John 21:1-19

Matt Summerfield reflects on the love of God and how this can shape our lives.

Matt Summerfield

'Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there-Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, "I'm going fishing." "We'll come, too," they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.' John 21:1-3

In John 20 we read the resurrection story. By the time we get to John 21 Jesus' disciples have seen Jesus repeatedly. Even doubting Thomas has fallen on his knees before Christ proclaiming 'My Lord and My God'.

Maybe the last encounter was just a day or so ago, or maybe a week; who knows. What is remarkable is that Peter and these disciples have fallen back on what they know; they're not pushing ahead with the mission of Christ; they've returned to life as it was before being called by Christ. Jesus Christ is alive and risen from the dead and they've returned to their past lives.

It's remarkable how easy it is to go backwards. How many times have you had an amazing encounter with God and you said to yourself that you'll never be the same again - you're moving ahead with Christ. You're going to keep growing and keep going. And then, before you know it, you find yourself going backwards; the passion is gone, enthusiasm is gone and following Jesus just seems too hard. So you return to life as you knew it. You feel like you go three steps forwards and two steps back.

Anyone ever feel like that?

Hold that thought. Let's read on.

'So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn't see who he was. He called out, "Fellows, have you caught any fish?" "No," they replied. Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get some!" So they did, and they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them-fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. "Bring some of the fish you've just caught," Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn't torn. "Now come and have some breakfast!" Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.' John 21:3-14

This is a wonderful moment where Jesus recreates an experience they had with him on the day he called them. Luke tells us the story in Luke 5. Peter and his partners have fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus joins them, gives them an instruction and before you know it, they have more fish than they can contain. Peter realises there is something special about Jesus and says, "Depart from me Jesus for I am a sinful man". To his surprise, Jesus replies by saying, "Depart from you? I want you to come with me. Join me. Follow me. Let's catch people for the Kingdom of God instead."

And here we are again - three years later - and it's happening again.

Empty nets become full at the sound of Jesus' voice and it's like Peter instinctively knows it's the Lord; I've been here before.

But let's read on.

'After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you." "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you." "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said. A third time he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go." Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me."' John 21:15-19

Remember as we read this, that this conversation is taking place by a charcoal fire. Don't miss what Jesus is doing here. Maybe just a week earlier Peter was by a fire on a cold night. The night he promised not to betray Jesus. The night he did betray Jesus - three times - as he warmed his hands against a fire in the temple courtyards. And in this grace-filled moment Jesus doesn't say to Peter:

What were you thinking?
I told you you'd deny me.
You've got some serious self-awareness issues going on.
Are you sorry for your actions?
Give me one good reason why I shouldn't take you off the team.