Experiencing Jesus

That You May Believe:

Experiencing Jesus John 21:1-14

Dr. Wes George

April 21, 2024

 

Prayer

 

Introduction:

I’ve been on a few trout fishing trips on the White River.  Without a doubt, my more fruitful trips have been with a guide.  Why is that?  Well simply because the guide knew where the fish were.  You can fish all day in water that contains no fish, but you will not catch any fish.  You can have the best pole, the best reel, the best bait, the best boat, the best hat, the best sunglasses, the best fishing shirt and pants; but as long as you fish where there are no fish, you will catch nothing.  The benefit of having a guide is that the good ones know where the fish are.

 

Today we are going to look at a story in the last chapter of John’s Gospel that shows us the difference in catching fish and not catching fish.  After fishing all night the disciples caught no fish.  In a matter of minutes by putting the net on the other side of the boat, the disciples catch a net full of fish.  The difference was that Jesus acting as their fishing guide told them where to put the net.  He told them to put the net where the fish were.

 

This is the epilogue of the book. While the signs or miracles of the Gospel of John officially recorded are seven and are bookended between John 2 and John 11, here in the last chapter we again see the miracle of Jesus’ presence.

 

 

READ TEXT

1 After these things Jesus ^amanifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and 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 will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.

 

4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus *said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

 

9 So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread. 10    Jesus *said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” 11  Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

 

12 Jesus *said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

 

The disciples experienced the faithful initiative of Jesus.

Jesus takes the initiative in manifesting Himself to His disciples.

 

1 After these things Jesus ^amanifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.

 

The disciples experienced the futile efforts without Jesus.

They went fishing without Jesus. The disciples fished all night on their own and caught nothing.

 

2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and 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 will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.

 

There were seven of them and they were net fishing and they caught nothing.  They fished all night.  These were skilled fisherman that made their living fishing.  While this literally happened, the Bible is spiritual book with spiritual application.  Jesus had already told His disciples that without Me, you can do nothing.  Jesus had called His disciples to become fishers of men.  I don’t think it is too far of a stretch to make the connection to fishing for men.

 

Without Jesus, it doesn’t matter how well intentioned you are.

Their intentions were to catch fish.  This is a noble goal especially in relation to spiritual fishing.  It was noble to work or fish to feed yourself, your family, and others.

 

Without Jesus, it doesn’t matter how many or who is with you.

The elite disciples were there.  There were seven of them.  Seven is the perfect number.  But Jesus was not with them, so they did not catch any fish.  If Jesus is not with you, you will not catch any men, reach any people, or have spiritual fruit that will be abundant and will remain.

 

Without Jesus, it doesn’t matter how long or hard you fish.

These guys fished all night and no fish.  That’s really hard to do except how many of us have fished all day or hunted all day without a bite or without seeing anything.  It doesn’t matter how hard you work or what you do if Jesus is not with you. 

 

Jesus told them what to do and produced an abundant catch.

The disciples experienced the fruitful outcome of an abundant catch.

 

4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 So Jesus *said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

 

            With Jesus, there are clear instructions.

Jesus told them to put the nets on the other side of the boat.  Humanly, we would think simply moving the nets the width of the boat, from one side to the other would make no difference or very little difference.  The difference was not so much in where they placed the nets, but in Who they were listening to.  One of the disciples had to be deciding where to put the nets and the boat up to this point.  Now Jesus is giving clear instructions.

 

            With Jesus, there is abundant fruit.

They caught as many fish as the net would hold.  They didn’t catch one or two or ten.  They caught “a great number.”  They didn’t catch little fish either.  They caught “large fish.”  They caught 153 large fish to be exact that filled the net.  Jesus reached the full capacity of their net.  Jesus provides abundant life, abundant fruit, and abundant grace.

 

            With Jesus, there is extravagant enthusiasm.

