Living your best life
The gospel according to John has a perfectly good ending.
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
- John 20:30-31 NKJV
Except that the Gospel of John has 21 chapters. Why add one more chapter after such a wonderful conclusion? John had one more story to share.
What do we do after we have a powerful encounter with Jesus?
Jesus had spent about 3 1/2 years with His disciples. They had witnessed mighty miracles, including Jesus feeding 5000 men (John 6), raising the dead (John 11), and ultimately dying and coming back to life (John 19-20). There must have been no doubt in the minds and hearts of the disciples that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, and He was alive. Many of you who are reading believe just like the disciples correct? You believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. The question is what do you do with your life in light of that understanding?
The disciples had been taught by Jesus, they loved Jesus. Now Jesus had gone back to the Father, they felt alone, what should they do now?
What's next?
Life as usual?
Perhaps this is the reason for John 21.
A special name.
After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:
- John 21:1 NKJV
One of the encounters some of the disciples have with Jesus takes place at the Sea of Tiberias, which is the Roman designation for the Sea of Galilee. Interestingly the Sea of Tiberias is mentioned only in chapters 6 and 21 of John. John could have just called it the Sea of Galilee, or the Sea of Genessaret as in Luke 5:1, or the Sea of Chinnereth as in Numbers 34:11. Since John chose to use the Roman name that he had only used in chapter 6, I believe it is possible that John is making a subtle connection between the two stories. Do you know what happened in John 6?
After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.
- John 6:1 NKJV
This is the beginning of the story of the feeding of the 5,000 men. Not that only the men were fed but rather only the men were counted. So Jesus fed well over 5,000 people when including women and children (Matthew 14:21).
As John sets up the story about a time when Jesus showed Himself to the disciples he chooses to describe the location by using a specific name that will remind the careful reader of the feeding of the 5,000.
When in doubt, go fishing?
2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.
- John 21:2-3 NKJV
7 Disciples seem to be hanging out together until Peter decides to go fishing. Why not? Jesus has gone back to heaven, the disciples are likely feeling a bit lost, perhaps scared, unsure of the future. What do you do after you have an amazing experience with Jesus and you feel alone and directionless?
I have preached on this passage before and I rebuked the disciples for going back to their old life for going back to fishing instead of doing what Jesus called them to do. But I have changed my view a bit on this. The way I see it now, the disciples had to eat. They had no employment. The one thing Peter and others knew how to do was to go fishing. Maybe they would catch breakfast and have some fish to sell and they can make their plans accordingly. Maybe fishing was a way to clear their mind. Maybe being on a boat together and working with their hands would help quiet their minds, maybe fishing would provide them with clarity.
I wonder if they were struggling to sleep at night and perhaps unwilling to be seen walking around town during the day. According to John 20:19, they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, and I assume they were not too comfortable around Romans either. Following Jesus had caused them to feel unwelcome in their community. So why not spend the night at sea? It was dark, it was quiet and it gave them something productive to do instead of just overthinking all their life decisions, disappointed about missed opportunities of the past, and anxious about future trials.
I do not blame Peter for wanting to go fishing. I think I understand how circumstances made that option appealing. I also do not fault the other six disciples for joining him.
What made matters worse is that they caught nothing all night. This accurately describes most of my fishing experiences. I go fishing for the social aspect and to make others feel better about themselves. It is fine when I catch nothing because I am not depending on the fish I catch to eat or sell to provide for myself. But the scenario changes quickly when you are dependent on the fish you catch to eat and make a living. All night the 7 disciples toiled in vain. They worked hard all night and had nothing to show for it. I imagined the disciples were feeling like failures. Fishing was the one thing they knew how to do, and they could not even do that.
The morning began to dawn which made fishing even more difficult, since now the fish would be able to see the shadow of the boat. But with the morning also came hope for a new day, a new beginning, a new chapter in their lives. Thought the disciples don’t know it yet. Jesus is waiting for them. In their moment of exhaustion, frustration, and defeat, Jesus is waiting for them.
Nothing to eat
4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.”
- John 21:4-5 NKJV
Interacting with God is not necessarily immediately pleasant. The disciples did not realize that Jesus was standing on the shore, so from their perspective, some curious man is asking them if they have anything to eat. How do you feel when you fail and people ask you how it went? Maybe a business deal fell through, you failed an exam you had to pass, you interviewed but didn’t get the job, you played but lost the game, or you tried to summit the mountain but had to turn around before reaching the peak. How does it feel when you have to tell someone else that you failed? It “hits different” when you have to put it into words doesn’t it?
