Thoughts on the Gospel of John (215) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord! Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.
John 21:7–9

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (215)
Jesus is standing on the shore, showing His disciples where to fish. How merciful He is! He doesn’t want them to toil in vain.

But don’t any of the seven men notice that it is Jesus who has addressed them? Apparently, it takes longer for someone to speak up, and it is only after the net is overflowing that John does so. He has good discernment, perhaps because he knows the Lord best. In any case, he always knows himself as loved by Him. Peter, with his characteristic temperament, immediately springs into action when he hears that it is the Lord. He is powerfully drawn to Him. His great sin – of denying the Lord three times – has long since been forgiven. Jesus personally met him on the day of His resurrection to clarify things between them (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5).

As different as Peter and John are in their characters, so too is their “language of love” for the Lord: only Peter throws himself into the sea. But both maintain a good relationship with each other, which is also evident in other passages from John’s Gospel (13:24; 20:2). We can learn from this.

We also learn that those who have been successful do not need to pride themselves on it. Firstly, the Lord sends the “fish” into the net and secondly, He is not dependent on our “fish”. All provision is from His hand.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Ecclesiastes 9:1-18 · Mark 6:30-44