By Pastor Shana Wise
WCM Discipleship Series
John 21:1-23
After these things, Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way, He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”6 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. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 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. 8 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. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 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. 12 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. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third-time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
After Jesus died and resurrected, some of the disciples went back to doing what they were doing before they met Jesus. The comfort and familiarity of their profession was where their focus was, not continuing on in the ministry that they had been doing for the past three years.
This was a déjà vu experience because this scenario had already played itself out in Matthew 4:18-22 when Jesus first called these men to be disciples. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to them but they were still not getting the full scope of his resurrection.
Like the disciples, we are still learning and being impacted by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even after we have professed him as Lord, the revelation is still continuing until the day we die. Jesus is still teaching us through his Holy Spirit through our everyday activities of life. After Jesus died the disciples went back to what was comfortable and familiar to them-fishing. Jesus had already told them that he would make them fishers of men but they preferred to fish for fish.
When we accept Christ as of Lord and Savior, he also has a specific ministry for us, but true ministry requires us to get out of our comfort zone. For some of us, the resurrection has not fully impacted every area of our lives because we prefer comfort and the familiar rather than trusting God 100% at his word. Jesus does not expect us to be somebody that we are not. The skills and gifts that he gave the disciples were fishing skills. Jesus plan and purpose for all of us to is use what he has already gifted us with to be use to glorify God and bring others into the Kingdom.
Once again, Jesus performed a miracle before they recognized it was truly him. Are we able to recognize God only when he performs miracles in our lives or can we see him outside of miracles?
Comfort zones, familiar places and people, and not truly letting go and letting God; will cause us to because numb to the impact of the resurrection that should happen every day in our lives.
The disciples chose to regress, the resurrection was designed to help all of us excel and move forward in Christ and everything that he has called us to be.
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
Exert from New Living Translation commentary footnotes:
Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. The first time Jesus said do you love (Greek agape: volitional, self-sacrificial love) me more than these? The second time, Jesus focused on Peter alone and still used the word translated into Greek, agape. The third time, Jesus used the word translated into Greek, phileo (signifying affection, affinity, or brotherly love) and asked, in effect, “Are you even my friend?’’ Each time Peter responded with the word translated into Greek as phileo. He has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. Peter had to face his true feelings and motives when Jesus confronted him. How would you respond if Jesus asked you, “Do you love me?” Do you really love Jesus? Are you even his friend?
Jesus dealt with Peter first because he was the disciple that carried the most influence but he also had issues (like we all do). (Break down Peter’s character throughout the gospels).
Even though Peter denied Jesus three times in the hours before Jesus’ death, Jesus still wanted Peter to fulfil the purpose he called him to do- “feed my sheep”. Jesus told Peter if you love me then do what I tell you to do-the same message that he is telling us today. Jesus already knows about our issue’s and flaw, but that does not stop his will for our lives. The resurrection represents restoration and God’s love toward us. There is nothing we can do to stop God’s love. Peter denied Jesus three times but that did not stop Jesus from loving him with an everlasting love.
Lastly, Jesus told Peter how he was going to die, and instead understanding it, he chose to focus on the other disciple John. Once again, one of Peter’s “issues” was rising up in him again. He wanted John to suffer like him. Perhaps, there was some confusion or strife going on, still, between the disciples. Whatever it was, Jesus had to get Peter back on focus.
The lesson that we can learn from this passage is that even after restoration, we still live in flesh and we still sin. However, Jesus does not expect us to be perfect, he does expect for us to follow him. As we continue to follow Jesus, the sin that we do, we should not want to do anymore, because the more we know him, the more we will grow in him and become more of what he created us to be.
Like Peter and the other disciples, we all have our own issues, but just like God chose them, he has also chosen us for a purpose. Give your life to Jesus today and experience the power of the resurrection in every area of your life!
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotional, Acts of Intercession, The Impact of Your Election, and co-author of Basic Ministry Training Manual (available on Amazon) and Chief Women Arise. She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets. Shana is married to Deacon Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
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Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
Basic Ministry Training Manual
Chief Women Arise
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