Summary:
After Jesus’ resurrection, He appears to seven of His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. They go fishing but catch nothing all night. In the morning, Jesus (unrecognized at first) tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They do and catch a large number of fish. John realizes it’s Jesus, and Peter jumps into the water to reach Him. The others bring the boat and the full net to shore. Jesus has prepared a charcoal fire with fish and bread and invites them to eat. This is the third time Jesus appears to them after His resurrection.
Teaching:
The situation of the disciples is ambiguous. If Jesus had died and not risen, things would actually be simpler. But because the Jesus who died is now alive, His original words—“become fishers of men”—still stand. So, catching fish feels uncertain, and going out to evangelize feels unclear; they’re feeling lost. And then they meet Jesus. This third encounter with the risen Jesus mirrors the very first time they met Him.
Even after encountering the risen Jesus, the disciples foolishly go back to Galilee to fish. They were told to wait for the Holy Spirit, yet they’re out fishing—just like us. Jesus is patient, patiently calling them again. He even prepares breakfast and invites them to eat. What a good Jesus He is.
Jesus continues to give grace and renew His calling. We cannot reject that calling. We must not avoid Jesus but fulfill the calling He has given us.
Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, June 12, 2025.
John 21:1-14
(D-77)