It is interesting to note that some commentators believe that this chapter was not penned by John himself. They believe that John died before his gospel was circulated to the churches. In their view, the prologue (John 1: 1 - 18) and John 21 were added to John's gospel record by John's disciples. And that John closed his writing with the words from 20:30 - 31 "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Maybe so ... maybe no. What we do know is that the prologue and Chapter 21 have been attached to the earliest manuscript fragments that we have. And they do bookend this gospel account beautifully!
Chapter 21 has two primary foci: first is the apostolic mission of the church and second is the restoration of Peter.
Today we will consider the first. Read John 21: 1 - 14.
In Palestine, on the Sea of Galilee, the best time for fishing was in the wee morning hours ... before sunrise. Usually the fishermen would use two nets: a trammel net or compound net. This net had cork floaters on top and stone or metal sinkers on the bottom. It would be cast into the sea. Once a school of fish was surrounded, the men would then throw a cast net. This net was about 10 feet across with lead sinkers. It would settle over a school of fish and the fishermen would then tighten the net around the school and begin to haul the catch to the boat. If in shallow enough waters, a fisherman might dive into the water to help manipulate the cast net. (Could be why Peter did not have on his outer cloak.) Very often, in the pre-dawn light, a school of fish would be visible to someone farther away than to the men right on top of the scene. Perhaps that is why we don't find Peter and his companions questioning the stranger on the shore when he suggested that they try the other side of the boat. (verse 6)
Was the catch miraculous? Perhaps God pulled that school of fish together at that place and that time. What we know is that it was abundant! In Judaism, an abundant catch was a sign of God's favor and blessing. I think Jesus was having a good time watching all this happen! I can imagine him laughing out loud as the fishermen strained to manage the huge catch of fish - thoroughly enjoying the enormity of the blessing for these men.
Have you seen abundance in your own life? You most likely are one of two kinds of people: those who view the world through the lens of abundance and those who view the world through the lens of scarcity.
O, Lord, how I want to be able to see the abundance You have provided in my life! Help me, help us, never to focus on what we think is "missing" and focus on the plenty, the blessedness of "enough" that is from Your hand.
If there is symbolic significance in the number 153 (verse 11), its meaning has been lost. There is speculation ... but no one is certain of any significance.
And we watch our risen Lord cooking a breakfast for ones that He loves. Such an ordinary task. Such a daily task. Can we watch Him doing this mundane thing and learn anything? How do you view the food prep that you do for your family? I want to transform my view from "burden" to "privilege". It is a precious privilege ... to help provide sustenance for people you love. Let's learn from the example of Jesus.
I see a primary lesson in this first section of chapter 21. And that lesson is: "Church, cast the net ... let God draw in the fish." Have you ever been guilty of pre-deciding who will be receptive to the message of Jesus and who will not? Sometimes we prejudge people on appearance or lifestyle or demographic or a myriad of other criteria. Let's commit ourselves to just casting the net ... always remembering what we learn from Isaiah 52:7 ...
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Have beautiful feet this week! And that has nothing to do with pedicures!!
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