John 21:1-14
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[b] 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
The night of Jesus' arrest, He needed the disciples to pray for Him... The disciples were tired and kept falling asleep and could not pray...Next they denied Him, after His arrest...They scattered from Him with anxiety and fear...They did not know what to do...Anxiety and fear were surrounding them, at the time of His arrest...They would be wondering what would happen next to Him, and to them... Jesus dies alone on the cross...After Jesus was raised from the dead, He first talked to Mary Magdalene...Then He appears to His disciples...The disciples faith is strengthening as they see Him after His resurrection...Their trust in Him, also was continuing to strengthen...
Afterward Jesus appeared again to His disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias...It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, the Sons of Zebedee (John and James), and two other disciples were together...Peter says "I'm going out to fish."...The other six tell Peter, "We'll go with you."...The seven of the Eleven disciples were fishing on the Sea of Galilee...They fished for some time but did not catch anything...They fished all night...That next morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not recognize Him...After His resurrection, He must have changed a little...Mary Magdalene saw Him at His empty tomb and she thought He was a gardener (John 20:15)...He walks on the road to Emmaus several miles, with Cleopas and another of His followers...As they walked Jesus explained to them the Scriptures and how the Scriptures pertained to Him...The two walked with Him for a few hours and they did not recognize Him...That evening they sat down to eat with Him, took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to Him...Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him...Then He disappears from their sight (Luke 24:13-31)...
Jesus calls out from the shore, "Friends haven't you any fish?"...They answered, "No."...Jesus told them to throw their nets on the right side of the boat and you will find some...When they did this, their nets were full of fish...They caught one hundred fifty three fish...John said from the boat, "It is the LORD."...Peter wraps his outer garment around himself and jumps in and swims to shore to greet Him...The other disciples followed in the boat, because they were not far from shore, maybe only hundred yards...They towed the boat in with great miracle catch of fish...They saw Jesus had a fire of burning coals with fish on it and some bread...Jesus told them to bring some of the fish you have just caught...Peter goes back on board the boat and drags the net ashore...Jesus tells them to come and eat breakfast with Him...None of the disciples dared say, "Who are you."...They still did not quite recognize Him...Jesus came , took the bread, and the fish, and gives them some...This was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples since His death...Their faith and trust in Him were growing...
Sometimes He and angels are hard to recognize...We must keep our hearts open to Him and humbly search for Him...Jesus shows Himself to those who seek Him earnestly and are humble, meek, love, trust, and have faith in Him...John, who is the disciple whom Jesus loves, recognized Him first...Peter, full of zeal, passion, and spontaneity, reaches Him first...Those who trust Him and follow Him are rewarded...Those who love and have passion for Him recognize Him and reach Him...The disciples, who had been out fishing all night, are told to throw the nets over on the right side...When they listen and trust Him they catch a net full of fish...Jesus does miracles for those who trust Him...Jesus provides for those who trust Him...We can have fellowship with Him, when we trust Him...