Jesus’ Appearance at the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-14)

This sermon was preached on 11/12/2012

This chapter functions as a kind of epilogue in John’s Gospel. We know that John 1:1-18 functions as a prologue to the Gospel, giving important information about the pre-existence of the Saviour such as his presence with the Father and his work as Creator of all things. John 20 closed the main section of the Gospel as can be seen from the way John ends the chapter, when he urged his readers to believe in Jesus and obtain eternal life. He probably expected his readers to reflect on what he had told them, and having done so they would be ready to appreciate the details mentioned in the epilogue. What ideas would come to the mind of a reader? He or she would wonder what happened to backsliding Peter or faithless Thomas; this chapter gives the answer. A reader may wonder what had happened to Nathaniel, who has not been mentioned since chapter 1. He is still with the disciples (most commentators think he is the same person as Bartholomew).

This incident is a fulfilment of a promise that Jesus made before his resurrection as well as on the day of resurrection. In the Garden of Gethsemane he had said to his disciples: ‘You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee’ (Matt. 26:31-32). On the resurrection day he told the women that they were to tell his ‘brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me’ (Matt. 28:10). Both these predictions were met by unbelief initially in the disciples, although by now the disciples knew that Jesus was alive.

This is the first of at least two appearances of the risen Saviour in Galilee. The second is mentioned in Matthew 28:16: ‘Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.’ We can tell that this appearance at the lake was the first in Galilee because John tells us that it was the third appearance of Jesus to his disciples as a group (the previous two had occurred in Jerusalem). Unlike the previous two appearances to the group of disciples, this third appearance was not on a Lord’s Day.

It is also worth noting that both Jesus’ first and last recorded miracles were done in Galilee. The first was the turning of water into wine at Cana and the second was this miraculous catch of fish. Galilee was therefore a highly favoured location that had known many of the Saviour’s miracles. In both the first and the final miracles, Jesus gave abundantly more than was expected.

We should not read the action of the disciples in going fishing as if they had made a mistake. This is often done, with preachers and authors stating that the disciples had somehow forsaken their calling as apostles and had returned to their previous occupations. There is not a hint of such an attitude in the story, and it would have been very surprising for Jesus to bless them if they were in such a state. The fact of the matter is that laziness is not commended in the Bible, and here it was appropriate for the disciples to utilize their time wisely. And the incident tells us that Jesus can appear to us when we are engaged in our employment just as he can appear to us during a religious service.

Another important aspect of the incident is that we should expect fresh experiences of the grace of Jesus. The disciples had previous experience of Jesus’ power; they had seen him do great miracles during his three years of public ministry. And they had seen the evidence of his resurrection power when they had met him in the upper room. But they could not rest on past experiences; it was important that they anticipate more, and that is why they were in Galilee. Connected to that lesson is another one: the disciples had to learn afresh that they still needed Jesus’ enabling, even in the mundane categories of life.

The list of names: Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together (21:2). It is possible that John only named the apostles and the other two were friends of the apostles. The obvious point from this list of names is the prominence it gives to those who had failed Jesus in a very public manner. There are two failures named first: Peter had denied Jesus and Thomas had doubted that Jesus had risen.

The benefits of obedience. Obedience to Jesus results in blessing from Jesus. This is seen in the incident when the disciples obey Jesus and cast out their nets; the consequence is a large catch of fish. But the experience did not stop there. Blessing from Jesus should result in fellowship with Jesus, which is what took place once the boats had come to shore.

The complexities of providence. These disciples were in the path of obedience and were anticipating an encounter with Jesus. They had gone to Galilee in obedience to their Saviour’s instructions in order to meet him there. While we don’t know why this group decided to go fishing, it is reasonable to assume that it was to earn money to live on or to provide food to eat. Despite their spiritual state, they underwent an adverse providential experience when they caught nothing although they had fished all night.

The incident is a reminder that such experiences do not indicate that Christ is displeased with us. Rather they can become opportunities for us to experience more of the Lord’s grace. Many a person has found that the next person he met after an adverse experience was Jesus himself. John’s words are a good confession for us to use whatever our providences. ‘It is the Lord.’

There is also a reminder that we should tell Jesus that we caught nothing. From the shore, he asked them what they had achieved. Their honest reply brought in his help. In one way this is the most important lesson from the incident. We live in a society that is finding it increasingly difficult to admit to failure. Christ’s disciples should be pleased to admit it because as long as they don’t, they won’t experience his help. Admitting their failure was an important step in experiencing his provision.

There is also something worth noting about the precise number of fish that were caught (153). Obviously, they had been counted. Sixty years later, John remembers the number. It is useful for us to take precise features of a providential experience and record them in a manner that will be helpful for us in the future.

What does the story tell us about Jesus?

John tells his readers that the incident was primarily a revelation by Jesus of himself. Twice he says that Jesus showed or revealed himself. So what did he reveal about himself? James Stalker comments that after his resurrection Jesus appeared in places that had special memories for him, such as Bethany and the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee. According to James Stalker, this is evidence of ‘a trait of tender humanity – His attachment to the scenes of His earthly experiences.’

