[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 21
“Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these? …. Feed my lambs” (John 21:15)
“Simon, son of John, do you truly love me? …. Take care of my sheep” (John 21:16)
“Simon, son of John, do you love me? …. Feed my sheep” (John 21:17)
“If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me” (John 21:22)
JESUS AND THE MIRACULOUS CATCH OF FISH (vs. 1-14)
Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James and John) and two other disciples were together in a boat at the Sea of Tiberias catching fish. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore and instructed them how and where to catch fish. John the disciple whom Jesus loved recognized Him. When he told Peter “It is the Lord”, Peter jumped into the water. The other disciples towed the boat with a net full of fish and landed. There was a fire of burning coals where Jesus prepared the breakfast for them. And this was the moment when Jesus reinstated Peter. The fire of reminded Peter of his denials. The miraculous catch of fish reminded his call to service.
JESUS REINSTATES PETER (vs. 15-25)
Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” three times signifying his 3 denials. The word “LOVE” in Greek has different degrees. When Jesus asked the first 2 questions, he was using the AGAPE love (sacrificial love). Peter answered him with PHILEO love (brotherly love) because he was not sure if he could really sacrifice for him since he has failed before. So, the third time, Jesus changed His question of LOVE from “AGAPE” to “PHILEO”. Then He gave Peter 3 instructions: (1) Feed my lambs, (2) take care of my sheep and (3) Feed my sheep. His last comand to him was: “Follow me” (v. 19)
Jesus told Peter the kind of death he will suffer. Then Peter asked Him about the fate of John. Jesus answered: “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (v. 23)
SUMMARY:
After Jesus left His disciples, Peter and six other disciples returned to fishing. But their efforts failed because they did not catch any fish. But when Jesus appeared and gave them instruction, they caught a great number of fish. This teaches us that without Christ, we can do nothing. It is better to wait on the Lord for directions than to work ourselves in useless activities.
God’s instruction to Peter was to feed the lambs (new believers), to shepherd the sheep (believers) and to feed the sheep with God’s Word. In other words, he had to become a missionary leading people to Christ, a pastor to take care of the believers and a preacher to teach God’s truth to believers. All Christians are expected to be fishers of men but some have special ministry of shepherding the flock.
Jesus repeated his call for Peter to follow Him. Following Jesus means taking up the cross. Peter tried to keep Christ away from the cross before. Here, Jesus was telling him to take up the cross.
Jesus told Peter the kind of death he will be suffering when he followed Him. When he turned and saw John, he asked Jesus: “Lord, what about him?” Jesus told him that he has nothing to meddle with the decision He had on others. In other words, it is none of your business to know how Christ will do to other Christian workers. It is our duty to keep our eyes on Him alone and obey Him.
The amazing God reinstated Peter despite of his denials. He used Him to proclaim the gospel and live for Him. How about you? Are you willing to let Christ use you to become His instrument for His glory?
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