Jesus asked the disciples if they had any προσφάγιον (prosphagion) which means literally “anything to eat with bread” and that’s why some Bibles have it translated as fish, meat, food, or simply as “anything.” The disciples did not catch anything to eat with bread. No fish, no food, no breakfast. Now they are tired, sleep deprived, and hungry, and some nosy guy from the shore is reminding them that they have failed to catch anything to eat. Sometimes our encounter with God begins with a growing awareness of our shortcomings and failures. God begins the dialogue by asking how we are doing and if we are honest with God and ourselves, we confess that we are not doing great.
But a closer look at the text reveals that Jesus referred to his disciples as παιδίον (paidion) which is often translated as a young child.
This term, paidia, can at times be an expression of intimacy as between a parent and children or a leader and followers. John will later use it when he addresses his young Christian community in his special letter to them (cf. 1 John 2:18). Although the term does not always necessarily carry such intimacy, it may be that the evangelist here remembered it with a sense of fond intimacy.
- Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 326.
I believe that this is important because even though our interactions with God cause us to confront our shortcomings, we can come to Him as little children dependent on His loving care. We cannot live without God and without Jesus, there is no hope of salvation. Pride may make this truth uncomfortable, but it remains true nonetheless.
Try this…
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
- John 21:6 NKJV
Do you know what is even better than meeting someone who asks you about the task you just failed at? When that same person gives you advice.
You lost the soccer game? Did you try kicking the ball in the goal of your opponent?
You failed your exam? Did you try studying hard and remembering what you studied?
You lost the race? Did you try going really fast?
Jesus simply tells the disciples to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They do not know it is Jesus speaking to them, but their willingness to listen to Him and try it really amazes me. If I had been in the boat I would have shouted back,
“Oh really, you think we have been fishing only on the left side all night and that all the fish are simply on the right side?”
Or, “Why don’t you swim over here and show us?”
Honestly, how much of a difference could casting the net on the other side make?
I read this story to my kids the other day and asked them what was the moral of the story, and my son told me,
“Always cast the net on the right side of the boat.”
There we go, a story about the secret of fishing. According to the Bible, followers of Jesus always cast their net on the right side of the boat.
This would be to miss the point of the story. It was not a matter of right versus left side of the boat. Even my son was aware that his answer was more of a joke. I believe this portion of the story is about our willingness to give Jesus a try.
The way I see it, it is like us trying to do things our way, and failing, not from lack of trying, we can try really hard and do our very best using all the tricks and tips we have learned, and sometimes we still fail. Despite our best efforts things just fall apart. Then Jesus comes along and says “Have you tried this?” And the question becomes how do we react to Jesus?
Jesus comes along and asks, “Have you tried forgiving those who hurt you?”
Jesus says “Have you tried being kind toward those who are mean to you?”
Jesus tells you “Be the first one to say you’re sorry, and begin the healing process.”
Are we willing to give Jesus’ way of doing things a try? Are we willing to cast the net on the right side, as silly as it may sound?
When the disciples do what Jesus asked they catch so much fish that they can’t even draw the net. If you are familiar with the stories of the New Testament, this account probably reminds you of Luke 5:1-11 where something very similar happens, and then Jesus tells that group of fishermen that now they will become fishers of men.
It is the Lord!
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
- John 21:7-8 NKJV
John tells Peter that it is Jesus at the shore and Peter jumps in the water to go to Jesus, leaving all the fish behind. There are many questions regarding Peter’s behavior since most of us remove clothing before jumping into the water. The best reason for this I found was by Barrett, who responds by noting that religious people at that time did not pass the greeting to another without being dressed. (Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 328 quoting Barrett, St. John, 482)
Breakfast by the sea
9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
- John 21:9-14 NKJV
There is a lot to unpack here and we will begin with the fire of coals.
A fire of coals
The charcoal fire (anthrakian) is significant because this word appears only in two places in the entire New Testament, and both of them are related to Peter in the Gospel of John (18:18; 21:9). The first forms a setting for Peter’s denial and the second for his reinstatement; the first concerns the darkness of an evil night and the second the morning of new possibilities. (Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 329.
Bring some of the fish which you have just caught
The second part that caught my attention is that not only does Jesus have a fire of coals he already has fish laid on it. Where did Jesus get the fish? But even though Jesus has the fire and fish he asks the disciples to bring some of the fish they had just caught. Earlier they had no fish, they had nothing to eat. Until Jesus provided fish for them, they were only able to catch the fish after Jesus told them where to cast the net. Yet, here we have Jesus asking them to share some of their hard-earned gains with Him. Jesus asks the disciples to share some of what they have with Him. It is clear that Jesus did not really need their fish, He already had some. Also if it had not been for Jesus they would have nothing to eat. Yet Jesus gives them great success, then invites them to bring some of it and enjoy breakfast with Him.
I see a principle at work here. God provides for all of our needs, then He invites us to bring some of what He gave us to share and enjoy with Him and others. God gives us life, health, and the ability to work six days a week. Then He invites us to rest with Him one day. Are we okay with sharing one day with God, one special day where we stop focusing on our work and rest and focus on Him?
