A few days later a group of disciples decided to go fishing. They fished all night but caught nothing. In the morning Jesus was on the shore, but they did not recognize Him. Verses 5-7 showed them who He was.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
John remembered a similar catch in their early years. Impetuous Peter can’t get to the Lord fast enough. Imagine how excited they all were. Verses 9-15 tells the story of their interaction.
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
Let’s get into their shoes. They thought they had lost their Lord and friend and now they were sitting on a beach having breakfast just like they did many times in the last three years. Their sorrow and certainly have been replaced with joy.
Jesus then reset Peter’s role as the leader of the group. The three questions in verses 15-19 were emotionally deep for Peter.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.”
17 The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said, “Feed My sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, “Follow Me!”
Then Peter asked a question about John. Peter and John were the closest to Jesus.
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me.”
“You must follow Me.” That is Jesus statement time after time in all the Gospels. It is Jesus call to His people in this generation. When we look at others and ask, “What about them?”, Jesus says just follow Me.
Christian Life Coach 