Summary of passage: While on an unsuccessful fishing trip, the disciples saw Jesus again. He told them where to cast their net for fish. John recognizes Jesus and impulsive Peter swims to him. They all have a fish bake for breakfast on the shore, celebrating the 3rd time Jesus appeared to them.
Questions:
3) John recognizes Jesus. Peter is impulsive and enthusiastic. Peter perhaps doesn’t want John to beat him again to Jesus like at the tomb so he throws himself overboard. Or perhaps he thought he’d walk on water. Peter is competitive. Jesus’ power is unlimited and he uses it for specific purposes–here to encourage and fellowship.
4) Part personal Question. My answer: Jesus shows up when the disciples are discouraged on an unsuccessful fishing trip. He provides them food when they need it. Jesus meets their every day needs daily. All of them do. Jesus is there always in my little moments, which frequently are the moments I need him most. He provides. He encourages. He walks with me and has breakfast and coffee! Great stuff!
5) Personal Question. My answer: Encourages me to always seek and ask him.
Conclusions: I love this fish bake! Jesus is amazing, isn’t he? He cares about us in the daily struggles of life as much as he cares about our spiritual health. He encourages us when we are discouraged and seeks to fellowship with us. Jesus can have a cup of coffee with you. Make a cup and open his word and he’ll speak!
This is my favorite scene in the whole book of John. You can just see the enthusiasm of Peter as he jumps in the sea to swim to his Lord. He’s gotta be on cloud 9. This is a moment of pure pleasure and relaxation for all of them as they refuel in preparation for a hard road ahead. I love how Jesus gives us these moments in our lives of pure fun to recharge before the grind of His work. All are sitting around the fire, enjoying an incredible meal in fellowship. Encouraging one another. Laughing. Having a good time. Telling stories. Great, great life stuff!
End Notes: Now the disciples are back in Galilee near the Sea of Tiberias. Peter’s name is listed first again amongst the 7 disciples there. 2 were unnamed and scholars say these represent the majority of the saints whose works do go unrecognized except by Jesus.
Jesus told them to return to Galilee in Matthew 28:7, 10. Previously, the disciples had their food provided for them by donors of followers of Jesus. Now, they must return to their previous occupation to earn a living. This could also show their uncertainty as to their next move so they retreated to what they knew best (fishing) while awaiting clarity from prayer.
Perhaps it was hard to see Jesus on the shore so they didn’t recognize him. It could have been foggy or too far.
“Friends” would better be translated “lads”. The Greek word is a common greeting.
Jesus’ request was small and strange but still a test of faith in stranger’s fishing advice. He rewards workers.
This story shows us the results of activity with Divine guidance and without.
The word for garment is the only time it appears in the New Testament. Jews regarded a greeting as a religious act that could be done only when one was clothed. Peter was preparing himself to greet the Lord.
Jesus is a servant again, having food already prepared for his disciples. Peter drags up a net probably weighing close to 300 pounds by himself, the exactitude of the numbers is eyewitness detail.
Scholars have debated what the number 153 means. However, it’s just a number. Be wary of those trying to find hidden meanings in God’s word.
Jesus probably appeared different since John writes how none questioned Jesus’ identity. Perhaps his scars never went away. Jesus eats with them and fellowships with them.
This is the 3rd time John has recorded Jesus’ appearance after the resurrection to the group of disciples–not the 3rd time in order Jesus has appeared.
The Apostle Peter (taken from Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary by JD Douglas and Merrill C Tenney): “The personality of Peter is one of the most vividly drawn and charming in the New Testament. His sheer humanness has made him one of the most beloved and winsome members of the apostolic band. He was eager, impulsive, energetic, self-confident, aggressive, and daring, but also unstable, fickle, weak, and cowardly. He was guided more by quick impulse than logical reasoning, and he readily swayed from one extreme to the other. He was preeminently a man of action. His life exhibits the defects of his character as well as his tremendous capacities for good. He was forward and often rash, liable to instability and inconsistency, but his love for and associations with Christ molded him into a man of stability, humility, and courageous service for God. In the power of the Holy Spirit eh became one of the noble pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).”
And to think: Jesus chose one such as him. And he chose one such as you and I. Despite our character flaws, God has great plans for us. We merely have to believe in ourselves and in our Lord. We can’t do it on our own. Only God can.
Peter recedes into the background after Jesus’ resurrection, almost unheard of until his letters from Rome. Tradition asserts that Peter went to Rome, labored there and was crucified there under the Emperor Nero.
