship with him. It isn’t for us to question or compare or judge what others are doing. Are we doing what he asked of us?
John’s gospel closes with these words in
John 21:25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did, which—if they were written down one after the other—I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.
and how many more “other things” have happened in the years since, and are still happening today. Every person that comes to Jesus Christ has their own testimony of transformation, of their experiences of life in the joy of our salvation.
Study Verses
- John 21:1–7 Jesus Revealed Himself Again
- John 21:8–14 Come, Eat Breakfast
- John 21:20–23 There Are Many Other Things That Jesus Did
Today’s Reading
- John 20:24-31
- John 21:1-25