John 21:1-23
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 on his outer garment (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 two hundred cubits away (100 meters), dragging the net full of fish. 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.
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.
What motivates us? Who or what moves us toward change or transition to new things? Peter’s story is our story! Peter “threw himself into the sea” to swim toward the God who is love. Jonah was thrown into the stormy sea by his shipmates. We swim to God one way or another-under coercion or willfully…at some point we must draw near to embrace His grace in humility! Peter did not wait for anyone else to start the process of transformation and redemption, he struck out on his own, ate breakfast with Jesus and went on to turn his world upside down with the resurrection love of Jesus flowing in His heart!
The end-times will be marked with a short supply of agape love. Lawlessness will quench love between family, friends, neighborhoods and nations. Fear will intimidate the spread of God’s bold love. Wickedness will come out of the shadows in full view to attempt to triumph over goodness. Therefore, we must develop a strong love to swim in the still waters of His grace to be saved. Also, We must possess His love to be His Lifeguards in the troubled waters of humanity.
Below are some portraits of the anatomy of love. The Holy Spirit works among us, in us and through us to be always perfecting His love (Rom.5:5).
“Swimming” is a metaphor for breaking out of routine, getting out of our comfort zone and drawing near to the Lord Jesus. God’s loving discipline often requires us to do something that we can’t do or have never done, but all heaven moves toward us when we step into this seeming abyss.
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God’s Love does not give up on us…”this is now the 3rd time that Jesus manifested Himself to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.” We must realize the grace of God chooses us and qualifies us in view of His foreknowledge of our failures….He is faithful even though we stumble and fall. He has already made up His mind to include us in His plan and purpose! Jump in and swim you have nothing to lose but your self but everything eternal to gain! Peter made the break with his past failure by swimming to Jesus! “we love BECAUSE He first loved us (John)…he who has been forgiven much loves much (Jesus)”!
ACTION: Look in the mirror or at a crucifix and say aloud to yourself, “Jeff you have been forgive for so much, you can forgive others from the heart with love”!
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Biblical LOVE is centered on God and People not ourselves and things. The real fishing was Jesus casting a NET around His disciples and drawing them further into His kingdom purpose! We must learn to use things to love people, not use people to love things!
ACTION: Give something of value that belongs to you to someone else. Cook a meal for someone and tell talk to them about the love of God.
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Love Cooks, Counts and Love is LARGE...153 LARGE FISH,,,..it’s a record! “Love is the accurate estimate and the abundant supply of the needs of others”. Count your blessings name them one by one and surely you will see what the Lord has done!
ACTION: Go on a walk and do nothing but thank God for specific blessings…Don’t ask for anything.
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Love does not fall apart under the strain, pull, and pressure of life. “The net was not torn”! If it does “tear” love heals the broken heart! John was an expert at ‘mending’ nets, the same word translated for “equipping” in Eph. 4. God’s work should not tear us apart but hold us together under the demands, pressures and challenges of ministry in our homes and in our churches.
ACTION: Ask the Father to heal any broken areas or extreme disappointments with your experience in the Church. Reconcile yourself with someone perhaps you fell out of relationship.
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The Love of God believes in the value of others BEFORE they convert. The model of discipleship demonstrated by Jesus was one of pursuit, personal and persuasion. Sometimes We try to get people saved and then we pay attention to them. Discipleship of Jesus leads to repentance and faith in God and the love of God. Discipleship can lead to conversion too.
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What does Jesus mean “do you love Me more than these” (plural)?
· 153 Large Fish, business success, prosperity, what Peter was good at, fishing was Peter’s go to, but he had to let it go to fulfill his calling.
· Jesus cooking..the fish Jesus had brought to the party…do you love Me for who I am…more than what I can DO for you?
· Peter’s Friends…sometimes we are required to strike out in obedience to the Lord without the understanding or support of friends or family.
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Love is Voluntarily Loyal, Tough & Tender…Let’s face it Peter was kind of harsh, a brawler…the Love of God does not flatter but challenges the one loved with tough truth and purpose. Jesus is Lord, He owns us by His blood…He has the right to question our loyalty and resolve to serve and worship Him. However, He does so in a way that builds our conviction, our cause and confidence in Him and Him alone to supply everything we need to please and glorify Him!
ACTION: Ask the Lord Jesus to deepen you love for Him and others. Be willing to repent and open your heart to His love in a new way!
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Love Does Not Waste Time Comparing & Competing with Other Christians…21 So Peter, upon seeing him, *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” We all are called to run our unique race. We must fix our eyes on Jesus and laying aside our own weights and the sin which so easily entangles us (Heb.12:1-2). As my father-in-law, Rick Howard, often said, “keep your cotton-pickin’ hands of other Christians” …I agree there comes a point when we let go of trying to figure out what everyone else is doing or supposed to do and we become razor sharp in our own call to “follow” Jesus in obedient love. Fast Forward, the beautiful portrait is painted in Acts with Peter and John walking together to the temple for prayer and they heal the lame man at the Gate Beautiful.
How beautiful it is when we swim to Jesus in the privacy of our own calling and then walk together as Brothers & Sisters to do His work of love!
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Jude 20-21