Here are some other suggestions as to what Jesus revealed about himself.

Firstly, Jesus knew where his disciples were. It is unlikely that they sensed his presence as they travelled to Galilee. Nevertheless, he had taken account of their journey and knew where they were. This is true of all his people and it is a source of great comfort.

Secondly, Jesus can appear without being recognised by his disciples. We have already mentioned that we should remind ourselves of him when we go through adverse providences. But it is also the case that Jesus draws near through his Word. One example is when we come across a commandment to obey. If we obey, it will be a step towards meeting him; if we disobey his commandment, then we will not meet him.

Thirdly, Jesus was delighted to help his disciples. Into this rather mundane activity, Jesus came and accomplished what they could not do. This is a reminder that Jesus desires to be involved in the details of our practical living. Connected to his delight is the amazing reality that Jesus rejoices to serve his people. Although he has risen from the dead, he is still marked by humble service. Not only does he do what they could not do (provide the catch of fish), he did what they could have done (prepared a fire for warmth and a meal for strength). This is our compassionate Master, concerned about our physical needs as well as our spiritual ones.

Fourthly, Jesus once again revealed his sovereignty over creation. By providing this catch of fish, he reminded his disciples that the whole of creation was at his disposal when he wants to provide for his people. This would be an encouragement to these disciples as they were about to set out on their campaign of world evangelism. And it should be an encouragement to us as we face concerns about resources.

Fifthly, note how affectionately Jesus greets his disciples, ‘Children.’ We have already noticed the different ways he greeted his disciples after his resurrection: ‘All is well,’ ‘Peace,’ etc. The term ‘children’ points to his care of his people and concern for them.

The response of John

The men in the boats are too far away for identifying Jesus with their eyes. Yet John recognised who it was. John was the one who lay on Jesus’ breast, a position of love. Love has perceptive vision; it can see what others cannot. This is true at the human level, but is also true of the relationship between Jesus and his disciples. ‘The brightest eyes in the church are those who love him most’ (Spurgeon). What does the passage say about a lover of Jesus?

Firstly, it indicates that lovers of Jesus are humble when describing themselves. John describes himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’. He could have written, ‘John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.’ Instead he focussed on the Lover. Love to Jesus always highlights his contribution.

In what ways had Jesus loved John? He had loved him in the sense that he had been John’s teacher throughout the years of public ministry. John also knew that Jesus became his substitute on the cross. But I suspect that John’s love had grown because he had spent time in the presence of Jesus. This is the secret of developing a strong love. We should be amazed and grateful for Jesus’ teaching and for his salvation. But we should also become his close friends.

Secondly, love in John recognises the exercise of divine power. Probably, John recollected the previous miracle when Jesus gave to the disciples a great catch of fish. It may be that John, being a contemplative character, had often reflected on these mighty works of Jesus so that he was able to recognise another act of Jesus. His heart told him what his eyes could not.

The response of Peter

As we think of this miracle, we can see similarities to the miracle Jesus performed when he called Simon Peter to full-time apostleship (Luke 5:1-11). On that occasion, the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing, and were advised by Jesus where to find fish. At the same time, there are differences, notably Peter’s confession of his unworthiness to be in the company of Christ.

In the incident in John 21, Peter receives the benefit of being close to a person who had strong love to Jesus. John had identified Jesus, and Peter was able to meet Jesus because of it. This was not the first time that John had helped Peter in this way (the incident in the Upper Room when he beckoned to John to ask Jesus to reveal the name of the betrayer) suggests that John was recognised as having this peculiar contact with his Saviour. Every believer loves Jesus, but some love him more deeply. We all know people who have a strong love for Jesus and it is inevitable that we will meet Jesus if we spend time with them.

Here in John 21 Peter runs towards Jesus. I suspect he did this because his recent, fresh forgiveness by Jesus gave him boldness to do so. Peter had discovered that his Saviour did not delay in forgiving him his sins. If John’s love had developed out of his devotional response to Jesus, Peter’s love had increased as a result of being forgiven by Jesus. It can be said of Peter as was said of another by Jesus in Luke 7:47: ‘Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven — for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ Forgiveness gives wings to love.

Peter was also reverent in that he put on his outer clothes. It is unlikely that he was naked (as the AV suggests); the words can indicate that he was wearing his undergarment. But the fact that he put on his outer clothes indicates that he thought he was unfit to appear before Jesus without them. Probably his undergarments were dirty because of the work he was doing. The point I am making does not concern our attire; rather I am highlighting the fact that the reception of forgiveness should not cause forgetfulness of Christ’s dignity.

Application

This appearance of the risen Christ has many things to say to us today. We can summarise them as follows. First, the story tells us that Jesus blesses us in our work activities as well as in our religious ones. Second, the account stresses the desire of Jesus to be with his people, to have fellowship with them. Third, the incident highlights that Christians react differently in the same event. Fourth, the occasion reminds us of the zeal that a sense of forgiveness brings.