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John 21

Jeremy Paschall
11/19/23 - Podcast

And now, a minute with the Word…

According to Luke 5.1-11, Simon Peter’s (and others’) following of Jesus commenced in earnest on the shore of Lake Gennesaret (a.k.a. the Sea of Galilee or Sea of Tiberias) after an unproductive night of fishing and a miraculous catch of fish (at the instruction of Jesus), so large that “their nets began to break” (verse 6). But Peters’ discipleship faltered at Jesus’ enemies’ “fire of coals” (John 18.18, 25). Now in John 21, he (and others) unknowingly encounter Jesus again, on the same shore and after another fish-less night (verses 1-4), only to recognize Him after another miraculous catch “of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken” (verses 5-11). And the discipleship that stumbled, with three denials at the enemies’ fire, is restored with a three-fold affirmation of love (verses 15-17) at “a fire of coals” (verse 9) kindled by Jesus.