God's Mission In
John 21:1-19
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
~ John 21:17
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as 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.
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. 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 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat 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.
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Pondering Point
Despite Peter’s recent letdowns as a follower of Jesus (such as his denials of Jesus and wielding the sword inappropriately), Jesus assigns a ministry role for Peter. He is given God-ordained work to bless others: "Feed my sheep".
It is not a stretch to anticipate Jesus would restore other disciples too – like you and I. It is one more facet of forgiveness. Don’t let past failures discount you. God still counts you in. And remember, you don’t need a title to serve, just a calling from God:
“I am a disciple of Jesus serving in work that glorifies the Father.”
Prayer
Father God, as You worked with Peter, work with me. As You assigned him a role of service for Your people, assign me. As You helped him grow into that role through faith and life, help me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Group Connections:
A Disciple's Lifestyle
Micro-Group Moment:
Considering Apostle Peter's life as a case for participating in Micro-Groups
Luke 5:3
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
Pondering Point
Do you find it odd that Jesus steps into someone else’s boat and give orders to those on board? It helps to imagine Jesus and Peter already acquainted. John 1:35-42 covers Peter’s introduction to Jesus, a future Micro-Group leader and friend. Read it and then, with a few friends, consider these questions:
- Who introduces Andrew to Jesus and what’s their connection?
- How might you describe the type of Micro-Group this come-to-Jesus moment arose out of?
- Who introduces Peter to Jesus and what is their connection?
- Within which type of Micro-Group did this come-to-Jesus moment arise from? (i.e. – marital, birth family, work, hobby, etc.)
Thing to appreciate about Micro-Group/Small-Group in the life of Apostle Peter
God can use previously existing partnerships/friendships to build spiritually-based Micro-Groups that He desires (fellowship).