When Peter and John understood that it was Jesus that was giving them instructions, Peter jumped out of the boat into the water.  Jesus had some previous experience of getting out of the boat for Jesus. Peter did not jump out of the boat when the net was full.  He jumped out of the boat when he understood Jesus was present.  The great gift was not the big catch, but it was the presence of Jesus.

 

We rejoice in the fruitful harvest.  We rejoice in the large numbers of people gathered to worship.  But we jump in the water because Jesus is present.  He is the one that gives the fruit.  He is the one who guides us to where the catch is.

 

The disciples experienced the fruitful outcome of an unbreakable net.

8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

 

11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

 

The net was the system or method used to get the fish in.  They did not celebrate the net.  They used the net for the harvest of the fish.  Sometimes people have been guilty of worshiping or celebrating the method or system while neglecting the lack of fruit or fish.  These disciples did not raise their empty nets and admire the net.  They did not champion the look and style of an empty net.

 

It was not until there were fish in the net did they even know if the net was any good.  Of course, the net proved to be sufficient for the great catch of large fish.  It would have been a shame for there to be 153 large fish that broke the net and just swam off.  Some of the most disappointed fisherman are those whose fish broke line just when you get the fish up to the boat.  In this case, I certainly believe that net being strong enough to hold all these fish is another miracle.  The God who gives the fruitful harvest also gives the unbreakable net of discipleship that produces fruit that remains.

 

We do not worship or admire or elevate our systems and methods, but you have to have pathway to get the fish in the boat or even better to the bank.  If you get more fish than you can handle then you need to get a bigger and stronger net.  The net is our system or method of discipleship.  God gives the fruit and the fish.  God will empower and anoint the steps of assimilation and discipleship.  If He doesn’t, it will be like a broken net that sees a lot fish swim off.

 

The disciples experienced the fruitful outcome of an enduring strength.

 

6. . . So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

 

11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

 

Verse 6 tells us that “they were not able to haul it in.”  Then verse 11 tells us “Simon Peter went up and drew the net to the land, full of large fish.”  They could not haul it in at first, but now Peter alone drew the net.  What changed?  What happened?  Verse 10 happened.

 

10 Jesus *said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”

 

Jesus told him to bring the fish.  When Jesus guides, He provides.  He does ask us to do things that we cannot do.  He does ask us to do things that are beyond our ability, capacity, and strength.  But He never asks us to do anything that He cannot do.  He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.  What they could not do before, Peter can now do.  What has never been done before, can be done if Jesus is telling you to do it.  Peter had the strength to bring the fish in.

 

The disciples experienced the fruitful outcome of an unconditional grace.

The unconditional grace of Jesus is seen in His faithful initiative.  His faithful initiative is extended in providing a meal for these disciple fishermen.

 

9  So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.

 

12 Jesus *said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

 

These verses remind the disciples of their life with Jesus.  How many times had they enjoyed a meal with Jesus on the seashore? Do they remember when Jesus asked for the fish and loaves before He fed the 5000?  Do they remember the Lord’s supper when He took bread and gave it to them? Does the charcoal fire remind Peter of his denial of Christ around a fire? When Jesus said “Come”, did they flashback to His words Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest?

 

The number three is prominent in Scripture.  There are three persons of the Godhead. Jesus rose on the third day. Three times Peter denied Christ, Verse 14 says this was the third time that Jesus manifested Himself to His disciples since His resurrection. 

 

14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

 

And next week we will see that three times Jesus asks, Peter, do you love Me? 

 

 

The Book of Signs or miracles as some have called the first part of John concludes with the miracles of an abundant catch, an unbreakable net, an enduring strength, and an unconditional grace.

 

Conclusion: I hope that the experience of the disciples will be your experience this morning.

 

I pray that you will experience the faithful initiative of Jesus coming to you today.

For your salvation

For your restoration

 

I pray that you will experience the fruitful outcome of abundant fruit as opposed to futile efforts without Jesus.

 

I pray that you will experience the fruitful outcomes of unbreakable net, an enduring strength, and an unconditional grace.

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