From Failure to Faith: Evangelism and Fellowship in the Risen Christ
John 21:1–14 (NKJV)
Christ Appears to the Seven Disciples
21 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 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. 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.”
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.
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. 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.
Message
I. The Disciples’ Failure at Sea (1-3)
John 21:1-14 records that Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. Seven disciples, including Simon Peter, were fishing but caught nothing during the night (3).
It was an unfortunate night of failure. They had experienced a similar failure just before Simon was called to follow Jesus. On that day, Simon said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing.” (Luke 5:5 NKJV). Sometimes, we experience failure so that we can experience God's miracle.
II. Jesus Appears and Gives Direction (4-6)
That morning, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus (4). Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” (5) 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 (6).
Jesus performed a similar miracle in Luke 5:1-11. He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” When Simon and his work partners obeyed His word, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking (Luke 5:6 NKJV). Through this miracle, Simon Peter experienced the revelation and forgiveness of Jesus, surrendered before Him, and was called to be a fisher of men (Luke 5:11).
This miracle shows that Jesus will take care of them both physically and spiritually. Therefore, they simply needed to trust the Lord and prioritise the mission above all else (Matthew 6:33).
III. Recognising Jesus and Peter’s Passionate Response (7-8)
John told Peter, “It is the Lord!” Simon Peter put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea (7). Peter’s act of wearing his outer garment shows his respect toward the master. His plunging into the sea shows his passion and love for Jesus.
IV. Evangelism and Fellowship in the Risen Christ (9-14)
Jesus had set a fire of coals and fish laid on it, and bread (9). When they came to the land, Jesus asked them to bring some of the fish they had just caught (10). The net was full of large fish — 153 in total (11a). What is the meaning of 153?
- The literal count shows this event happened ‘actually’ and is a real miracle.
- Augustine suggests that 153 is related to 17 because 1 + 2 + 3 + … + 15 + 16 + 17 = 153. And 17 is 10 + 7, with 10 symbolising the Ten Commandments, representing the Law and with 7 symbolising Spiritual Completeness, representing the Holy Spirit. So, 10 + 7 = 17 (Law + Spirit). Thus, 153 symbolises the fullness of God’s people saved by Law and Spirit – the complete harvest of believers into the Kingdom.
- Jerome (early 400s AD) explains that ancient zoologists believed there were exactly 153 species of fish in the world. So, the 153 fish symbolise all nations and peoples – the whole world being brought into Christ through the Church.
While their net was breaking in Luke 5:6 but the net was not broken in v11b. The ‘large’ fish and ‘unbroken’ net show that their faith and capacity of evangelism had grown. The harvest of the church born through the resurrection of Jesus will be greater and more glorious.
Jesus then invited them to eat breakfast (12). Jesus took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish (13). Jesus demonstrated His love toward the disciples. He also demonstrated servanthood and taught the greatness of humility and serving others, as He showed and taught in John 13:1-17. Also, this fellowship is new if compared to the miracle written in Luke 5:1-11. This symbolises that the church is not only evangelising but also enjoying intimate fellowship and being nourished by Christ Himself.
This was now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead (14).
