In our studies of the previous weeks, beginning with Resurrection Sunday, we saw that the first persons to experience the resurrected Jesus were the faithful women who were at the tomb early that Sunday morning. In the Gospel of Luke chapter 24, we studied how the love of Jesus was displayed to the two disciples in their time of disappointment, discouragement and confusion on the road to Emmaus. Last week we studied about the importance of the characteristics of the resurrected body of Jesus.
As recorded in the gospels, there are many important events that transpired in this forty-day period, starting with the day of Jesus’ resurrection and ending with His ascension to heaven, (Acts 1:9, After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.).
Sometime during this period of forty days, Jesus appears to seven of His disciples on the shore of sea of Galilee. This account, as it is titled in some of our Bibles is, “Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish”.
The apostle John is the only one who records this event in his gospel, John 21:1-14. In this portion of scripture John states an important point in verse 14, “This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” We must understand this verse exclusively in the context of John’s gospel. Yes, there were additional appearances of Jesus to others when we take into account what was stated in the other three gospels. The first appearance of Jesus after His resurrection to His disciples as recorded in John’s gospel is in John 20:19 and the second appearance in verse 26 of this same chapter.
What is the significance of Jesus’ third appearance to these disciples? How does this apply to our relationship with Him? We will answer these questions as we progress in our study.
All Night Fishing With Friends With No Results
John 21:1-3
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Some Bible commentators and teachers have said that the seven who went fishing were disheartened and disappointed about the events that had transpired concerning Jesus’ death and resurrection and this is the reason we find them fishing. This might be so; however, this is not stated in any verse of our Bibles. Instead, our scriptures do tell us why they were in Galilee. Starting in Matthew 28:1, After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. As we continue reading, we see that these two women are instructed by the Angel to do the following. Matthew 28:7, Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Mark, in his gospel, also states that the women received these same instructions from the angel in Mark 16:7. In the next three verses, Matthew 28:8-10 the two women also receive instructions from the resurrected Jesus of what to tell the others. 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
When we read this next portion of scripture it is clear that there were others who also went to Galilee who were not one of the eleven apostles. We see in verse two, three of those who went fishing were apostles they were, “Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), and the sons of Zebedee”, who were John and his brother James. Nathanael from Cana in Galilee as we see in John 1:45-49 was Philip’s friend. The last two disciples are not named, “and two other disciples were together.”
We do not know how long the disciples were waiting for Jesus in Galilee, but it is clear by where we find them, they were obedient to go where Jesus told them to be. It is quite possible that the reason we find them fishing was because they needed something to do while waiting for Jesus. This could be the reason why Peter told them and the other followed. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” As previously stated, some Bible teachers and commentators believe that Peter was in disobedience to Jesus’ command to go to Galilee when he went fishing. If this is true, then the apostles John and his brother James would be just as guilty as Peter. However, there is another possibility why Peter and the others went fishing.
We need to remember as we see in verse 2 that Peter and “the sons of Zebedee”, who were John and his brother James, were professional fishermen before Jesus called then to follow Him. Matthew 4:18, As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Matthew 4:21, Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. It is totally reasonable to believe while waiting for Jesus, Peter and the others would go out and do what they knew how to do well and enjoyed, which was fishing.
In verse 3b John makes an important comment that has a lot of significance for experienced fishermen that many of us might not notice. “So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” It can be extremely disappointing and frustrating to be fishing all night and not catch any fish especially to three experienced fishermen like Peter, John and his brother James.
In addition, as we see in the next verses God had a reason for this happening. This one sentence (verse 3b) teaches us a very important point. There will be events in our lives that God allows things to happen or not happen as we think it should, which allows Him to do things in that situation that we would never expect. It also puts us in a position to either trust and act on what God is telling us to do or trust our logic based on previous experience.
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
John 21:4-8
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
The first thing we see in these verses, as Jesus told them in the past He would meet them in Galilee, however not when and not in the way they probably expected. This is also very true for us, we need to be careful to not let our expectations of when and how God will work in a situation that we are confronting. This can be a hindrance for us to experience His presence, His power and provision in our moment of need.
There are many opinions by Bible commentators and teachers of why all the seven in the boat immediately did not recognize Jesus. We read that they were close enough to the shore to see and hear Jesus call out to them asking “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”, and they were close enough to answer, “No”.
We need to always remember when confronting any situation. We might be in continual prayer and reading God’s word seeking His will, but are we recognizing His voice when He speaks to us? How much time do we spend in prayer and in reading His word to be able to recognize God’s voice when He is speaking to us?
