An Expository Study of John’s Gospel
CHAPTER 21
Scripture Reading: John 21 (KJV)
MANIFESTATION OF THE SON OF GOD IN RESURRECTION POWER & GLORY
Read vs. 1-17
John was the “beloved disciple.” He is known as the apostle of love. In this, his Epilogue, John records the restoration of Cephas (Simon Peter) and how Jesus corrects the misunderstandings of His return. John records intimate, down-to-earth insights into human nature.
Fishermen
Fishing at night was familiar to seamen working the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). With torches they stood ready with the net as the boat glided silently over the sea. When movement indicated a school, nets flew and spears pierced the water. Peter invited some of his fellow disciples to fish; Thomas, Nathanael, James and John, his brother, and two unidentified disciples. They fished all night, catching nothing. When Peter was converted by Jesus, he also had fished all night with Andrew, James and John; they had the same disappointing result (Luke 5). Often one standing on shore can see a school of fish better than those on the boat. They were probably about a hundred yards off shore. Somehow the disciples sensed that the solitary figure on shore was the risen Christ. This was the third post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to His disciples. “Have you any meat” or “have you caught any fish” was the Lord’s inquiry. They answered, “No.” “Cast the net on the right side and you will find fish”, Jesus instructed. Was the locating of fish because of the keen eyes of Jesus, sensing the presence of fish or was it by Divine intervention? No one knows. The nets were cast and the heavy draught of fish (153 large fish) so filled the nets that the sheer weight could not be lifted and the net had to be dragged to shore.
The Good Fisherman
John said, “It is the Lord” and Simon, without asking permission this time, cast himself into the sea. If he could not walk on the water, he would swim the short distance; the disciples followed with their net full of fish. Of all the “I Am’s” of Christ, perhaps one more could be added, “I am the Good Fisherman.”
Historic occasion
Soon began the quietest breakfast on record. The coals, the fire, the fish, the bread; Oh, yes, the table was set.
Jesus wants more fish, so good ole, strong Simon drags the net full of fish to shore. Jesus says, “Come and dine [eat].” Eating with the Master: this same Jesus Who was flogged, mocked, and impaled on a cross; this Jesus Who, when dead, was carefully prepared, anointed and gently laid in the new tomb of Joseph; this Jesus whose tomb was sealed by the Roman Governor, a battery of elite Roman guards placed at the tomb around the clock; this Jesus, Who was resurrected and appeared to the woman, Mary; this Jesus Who appeared to His disciples as they met in fear and confusion in the upper room. This same Jesus now cooks breakfast and invites His disciples to dine with Him. What an historic occasion.
Love
How long they ate in silence the Scriptures do not say, but when breakfast was over, Jesus says to the one disciple who needed comfort and forgiveness, “Simon, Son of Jonas, do you love Me?” A few days before, this disciple had publicly sworn with an oath, “I don’t know the Man.” Jesus uses the Greek verb for love, “agapa” – suggesting a love involving deliberateness of choice, to love. Simon’s answer is immediate, “Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.” But, Simon used another Greek verb for Love, “phile” – a love involving personal affection, to be a friend.1 Jesus wanted Simon to love as God loves, but Simon answered with a milder term of brotherly love or affection. Jesus then said, “Feed My lambs.”
Love, more than these
When Jesus says, “Do you love Me more than these”, He probably referred to the disciples in view of the proud statement of Peter, “If all forsake you, I will never . . . I will die with you.”2 Jesus’ threefold question and threefold commission to feed lambs, sheep, and flock is surely a counter balance to Simon’s threefold denial of his love and relationship to Christ.3 Consider how Simon, the disciple who so grievously sinned by denying the Lord, is treated by Jesus.
Third time
The Lord now says to Simon, for a third time, “Simon, son of Jonas [John], lovest thou Me?” This time Jesus condescends to the love-level of Simon and uses the Greek verb, “phile.” Simon was troubled and grieved because the Lord asked him about his love for the third time. God’s grace and loving forgiveness, that restored Simon, must be disturbing and impressive.
Illustration
Consider elders, shepherds, or pastors of the church of our Lord. If Jesus asked them, “Do you love Me?” they would all no doubt declare, “You know we love you, Lord.” Feeding lambs, feeding sheep, tending to the flock of God as shepherds, means that shepherds must love God, not sheep. Some sheep are not loveable, but are stubborn, indifferent, and often rebellious. If you, like Simon, are commissioned to lead the church of our Lord, you must love God and put Him first. Loving some sheep is like “kissing a skunk.” A higher motive than simply being “liked” or “accepted” by men must inspire your leadership. Men seeking power, prestige, and honor need not apply. Men desiring authority, control and manipulation are failures in the starting gate. As then, so today, Jesus seeks men of service.
Read vs. 18-19
According to legend, Simon Peter was crucified by the Romans. No information is given in the Word of God, except here when Jesus foretells Simon’s death. Where will you be when death comes for you? What will be your last word, thought or deed? Simon would later write about surviving, overcoming and trials, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10). Read 1st & 2nd Peter and you will see why he is called the “apostle of hope.” Legend says Peter objected to being crucified like Jesus, so they crucified him head downward. The prophecy of Jesus came to pass. The next time you think about the weakness of Simon, reflect on the legend of his death and the marvelous faith of an old fisherman. The final words of Christ to Simon must have been piercing and dynamic – “Follow Me.”
Read vs. 20-23
Of all the apostles, most of us love Simon best. He is so much like most of us. On occasion, perhaps, Jesus may have been tempted to say, “Hush, Simon, hush.” Such as: when Christ confronted Simon on the sea (Luke 5); when Simon spoke out of turn on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17); when Jesus called him “Satan” (Matt. 16:21-23); and when Simon boasted of his faith only later to deny Him three times. Jesus would have preferred that Simon “hold his Tongue.”
Out of turn again
Simon, true to his nature, once again speaks out of turn, “Peter seeing him [evidently John] saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” The answer Jesus gives comes close to saying, “Simon, I have said hush to you so many times, I am losing patience.” The Lord said, “If I will that he tarry [live] until I come, what is that to thee.” We might say, “It’s none of your business, Simon – just follow Jesus.” What a powerful human lesson for us. We do not belong to each other, we belong to Christ. He is our Master and He gives different measures of faith (Rom. 12:3). What greater admonition could any of us receive than that found in the two simple words of Christ – “Follow Me.”
Conclusion
The Gospels record thirty-five to forty days of the Lord’s life, giving us only a small sampling of what Jesus actually did. When the Lord raised Lazarus from the dead, He called him by name. Why? No doubt because He did not want the whole cemetery “coming up.” “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen”. John also wrote, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written [a select few], that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31).
