Willmington, Harold

English

Liberty University Digital Commons

Liberty UniversityDigitalCommons@LibertyUniversityThe Second Person File Theological Studies3-2018The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Second MiraculousCatch of FishHarold WillmingtonLiberty University, hwillmington@liberty.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/second_personPart of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought,Theology and Philosophy of Religion CommonsThis The Miracles of Jesus Christ is brought to you for free and open access by the Theological Studies at DigitalCommons@Liberty University. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in The Second Person File by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@Liberty University. For more information,please contact scholarlycommunication@liberty.edu.Recommended CitationWillmington, Harold, "The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Second Miraculous Catch of Fish" (2018). The Second Person File. 262.http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/second_person/262MIRACLES OF JESUS THIRTY-FIVE: Second Miraculous Catch of Fish (Jn. 21:1-11)  SURVEY The context for this post-resurrection event is a third appearance of the risen Christ to some or all of His disciples. Consider the text of Matthew 4:18-20: As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him. This is the record of Christ’s call to discipleship (Follow Me.) What did Jesus specifically state they would be doing for Him? What were they doing in this episode in chapter 21? Back to fishing for fish. Jesus had told His followers to wait for the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. But why did He tell His disciples to go to Galilee? This may be the reason: to ensure that they stay on task.  I. The Fishermen on the Sea (21:1-3) A. The disciples (21:1-2) Seven of the disciples are present including Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James and John.  B. The decision (21:3) They decided to go fishing but caught nothing all night. II. The Fisher of Men on the Shore (21:4-25) A. The call (21:4-5) Standing there, unrecognized, Jesus calls out, asking they have caught any fish. They reply that they have not.  B. The command (21:6a) He tells them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. C. The catch (21:6b) Immediately the net is filled with fish! D. The comprehension (21:7) Upon learning that it was the Lord, Peter immediately jumped into the water and swam to Jesus on the shore. E. The coals (21:8-9) When all the disciples arrive, they find fish frying over a fire and some bread. F. The count (21:10-11) There are 153 fish in the net!     OBSERVATIONS  Simon Peter is famous for denying his relationship to Jesus (Jn. 18:1-18, 25-27).  Thomas is famous for denying the resurrection of Jesus (20:28).  John 2 records the first of Jesus’ miracles while John 21 records the last. John 2:11 reveals that the miracle was done for the benefit of His disciples as was this final miracle.   Fishing with nets all night and catching nothing is unusual. God clearly did not bless this effort. Apparently, they were out of the will of God.   Great was Peter’s consecration for the Lord Jesus Christ.  SIGNIFICANCE  This was Jesus' final miracle and the only one after His resurrection.  John's gospel alone records both His first and final miracle.  This is the seventh of the ten resurrection appearances made by Christ, and the third before His disciples (Jn. 21:14).  It marks the only appearance in which a miracle was involved.  Some have wrongly faulted these seven for leaving Jerusalem, accusing them of returning to their old trade of fishing. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. On two separate occasions the disciples were instructed to meet Jesus in Galilee after His resurrection!  1. First occasion: "But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee." (Mt. 26:32) 2. Second occasion: "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." (Mt. 28:5-7) Actually, the backslidden ones were the four who were not there!  In John’s gospel the sign miracles are to highlight the person and work of Messiah.  SPIRITUAL TRUTHS   Theological: Only the empowerment of Christ, the Head of the Church gives effectiveness of the Church.   Christological: Messiah will provide for the work in building His kingdom.  Historical: Our spiritual ancestors believed Jesus because their proclaiming of the gospel of Christ was effective to the point that we were evangelized.  Personal: When Christ calls you to make disciples, don’t prioritize something else.  

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Second Miraculous Catch of Fish

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The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Second Miraculous Catch of Fish

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