Living in Light of the Resurrection | John 21

INTRODUCTION

The resurrection of Jesus is a reality that transforms how we live every single day. John 21 beautifully shows us that life after the resurrection is about allowing the Christ to influence every area of our life.

How are we to live in light of the resurrection?

How did Jesus encourage his disciples to life post-resurrection?

Open your Bibles with me to John 21. In this chapter, Jesus meets His disciples in their ordinary work, shares fellowship with them, and calls Peter once again to follow Him.

John 21:1-11 – Fishing Story. The disciples go fishing.

John 21:12-14 – Breakfast. Jesus has breakfast with his disciples.

John 21:15-23 – Follow Me. Jesus commissions Peter.

John 21:1-19, 25

¹Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: ²Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as 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. 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.” ¹¹So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat 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.

Jesus Reinstates Peter

¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

²⁵Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

HF: This sermon focuses on how we can live our lives effectively in light of the resurrection.

What does life in Jesus look like?

John 21 can be seen as an epilogue.

John does not talk about the ascension. For John Jesus is still with us by the Spirit. He has not left us, he now inhabits the hearts of his disciples making his presence real and genuine with us.

The Fishing Story

John starts off with a fishing story.

Peter said, “I am going fishing.” Everyone else said, “We are going with you.”

Sometimes we take it negatively that they were discouraged, confused and they did not have a profession and they went fishing. It looks like they have run away. Now, I am going to give you a different perspective.

Why are they in Galilee?

1. They are in Galilee because they want to obey Jesus.

They are not running away from anything. Jesus on the night he was betrayed told his disciples  that every one of them are going to fall away and Peter is going to deny him 3 times.

Then he says to them in Matthew 26:32

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.

Right after his resurrection he tells Mary Magdalene and the other women:

Matthew 28:10

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:16

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

They disciples are in Galilee, not running away. They are obeying Jesus.

Why were they fishing after following Jesus?

What about that boats and nets that we thought the disciples left? They did not actually leave them literally. While in their call it is said the they left their nets and followed Jesus, 9 different times we find in the gospels where actually the disciples who seemed to have left their nets and boats are back in boats again, just that now their boats dedicated to the Lord and used in His service.

Mark 3:9

Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him.

• The boat was alike a pulpit.
• When Jesus taught parables of the soil on a boat.
• Later, Jesus with his disciples were in the boat and spoke to the wind and the waves and said, “Be still.”
• After feeding the 5000, the disciples go on a boat and Jesus walks on water.
• There are boats all over the gospels.
• They are not harbour shuttle.

In Matthew 17, there is a case where a bunch of tax collectors are making their rounds and they come to Peter and they say to Peter. Does not your teacher pay the temple tax?

Matthew 17:27

…..go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

They are still fishing. Where did that net and boat come from?

There is nothing wrong with an opportunity to having to fish, after all Jesus is crucified and raised from the dead, they still have to eat. Fishing is okay. When the apostles went fishing I see that they were not backsliding. Peter did not say that, “I am going to go fishing and I will not preach anymore.” He did not say that.

1. Work with Jesus.

Your vocation is sacred when surrendered to Jesus.

Apostle Paul did not hesitate to continue his tentmaking trade after call that he received on the road to Damascus. That is okay if you are doing it for the Lord. Our labour in the Lord is not in vain. If you are tentmaking, if you are a clerk at a store, if you are a teacher, if you are an engineer, if you are a doctor, if you are a lab technician, if you are a homemaker; all of these things in life after the resurrection are to be done to the new master, for the Lord. Your vocation is now sanctified and a part of your calling to serve him.

Even in the Lord’s prayer we are asking our Lord to give us this day our daily bread. That is to work. Jesus is concerned with our physical provision. So he cares for the needs of the disciples in a very real way.

Take away: If you are going to go fishing, we go with Jesus.

That is Peter’s take in the letter in 1 Peter.

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

He is affirming what they are doing and reminding them that now that they are living in the light of a resurrected Saviour, they should not be fishing without Jesus’ help. The problem is not fishing, it is fishing without Jesus.

You say, “They caught nothing.” Well that is the point. You cannot go on in life without the Saviour.

John 15:5

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

He wants them to be reminded of their dependence on him for everything, even very ordinary things about life.

Serving God Through Your Profession:

• Our work is our Service to God.
• Have Integrity and Excellence in Workplace.
• Showing love and service.
• Being a witness for Christ.

Now, moving forward:

Jesus comes to the shore and the disciples did not recognize him. Jesus called out to them and addressed them as friends, in some translation it is children.

John 21:5

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

Jesus is our friend.

Jesus has qualified to be our friend. John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 21:6

He 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.

