Joh 21:3 | KingComments | STEP | The reason for the fishing is a remark by Peter that he is going fishing again. It seems that, now that the Lord is no longer visibly with them, following Him has also become more difficult. There is a lack of clear direction. They are no longer full of the Lord Jesus, and then certain activities they previously abandoned for Him have a chance to creep back in. For us, too, there is a great danger that by becoming impatient in waiting on the Lord, we will again start doing things that we had previously left behind for His sake. Peter cannot muster the patience to keep waiting for a command from his Master and wants to return to everyday life. He says he is going fishing and returns to the profession he had before he was called by the Lord Jesus. His example is contagious and the others follow him. By his example, Peter takes others down a wrong path. The fact that the Lord turns it all around for the better does not diminish the wrong decision of Peter. The others are likewise responsible for their own decision to follow Peter. They leave the house and get into the boat, which one of them apparently still had at his disposal. They fish all night, but without any result. Not a single fish is caught. A work is often left without results when something is done for which the Lord has not given orders. When they return to land early in the morning, He is waiting for them on the beach. They do not know, however, that it is the Lord. He knows what they have been doing. Again He takes the initiative and asks if they have anything to eat. He addresses them with the friendly word “children” which also expresses His closeness to them. This does not mean that He addresses them as ‘His’ children. Nowhere are believers called ‘children’ of the Lord Jesus. Believers are children of God. The Lord addresses them as ‘children in faith’. They still need much teaching to grow in their faith. Lack of food is always the result of taking initiatives without waiting for His guidance. Therefore, when He asks them if they have anything to eat, their answer must also be “no”. With that, they admit that they have been fishing fruitlessly all night. Then He advises them to cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat. He gives them also the assurance that they will then find what they are looking for. He assures them that this time they will not be without a catch. Without recognizing that it is the Lord, they do as He says. They do not argue with this Stranger, nor do they ask Him Who He is. There will have been a sound in His voice that gave them confidence, possibly just by addressing them as “children”. His voice made them obey. They will have noticed that He is a special Person. The catch is beyond expectation, it is more than they can bring in.

‏ John 21:3

Appearance to the Disciples

The reason for the fishing is a remark by Peter that he is going fishing again. It seems that, now that the Lord is no longer visibly with them, following Him has also become more difficult. There is a lack of clear direction. They are no longer full of the Lord Jesus, and then certain activities they previously abandoned for Him have a chance to creep back in. For us, too, there is a great danger that by becoming impatient in waiting on the Lord, we will again start doing things that we had previously left behind for His sake.

Peter cannot muster the patience to keep waiting for a command from his Master and wants to return to everyday life. He says he is going fishing and returns to the profession he had before he was called by the Lord Jesus. His example is contagious and the others follow him. By his example, Peter takes others down a wrong path. The fact that the Lord turns it all around for the better does not diminish the wrong decision of Peter. The others are likewise responsible for their own decision to follow Peter.

They leave the house and get into the boat, which one of them apparently still had at his disposal. They fish all night, but without any result. Not a single fish is caught. A work is often left without results when something is done for which the Lord has not given orders. When they return to land early in the morning, He is waiting for them on the beach. They do not know, however, that it is the Lord.

He knows what they have been doing. Again He takes the initiative and asks if they have anything to eat. He addresses them with the friendly word “children” which also expresses His closeness to them. This does not mean that He addresses them as ‘His’ children. Nowhere are believers called ‘children’ of the Lord Jesus. Believers are children of God. The Lord addresses them as ‘children in faith’. They still need much teaching to grow in their faith.

Lack of food is always the result of taking initiatives without waiting for His guidance. Therefore, when He asks them if they have anything to eat, their answer must also be “no”. With that, they admit that they have been fishing fruitlessly all night. Then He advises them to cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat. He gives them also the assurance that they will then find what they are looking for. He assures them that this time they will not be without a catch.

Without recognizing that it is the Lord, they do as He says. They do not argue with this Stranger, nor do they ask Him Who He is. There will have been a sound in His voice that gave them confidence, possibly just by addressing them as “children”. His voice made them obey. They will have noticed that He is a special Person. The catch is beyond expectation, it is more than they can bring in.