Daily Bread John 21
Daily Bread John 21
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered.
6He 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.
7Then 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. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[b] 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Observation:
Jesus shows up for the third time to show His disciples that He is risen just as He said. In this case, he surprises the disciples and shows up on the beach and tells them to cast the net over the side of the boat. Even though the disciples haven’t caught much all day (sounds very familiar!), they pull in a miraculous catch of 153 fish. Not only were they large fish, but one net kept them all together.
There have been many interesting possibilities for this number 153, as it is pretty random that this number is given. Some have said that there were 76 generations up to Christ, and then the one Jesus was in, and then 76 generations until Jesus comes back. Interestingly if a generation is 40 years that would make 2940 AD the time he returns.
Another ancient tradition says it represents the 153 Hail Mary’s said in the rosary. Others into numbers say that 153 is a unique number. If you cube all three numbers you get 153. (1x1x1=3; 5x5x5=125; 3x3x3=27 total=153). Three is seen as a spiritual number. Ie. Trinity, Jesus was tempted three times. He rose after three days etc..
Although it is fun to think of these possibilities the bottom line is it is a large amount of fish. And the most important thing is that Jesus used the situation to remind them of the time they had spent together when and all the signs he did to show them He was the Messiah. You can kind of see Jesus saying, “See guys I still have it!”
Importantly, Jesus takes this moment to reinstate Peter to the ministry of feeding His sheep as one of the chief apostles. Peter surely needed this reaffirmation, after denying Jesus three times on Good Friday. Similarly, Jesus three times asks him if he loves him. Peter gets the point by the third time. We know that Peter became one of the most powerful ministers of the gospel our world has ever known.
Application:
What is amazing to me in this passage is Jesus’ willingness to meet the disciples in a way that would empower them to go forth knowing that He was truly Risen from the dead. It isn’t like Jesus said or thought, “I rose from the dead that should be enough for them.” He realizes they are in a vulnerable state and gives them an experience that would reassure them of His love for them and His trust in them to carry on the mission He gave them.
Especially we see this with Peter, who had denied even knowing Jesus at His crucifixion. Jesus realizes what he needs to be reinstated in a powerful and public way. Jesus sees what Peter can become and challenges him in a way that causes him to believe in himself again. Jesus was the perfect mentor. He knew when his guys needed some reassurance, and which ones needed the challenge to go forth with the mission He originally had called them to.
As you enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, you will find He will do the same for you. As we trust Jesus with our lives each day, He will meet us down by the beach and help us to do amazing things we could never do. All we have to do is throw our nets over the side of the boat and leave the haul up to Him.
Prayer: Jesus thank you for calling us to be your sheep. You are the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep of your fold. As we have been fed and nurtured by you, may we also tend to the lambs you have given us as a sign of our love for you. In Your name, Amen.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered.
6He 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.
7Then 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. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[b] 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Observation:
Jesus shows up for the third time to show His disciples that He is risen just as He said. In this case, he surprises the disciples and shows up on the beach and tells them to cast the net over the side of the boat. Even though the disciples haven’t caught much all day (sounds very familiar!), they pull in a miraculous catch of 153 fish. Not only were they large fish, but one net kept them all together.
There have been many interesting possibilities for this number 153, as it is pretty random that this number is given. Some have said that there were 76 generations up to Christ, and then the one Jesus was in, and then 76 generations until Jesus comes back. Interestingly if a generation is 40 years that would make 2940 AD the time he returns.
Another ancient tradition says it represents the 153 Hail Mary’s said in the rosary. Others into numbers say that 153 is a unique number. If you cube all three numbers you get 153. (1x1x1=3; 5x5x5=125; 3x3x3=27 total=153). Three is seen as a spiritual number. Ie. Trinity, Jesus was tempted three times. He rose after three days etc..
Although it is fun to think of these possibilities the bottom line is it is a large amount of fish. And the most important thing is that Jesus used the situation to remind them of the time they had spent together when and all the signs he did to show them He was the Messiah. You can kind of see Jesus saying, “See guys I still have it!”
Importantly, Jesus takes this moment to reinstate Peter to the ministry of feeding His sheep as one of the chief apostles. Peter surely needed this reaffirmation, after denying Jesus three times on Good Friday. Similarly, Jesus three times asks him if he loves him. Peter gets the point by the third time. We know that Peter became one of the most powerful ministers of the gospel our world has ever known.
Application:
What is amazing to me in this passage is Jesus’ willingness to meet the disciples in a way that would empower them to go forth knowing that He was truly Risen from the dead. It isn’t like Jesus said or thought, “I rose from the dead that should be enough for them.” He realizes they are in a vulnerable state and gives them an experience that would reassure them of His love for them and His trust in them to carry on the mission He gave them.
Especially we see this with Peter, who had denied even knowing Jesus at His crucifixion. Jesus realizes what he needs to be reinstated in a powerful and public way. Jesus sees what Peter can become and challenges him in a way that causes him to believe in himself again. Jesus was the perfect mentor. He knew when his guys needed some reassurance, and which ones needed the challenge to go forth with the mission He originally had called them to.
As you enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, you will find He will do the same for you. As we trust Jesus with our lives each day, He will meet us down by the beach and help us to do amazing things we could never do. All we have to do is throw our nets over the side of the boat and leave the haul up to Him.
Prayer: Jesus thank you for calling us to be your sheep. You are the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep of your fold. As we have been fed and nurtured by you, may we also tend to the lambs you have given us as a sign of our love for you. In Your name, Amen.
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