Month: October 2024

John 21:9-14

Here John told us that when the disciples came to shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread (v.9). Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught” (v.10). He was purposefully and miraculously cooking fish and bread on a charcoal fire. Because the disciples trusted Jesus and obeyed Him, Simon Peter showed miraculous strength and was able to drag the net full of one hundred fifty-three large fish to shore. What a haul! Yet, the net remained intact (v.11). Landing this catch indicated what believers can do even when something seems impossible with man if they trust God through faith in Jesus Christ.

In this event, Jesus invited the disciples to come, have breakfast. They dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord (v.12) even though Jesus’ disciples seemingly don’t recognize Him in His resurrected state. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish (v.13). This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead (v.14). He again provided for His disciples. He had a hot breakfast ready to give physical strength to them after a night of toiling unsuccessfully, having caught no   fish. This was a demonstration that whatever believers’ needs are, they can be certain that Jesus is able to meet them – physical or spiritual. In every aspect of this miraculous event, Jesus purposefully began revealing His plan for these fishermen. 

Lift your voice and give God glory!

John 21:7-9, NRSV updated edition

In life we will have successes and failures. Children of God, however, are in a unique position – a relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus. Jesus’ disciples had an unsuccessful overnight fishing trip, but morning came. Morning brought light. Jesus was that light that stood on the shore unrecognized for whatever reason. But because the disciples obeyed Jesus’ instructions to cast their net on the right side of the boat, they miraculously caught a haul of fish so great they could not pull it in. 

For that reason, John, that disciple whom Jesus loved, recognized who He was. John told Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his fisher’s coat about him, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea (v.7). How blessed children of God are! They have faith in God. Children of God recognize and acknowledge that it is the Lord when desires of our hearts have been granted! 

John continued his Gospel, telling us that the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards away (8). Then John wrote that when the disciples had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread (v.9). Out by the water it appeared that Jesus was providing breakfast for His disciples who had toiled all night and caught no fish.

Lift your voice and give God glory!

John 17:16-18; 21:1-6

My late husband, Willie Breland, Jr., was a fisherman; his belief was that if you had not caught anything in one place in 30 minutes, leave and go someplace else. These fishermen, however, chose to have a night of fishing. They did not know that there at the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) they would see Jesus as promised. Jesus is purposeful in His doings; He knew this was the ideal place to appear to them together. Before His crucifixion, He prayed for His disciples. He declared their relationship with Him; they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world (John 17:16). Jesus asked the Father to sanctify My disciples through Your Word, which is truth (John 17:17). He prayed that just as the Father sent me into the world, I am sending My disciples into the world (John 17:18).

After a night of unsuccessful fishing, morning came. Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was Him. He addressed them as “Children” and asked if they had any meat; they answered, “No.”

He directed them to cast the net on the right side of the boat, and they will find some (John 21:6, NKJV). They did, and their catch was so great they were not able to draw it in. This symbolized that believers are unsuccessful outside the presence of Jesus. When they obey Christ, it leads them to miraculous blessings. “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful” (Prov. 16:20, NLT).

Lift up your voice and give God glory!  

John 21:1-6

In this passage Jesus manifested Himself for the third time after His resurrection (Matt. 28:7). This is how it happened. Seven of His apostles, including Simon Peter, were together at the sea of Tiberias. By revealing Himself to the group, they might be joint witnesses of the same matter of fact and could corroborate one another’s testimony (Matthew Henry). 

Simon Peter said he was going fishing; the others said they were going also. Immediately they went out and got into the boat. That night of fishing was unsuccessful; they caught nothing. However, these disciples were here because the angelic message to the women at the tomb was to tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him (Matt. 28:5-7). Jesus purposefully had His disciples meet Him in Galilee and allowed them to have an unsuccessful night of fishing. He had a plan to turn things around. 

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus (v.4). Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No” (v.5). And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the of the boat and you will find some. So, they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish (v.6). 

Lift up your voice and give God glory!