When Jesus told them to “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (ver.6a). Why did the ex-professional fishermen Peter, John and James comply so easily? We could possibly give many reasons why they complied. However, how many of us in that situation would do it because of being tired, hungry and frustrated from working all night with no results? Would we do it just to show this guy on the shore that we know how to fish and have been trying to catch fish all night without any success, and we know by throwing the net at this time of the day will not have any results?
We continue to read in this verse what happened when they immediately obeyed, “When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” (ver. 6b). In those frustrating times we encounter, God, on some occasions, will tell us to do something that goes against all logic and experience, popular opinion and tradition. All we have to do is to trust what He tells us to do and or what to say and just obey, and we will see the abundance of the unexpected results as the seven did early that morning.
In all the accounts where John, the author of this gospel, was present and was referring to himself in the story, he always does it in the third person, never naming himself as he does in this verse. 7a “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved…”
As some believe Peter went fishing because he was discouraged, heartbroken and or wanting to distance himself from the resurrected Jesus because of his denial, Matthew 26:34, “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” If this is true, then why would he respond the way he did to what John said as we read, he did in verse 7? “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.”
John, from his prospective as a former professional fisherman in verse eight, gives us some details that provides for us with a better understanding of the miracle that happened. As he said in verse 6, “…they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” It is normal to haul into the boat the catch of fish in your net in order not to lose any, but this was impossible. John, in verse eight, tells us what they had to do instead. “The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.” One of many points we can learn from this verse is, because of our situation, God’s provision to us in answer to our prayers, many times will be more than we ask or even need. Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”. However, even though God answers our prayers in the unique and abundant way He does, there is still our part or involvement that still needs to be done. We see this in verse 8, the others in the boat had to tow the net full of fish about one-hundred yards to shore.
In addition, in verse eleven we again see John’s professional insight to another aspect to this miracle. He tells us that Peter also helped to bring the net full of fish ashore. John tells us that there were 153 fish in the net and that they were “large fish”, which under any other circumstance the net would have torn because of the weight, but it did not. “Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.”
Next week in part 2 of our study, Breakfast on the beach with Jesus, John 21:9-14 we will see the expression of the love of Jesus for the seven who went fishing that night. And Jesus’ Commission To Peter, John 21:15-17.
Pastor John
Restoration
noun
the act of granting authority to undertake certain functions
verb
charged with a task
Breakfast on the beach with Jesus
John 21:9-14
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
From the love of Jesus 4-27-21
SLIDE 12
- In the account of the “Miraculous Catch of Fish”, John 21:6-8, John does not tell us what the reasons were of Jesus showing up on the beach one hundred yards from the exact location where the disciples were fishing off shore.
- But Jesus’ conversation with the disciples tells us a lot.
John 21:6
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
- We need to be very careful not to spiritualize and add to the scripture what was not written.
- Some Bible commentators and preachers like to inject their theories concerning why the disciples went fishing.
- Some also put symbolisms or allegories to why Jesus told the unsuccessful fishermen to throw the net on the right side of the boat and not the left side.
- Some will even try to put a spiritual significance to the one hundred and fifty-three large fish and why the net did not break.
- One of the most intimate expressions of love of Jesus with His disciples that we can read about, was when He prepared and served breakfast to them on the beach.
- Reading this should motivate us to ask many questions about the intentions or heart of Jesus and His expression of His Love for them.
- Yes, the disciples were hungry and discouraged after a hard and unproductive night of trying to catch some fish.
- We have all heard the cliché, “Actions speak louder than words.”
SLIDE 13
Important Questions
- So, what does Jesus’ actions teach us about His love for the disciples by going to the very location where they were fishing early in that morning?
- What were Jesus’ intentions for the tired and hungry disciples by having breakfast waiting for them on the beach?
SLIDE 14
- In this portion of scripture, asking questions and learning about what Jesus did can be interesting and of some importance.
- But first what we always need to remember is to ask questions about the expression of love and purpose of Jesus towards disciples.
- Important Questions we should ask;
- How can I recognize Jesus’ love in my relationship with Him by what He says to me and what He does for me?
- What can I learn about Jesus’ love, and His intentions that motivated His actions?
- How can I experience Jesus’ love in my life as did His disciples that morning on the beach?
SLIDE 15
- The apostle Paul summarizes about the love of Jesus we all need to “understand” and experience in our relationship with Jesus when prayerfully reading John’s account of the miraculous catch of fish and Jesus preparing breakfast on the beach.
- Experiencing God’s love in our lives.
Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
SLIDE 16
18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
