10/01/2026
Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish? ”No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So, Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. "Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others[f] will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
John 21:1-18
After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples went fishing but caught nothing. When Jesus appeared on the shore, He told them where to cast their net, and they caught a great number of fish. This reminded them that success comes from obeying Jesus, not relying on their own strength.
The focus of the chapter is Peter's restoration. Peter had denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion. Now Jesus asks him three times, "Do you love me?" Each time Peter responds that Jesus gives him a ministry assignment: "Feed my sheep." Instead of condemning Peter for his failure, Jesus restores him and recommissions him for service.
The chapter ends with Jesus calling Peter to stop comparing himself to others and simply follow Him.
Jesus meets us in our failures.
Obedience to Jesus brings fruitfulness.
God restores those who repent.
Love for Jesus is the foundation of ministry.
Our responsibility is not to compare ourselves with others, but to faithfully follow Christ.
John 21 is a beautiful picture of grace. Peter failed greatly, but Jesus restored him and gave him a purpose. The same Jesus who restored Peter can restore us and call us to a life of faithful service and discipleship.
Your failure does not define you; you are never TOO BROKEN for God. Your failure is not the end of your story, bring it to God and watch what a little GRACE can do!
