The disciples were excited, scared, and confused, by the news of Jesus’ resurrection. With Jesus crucified, these men had lost their means of support. They had enjoyed the provision of the master for the last several years, but now that was over, and these men had to continue to survive. So, as they were staying together, Peter said, “I am going fishing.”
They stayed out fishing through the night but had not caught any fish. They probably laughed and remembered the time when Jesus suggested they cast their nets once more and almost sunk their boats with the catch. It was certainly a very clear memory to all.
Then, from the shore, a voice called out telling them to try tossing the nets one more time. They did and as they remembered from before, fish suddenly appeared in the shallows and filled the nets. John called to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Before the words could completely leave John’s mouth, Peter was out of the boat and swimming to shore!
The team gathered the 153 fish and came to shore. When they arrived, there was Jesus making breakfast. In reunion style, Jesus fed the guys loaves and fish. No one asked who Jesus was – they knew the Lord. Jesus encouraged them, still preparing them for what they had to do.
Then Jesus took Peter aside. Jesus knew Peter’s heart. He knew that Peter felt his life as a disciple was over. He denied the Lord and felt that there was no coming back. Jesus did not agree. Jesus asked Peter, “Peter, do you Love me as Your Lord?” Peter replied, “Jesus, you know I love you like a brother.” Jesus said,”Then tend my sheep.”
This happened three times. The third time, Jesus came to Peter’s level and asked if he loved Him like a brother? Peter, heartbroken replied, “You know I love you.” Then Jesus said, in effect, get back into the game. You have checked out and I need you back. Jesus was not scolding Peter. He knew this man would be great, and Jesus did what needed to be done to bring Him back.
Jesus’ agenda for the Apostles was one of restoration. He needed them to know He was still Jesus! He completed His mission and was now sending them out to complete theirs. In the years to come, all would face death for preaching the Gospel. History tells us even John was boiled in oil in the Rome Collusium, but it failed to kill him.
As John closed the story, he ended with the note that his gospel did not attempt to tell every miracle and great thing that Jesus did during their time together, for if it did there would not be enough books to contain it. It is the same in our lives. As we look at Jesus’ impact on us, there are countless times He intercedes, encourages, and becomes what we need so that like the disciples, we can face and complete the mission.
As with Peter, Jesus knows where we are and has no expectation that we are to be perfect. Instead, He meets us at that place and leads us to and through the journey that has been set in front of us to complete. All of our paths are unique, but they all lead to eternity with Jesus in Heaven. We need not check out because it did not go easily or perfectly. We must face each day focused on the countless ways the Lord has impacted us and then strive to impact others in the same way.
Happy Easter!
God Bless You
After these things Jesus [a]manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called [b]Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and 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 will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus *said to them, “Children, you do not have [c]any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about [d]one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
9 So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. 10 Jesus *said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus Provides
12 Jesus *said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus [e]was manifested to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you [f]love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [g]love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you [h]love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [i]love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [j]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you [k]love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I [l]love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep…
24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written.
Walking With God 