Post-Resurrection Fishing Trip John 21:1-25

The Fishing Trip (John 21:3-8)

The Fishing Trip (21:3-8) After Jesus appeared to his disciples, there was a period of time where Jesus was gone. During this time of silence, the disciples returned to fishing. Fishermen always fished at night so that the fish could not see the net they used to catch them. The disciples caught nothing all night though. Jesus showed up the next morning and told them to throw out their nets in the daylight. They caught 153 fish! The disciples went back to their old life trying to be successful; but success only comes when Jesus has blessed and empowered us. (“Apart from me, you can do nothing.”)

“Words in Greek meaning Love” Agape: self-sacrificial love Phileo: friendship for strong affection Stergo – family love between parent and child Eros: love between husband and wife (sexual love)

“Love” On the beach, Jesus was waiting for his disciples with a fire and breakfast. Here he would personally restore Peter and remove his guilt... The Question: Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, do you love me?” Simon: This was Peter’s old name before he met Jesus. Jesus was reminding Peter that he was not being the “rock” that Jesus called him to be and that he had to earn the right to be called “Peter” again. Love: Jesus uses the word “agape” here...this is the “self- sacrificial” love. He was asking Peter, “Would you lay down your life for me?

“Love” continued... The Answer: Peter answered Jesus 3 times saying, “Yes Lord. You know that I love you.” Love: Peter did not use “agape” when he said he loved Jesus. He used “phileo” meaning “friendship, or strong affection.” He was too ashamed to claim that he could possible love Jesus “self-sacrificially.” Jesus’ Final Question: “Simon, do you phileo me?” Jesus finally asked Peter, “Do you even love me like a friend?” This is why Peter was so grieved.

Christ’s Commands After humbling Peter, Christ restored Peter’s responsibilities and trust to him. Jesus followed each of his questions to Peter with a simple command: V.15- “Feed the little lambs.” This meant that Peter was to provide spiritual food to new believers. V.16- “Feed the little sheep.” V.17- “Feed the larger sheep.” These last 2 commands meant that Peter was to guard the flock of “true sheep” like a shepherd. Jesus trusted Peter with His people. As an old man, Peter said the same thing to young pastors that Jesus said to him (1 Pet. 5:2)

Christ’s Prediction In verses 18-19, Jesus told Peter how his death would go in a somewhat general sense. He told Peter he would die as an old man, but that men would carry him to his death. Tradition teaches that Peter was crucified upside- down because he felt unworthy to be crucified in the same way as his Lord. Peter asked Jesus about John’s death in v. 20-22. Jesus simply told him not to worry about John, but to be faithful to his own commitment to Jesus. You and I would be wise to do the same!

Application Jesus had already done this miracle in the lives of his disciples 3 years ago. Back then, he was in the boat with them. This time, he is standing on the shore. The disciples were having a hard time understanding that they would no longer have Jesus’ bodily presence with them. Just because we don’t have his body here though, doesn’t mean we don’t still have his guidance. Today Jesus still guides us, not from “the boat” (earth), but from “the shore” (Heaven).