I see in this the principle of tithes and offerings. God gives us everything that we have. Without Him, we would have nothing. He grants us success, especially as we choose to follow His commands, but many times, in His mercy, even as we rebel against Him, He continues to provide for us. Then He asks us to take some of what He has given us and bring it to Him. He does not need what we have. We need to share as a reminder that it all came from Him and that He is our provider.
Do you think Jesus would have gone hungry if the disciples had not brought Him some fish?
Do you think the disciples would have gone hungry with Jesus had not come to them? When Jesus arrived they had nothing to eat with bread. Now they had 153 large fish!
Bread and Fish
Remember how back in verse 1 John describes their location as the Sea of Tiberias and the only other time the Sea of Tiberias is mentioned was in relation to the feeding of the 5000 (John 6)? Now we have Jesus feeding the disciples fish and bread, which is the same food Jesus multiplied to feed the 5,000 (John 6:11). This must have reminded the disciples that Jesus is more than able to provide for all of their needs. Jesus had multiplied bread and fish and fed a multitude. Jesus had caused them to catch more than enough fish to eat and sell and be set for a while.
They were experiencing once again the truth expressed by King David in the 23rd Psalm.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.”
Pslam 23:1 NLT
How often do we need to be reminded that God is our provider? That Jesus is more than capable of supplying all of our needs?
After Jesus was raised from the dead He showed Himself to His disciples reminding them that they were not alone, that He had called them, and that He was still able to provide for them.
I could stop this post here, but there is more to this story.
Do you love me more than these?
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
- John 21:15 NKJV
Jesus eats with the disciples, understanding that some conversations are better had on full stomachs. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter a pointed question.
I believe Jesus asks this question because of the interaction recorded in Matthew 26:33 where Peter says “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” This verse seems to indicate that Peter, at least at times, considered himself more faithful than the other disciples. Now that Peter denied Jesus three times (John 18:15-18,25-27; Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62) Jesus is asking if it’s true that Peter loves Him more than all the other disciples.
Peter is no longer concerned about comparing himself with the other disciples. Peter appeals to Jesus, who is able to read His heart. Peter is in essence saying, you know my heart, you know that I love you.
Jesus then tells Peter to feed His lambs. It is important for us to understand that those we serve ultimately belong to God. Peter was called by Jesus to feed those who were young in the faith, those who needed the most careful care and attention. This was not a call to debate teachers of the law, but rather to teach the gospel to those who knew the least about God.
Are you sure you love me?
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
- John 21:16-17 NKJV
Peter had publicly denied Jesus three times, and now Jesus asks him three times if he does indeed love Him. It is worth noting that Jesus mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service. The only interview question Jesus asked was “Do you love Me?” Without the love of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian is a failure. The lesson I take from this is that love for Jesus is more important than any amount of talent, whether you were born with it or developed it over the years. What matters supremely is whether or not you love Jesus.
With that said, when we love Jesus, we also have a responsibility to those around us. Jesus places on those who love Him a responsibility towards His lambs and towards His sheep. None of us get to love Jesus without experiencing a burden and responsibility toward those around us. Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved Him and then told him to go attend church. Don’t get me wrong. I believe church attendance is meaningful, but I believe that church attendance is only important so long as it facilitates the mission. The church should both give you an opportunity to serve and provide you with encouragement and training to serve.
Imagine Jesus asking you if you love Him.
What is your answer?
Now imagine Jesus asking you to feed or tend His lambs or sheep.
What is your answer?
Who is Jesus calling you to minister to?
How is Jesus calling you to minister?
My friend, please, do not miss out. If you are not involved in ministry you are missing out on what it means to love Jesus. There is a level of knowing and loving Jesus that can only be experienced when we serve. Find an area and begin to serve. Ask God what He wants you to do. There are limitless opportunities for service, at a local church, within our community at large, and even within your family.
When we labor in connection with Jesus, and His divine power is combined with our human effort, how can we fail?
If you love Jesus, He is calling you to minister to his sheep. There is so much pain and suffering in this world. The best life you can live is a life of service in the will of God.
Jesus will provide for all your needs. Everything good in your life came from Him. Trust Him and become part of the good in someone else’s life. I am not talking about only helping when it is convenient. I am talking about making service a part of your life, of who you are, because you love Jesus and He wants you to experience the blessings that come from ministering to those around you.
Your best life is loving Jesus and caring for His flock.
You can try living a selfish life, a self-focused and self-centered life. But it will not make you happy. Feel free to try it, but I really don’t recommend it. Jesus knows what your best life looks like, and it begins with you answering this simple question,
Do you love Jesus?
If the answer is yes, then He is calling you to care for His sheep.
Don’t miss this opportunity to live your best life.
