The BaitShop Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > The CoffeeCorner > Keeping the Faith
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Saint John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

This site is completely supported by donations; there are no corporate sponsors. We would be honoured if you would consider a small donation, to be used exclusively for forum expenses.



Thank you, from the BaitShop Boyz!

Saint John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
Administrator
Administrator
Avatar
aka The Gipper

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 14749
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TasunkaWitko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Saint John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19
    Posted: 17 April 2013 at 05:08

I don't think I've brought this passage up before, but over the past 3 years or so, I've decided that it is probably my favourite passage in The Bible, and one that surely brings me peace. Here it is:

Quote John 21:1-19

1After [He appeared to His followers in Jerusalem,] Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and He showed Himself in this way. 2Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered Him, “No.” 6He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. 8But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

9When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.

15When 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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16A second time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to Him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this He said to him, “Follow me.”

I suppose this passage could mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but here's what it means to me.

I think about Peter, who had just lost his best friend and is full of turmoil over everything that happened. He's probably also feeling guilty and conflicted about denying Christ on the night of His betrayal, and for hiding his discipleship. And now, he has no real direction.

Where does he go? he goes fishing. Who does he see? He sees Jesus. What do they do? They grill some fish over the fire, and they dine together. Jesus asks him three times, "Do you love me?" and three times, Peter says "Yes, Lord ~ you know I do." By the third time, his guilt and inner frustration is clearly welling up inside of him and boiling over....

And three times, Jesus says words to the effect of "tend my flock." This simple command erases Peter's guilt over the denial, and also gives his life direction. Peter accepts this direction, knowing that he will be a servant of God and will eventually be martyred for it. ~ but he embraces this, and finds peace ~

That's what it means to me - it's probably not a totally correct interpretation, but isn't that what interpretations are about? When I am filled with turmoil or going through some trials, I like to go fishing; jsut to be by the water brings me peace. Even better if I am able to build a fire and cook some of my catch right there. I feel closer to God when I am fishing, and am able to sort out whatever's going on in my mind, my heart and my soul, and I am usually able to find some peace ~ It's natural that I would identify with this passage.

If anyone has anything to share, please feel free to do so ~

Ron



Edited by TasunkaWitko
TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

Helfen, Wehren, Heilen
Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.10
Copyright ©2001-2017 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.188 seconds.