JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF THE SON (Series)
-through the eyes of John
Always Faithful
John Chapter 21
By David Wright
We read in John 21:1-3 that Jesus disciples went fishing (if you look at the way Peter said, "Lets go fishing." It sounds like they were still mourning Jesus but needed something to get their minds off of their loss) and they did not catch anything all night. In verse four it says that Jesus stood on the shore but the disciples did not realize it was him.
"He called out to them, 'Friends, have you any fish?' 'No," they answered. 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." John 21:5-6
In these verses we see God's faithfulness in blessing His disciples when they are obedient to His commands. Even though we cannot see the end result of the commands He gives us, we must first be obedient and then He will bless us for our faithfulness in being obedient.
"Then 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. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards."
Jesus gets His disciples attention by doing something that they would recognize only He could do. Peter takes his outer garment and swims the 300 feet to shore with the others towing the payload of fish. How many times does God display His faithfulness and we don't even recognize it. That is how faithful He is! His faithfulness is always so strong and unfailing especially when we choose to walk in and of ourselves. God will tap us on the shoulder and get our attention like Jesus did to the disciples.
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying. 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21
This is just one example of God's faithfulness.
Now let's look at the disciples' faithfulness and see the lesson we can learn:
"When they had finished eating,(see verses 9-12) Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me?' He answered,'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.' The third time He said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you truly 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.' John 21:15-17a
I see this as a test of faith and a reminder to Peter. Jesus was testing Peter's faith because earlier Peter had denied Jesus before the crucifixion. Jesus is also reminding Peter of his prior fall so that his resolve will be firmer and his faith stronger. That is being faithful, full of faith. God tests us in order to prove us. He sets us up for success, not failure. When we want to be in control of our lives and take the helm, we will fail. We may go through small failures in our life, but when we step aside and allow God to take control of our lives, in the eternal picture, we will be successful because He is always faithful. In verse 19 Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me." We need to follow the examples of faithfulness that we have been given for our building up and encouragement.
The ultimate example that continues is God's constant faithfulness to us:
"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
We should be faithful because He is faithful. Have faith in God, for God has faith in you!
Application: Let’s examine our faithfulness to God, Have we followed through with what He has commanded us to do? If we have lacked in the area of faithfulness let’s repent and renew our love for God that is seen through obedience.