Jesus is standing on the shore, shouting, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

It is a very ordinary conversation. No they answered. Then the hopeful suggestion: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

2. Obey Jesus.

Trust and act on his word. They obeyed Jesus’ instruction and saw extraordinary results.  Ordinary commands, well within your power. It does not take any supernatural effort to throw the new on the right side. Then comes the miraculous. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Obedience is the path to fruitfulness in the Christian life.

They obey. Notice, they do not wait a minute.

Disciple come Ashore:

John 21:7-12

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. 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.” ¹¹So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat 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.

When the disciples come ashore, he has already got his own fish. Thank you very much. He is cooking it, cooking breakfast. He bakes the bread with fish and the disciples give their fish. It is a potluck breakfast. They are going to be dignified by the invitation to contribute in a small way.

So what is their contribution?

They obeyed the master’s command. They are not giving anything by themselves, they are giving something what the master has provided for them.

We bring nothing to God expect what he has first given to us; every gift we offer, every service we render, flows from his abundant provision.

John 21:13-14

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.

Early Christians enjoy the symbol of the bread and fish, bread and cup for the Lord supper. The Lord supper reminds of the suffering of Jesus. But the bread and fish is the symbol sharing with us.

See how Jesus can be our friend: Most people do not like to eat alone, we either want to have family or friends around. You don’t have to ever again eat breakfast alone, have it always with Jesus. The Lord eats with tax collectors and sinners. He loves to eat with us. We do not eat alone. We got to be repentant sinner to be welcome to the table of the King.

The real presence of Jesus is with you every day. inviting you every day to start your day with him. If all you have is a coffee and an egg, just say a grace over it and invite Jesus, acknowledge his presence with you.

Jesus Commissions Peter; John 21:15-23

This is not the first time Peter is receiving the call, see the original call:

Luke 5:4-6, 10

⁴When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

⁵Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

⁶When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

¹⁰Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

That was the original call. They left everything, of course they did. Jesus becomes prioroity.

Commissioned after the Resurrection in John 20:

John 20:21

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

This text is a renewal of that call for Peter.

John 21:15-19

¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

3. LOVE

Love Jesus. In life after the resurrection and the ministry that we do after the resurrection, love is everything. Without love nothing else matters.

Loving Jesus is the highest calling of every believer.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

¹If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Do everything in love.

Love is what matters. Love is going to be the topic of the final conversation here in the gospel of John.

V15 Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

This is a tough question to ask and a tough question to answer.

Imagine Jesus asking you, “Do you really love me more than these?”

Why was he hurt when he was asked the third time? Jesus is eliciting a three-fold confession of love to this fallen disciple who denied Christ in a three-fold denial of his love; John 18.

Jesus loves to hear you say that you love him. Tell him how much you love him. Jesus did not bench Peter, but he is using him now. Jesus is going to restore him.

Love Christ Above All Else

Peter’s restoration centered on his love for Jesus, not on his past failure.

Love is the foundation of all ministry and life.

Loving Jesus is the highest calling of every believer.

Jesus leads Peter to Serve Him

John 21:17-19

¹⁷The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

As Jesus fed Peter, He is going to feed others.

As Jesus loved Peter, He is now going to show his love for Jesus by loving those whom Jesus loves.

Peter was restored.

4. Service: Serve God Faithfully Where You Are Planted

Love Jesus.

Serve the people of God for whom Jesus gave his life.

Serving the Lord means serving people — joyfully, sacrificially, faithfully.

The Key to unlock this gospel:

John 20:30-31

³⁰Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This captures the whole of the Gospel of John. This is repeated in:

John 21:25

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

LIFE APPLICATION

Living in Light of the Resurrection

1. Work with Jesus:

Wherever God has placed you — in your profession, studies, business, or home — see your work as a sacred calling. Dedicate your skills and daily labour to Christ.

✦ Work not merely for a paycheck, but as a witness of Jesus in the marketplace.

Your vocation is sacred when surrendered to Jesus.

Am I working for my career alone, or am I offering my daily work to Jesus as worship?

Obedience:

2. Obey Jesus Promptly:

Learn to hear and respond to God’s voice, even when His commands seem ordinary or simple.

✦ Obedience is the path to fruitfulness in the Christian life.

Simple acts of obedience open the door to miraculous blessings and deeper fellowship with Christ.

3. Love Jesus Above All:

Make your love for Jesus the center of your identity. Ministry, career, or success means nothing if love for Christ is not your highest motive.
✦ Tell Him you love Him often; demonstrate it by loving and serving His people.

Loving Jesus is the highest calling of every believer.

Is my love for Jesus growing deeper every day, or have I allowed other things to take His place in my heart?

4. Serve Jesus Joyfully:

Let your life be marked by joyful service, not grumbling or reluctance.
✦ Wherever God places you — family, church, community, workplace — be His faithful servant, knowing your labour is not in vain.

Serving the Lord means serving people — joyfully, sacrificially, faithfully.

Am I serving with joy and faithfulness, using the gifts and opportunities God has given me to bless others?