John 21
Jesus appears to
seven followers (v 1-14)
This chapter begs a question – why have the disciples gone
back to fishing after Jesus has commissioned them? We would expect them to be
going out and spreading the Good News, as Jesus had told them to do, but
instead they have gone back to how they were before they met Jesus. However, we
also have to take into consideration the fact that the disciples have just been
on a roller-coaster of emotion. Jesus, not only their best friend, but their
Lord and Saviour was sentenced to a horrific death on the cross, before he rose
again three days later. Casual. The disciples were probably all a bit dazed, a
bit overwhelmed and unable to decide what to do next. It’s understandable that
they chose to return to somewhere familiar where they could reflect on what had
just happened. They head back to the lake and Peter decides that he is going to
go fishing, and the others follow. Everyone has to eat after all! And this is
where Jesus appears to them. This is a reflection of his character. When we are confused or stuck or overwhelmed,
God comes and meets us where we are. We don’t have to put on an act or change
into our Sunday best to encounter Jesus. He finds us, just as we are. It says
on one commentary I read “Here is the simple truth, that when we are uncertain
what to do we should simply do our duty and God will guide.”
The disciples have, up until this point, been largely
unsuccessful at catching any fish. When Jesus appears, he calls to them “throw
your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some”. This isn't a
suggestion or an idea, it’s a promise. Throw your net to the other side and you
will find fish. Jesus continues to make promises to us today. Follow me
and I will lead you through my plan. Find refuge in me and I will give you
peace. Apologise for what you've done wrong and I will forgive you. Jesus
always fulfills his word and it always works out for our good.
The disciples decide to obey what Jesus has told them. They
catch so many fish they can barely haul the net back into the boat. When the disciples
worked alone, relying only on human strength, they came back empty handed and
discouraged. But when they listened to Jesus, they received abundantly, their
nets full to bursting. Their work was fruitful beyond what they could imagine. This
points to a very important lesson of being a follower of Jesus – without Him,
we can do nothing. Earlier in chapter 15:5, Jesus tells the people “I am the
vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear
much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. We should seek God’s guidance in
everything we do and carry out his work. The idea that without God, we can do
nothing, might be taken a tad negatively. So if I try something alone, it will
be rubbish? But remember Jesus’ promise in Matthew 19:26 “with God all things
are possible.” If we work alongside God we will be able to do so much more and
he will reveal things to us that we never would have discovered alone. With the
promise of fruitful labour and endless possibility – why would we choose not to
work with Him? Following God’s plan seems so much more exciting than remaining
within our human limitations.
When the disciples reach the shore, there is already fish
cooking on hot coals and bread for them to eat. Jesus has prepared breakfast
for them, showing us the character of God. He is not just a big, powerful God
who orders us around and shoots down lightning bolts. He is so much more, he is
caring and servant-hearted (remember when he got down and washed his disciples’
feet?). He is also our provider, all we have has been given to us by God. If he
cares for the birds that are worth no more than a penny, we can be sure that he
cares for us abundantly. His provision is always enough. Another quote about
the passage I like is “Jesus now appears to another partial gathering of the
group, an appearance that reveals the same key characteristics as we manifested
throughout the ministry, namely his lordship, his servant hood, his character
as gracious giver of abundance and his love. He has met his disciples at a point
of failure and revealed himself as the awesome Lord of creation who cares for
them.” (Bible Gateway)
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