After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus, Jesus appeared to Simon Peter and some of his disciples (John 21). This happened at the sea of Tiberias, where Simon Peter and others were by the sea. Simon Peter was a fisherman, and when he went out on the boat, the others went with him. They were out on the boat all night and caught no fish. When it was morning Christ Jesus was on the shore, but they did not know who he was. Christ Jesus called to them asking if they had fish. The men on the boat answered no. Christ Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side. When they did this, their nets were so full they could not draw them in. Simon Peter responded to this with “It is the Lord.”
I would like to address the fact that this happened after the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus had last seen the disciples in the room where the disciples had hidden themselves because they feared being killed. Christ Jesus appeared to them even though the doors were closed. All were presented except Thomas. Christ Jesus spoke “Peace be with you”. In addition to this Christ Jesus instructed them. Then said Jesus to them again, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you (John 20:21).” Christ Jesus then said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost (John 20:22).” Thomas who had not been with them would not believe unless he saw for himself and so eight days later Christ Jesus appeared to them again even though the doors were closed. Christ Jesus showed himself to Thomas and the others, and asked Thomas if he now believed.
Christ Jesus instructed the disciples by saying “I send you”. Remember their instructions before Christ Jesus was crucified. Christ Jesus said to them before he was crucified, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8)”. According to the Holy Bible, Christ Jesus also said the following:
Mark 16:15-18
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
17 "These signs [fn] will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Christ Jesus also empowered them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12)”.
After the resurrection of Christ Jesus, the disciples were expected to carry on the work that Christ Jesus had begun, and here they were fishing. There is nothing wrong with fishing. I do not think that was the problem here. I know that Simon Peter fished many times after becoming a disciple. I truly believe that Christ Jesus was confronting Simon Peter after Peter had denied him before the crucifixion.
Matthew 26:75 - And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
In addition, I think that Christ Jesus was trying to make sure that Simon Peter did not abandon his discipleship to Christ Jesus. When the men fished and their nets were empty, Simon Peter was doing things his way. When Christ Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side, and their nets were full, Christ Jesus was showing them that they had to do things his way.
When the men arrived to shore, Christ Jesus was waiting with fish and bread on a fire. After they had eaten, Christ Jesus ask Simon Peter if he loved him three times.
John 21:15-18
15So when 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." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." 16He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep. 18"Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." 19Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!"
Christ Jesus wanted to make sure that Peter did not abandon his discipleship to Christ Jesus, and wanted Peter to continue to heal and preach. I do think that all are called to serve Christ Jesus. I know that everything that we do must be Holy Bible based. As for myself, I know that I am supposed to hold a job and preach. I know this for others also. God Creator chose the path for each of us. We are to worship God Creator and Christ Jesus of Nazareth. We are also to do all things while we keep God’s commandments. We are all supposed to be followers of Christ Jesus. I also know that the path that God Creator has me on is just for me. God Creator created me for a time such as this, just as the Holy Bible says, and all that I do is based on positioning from God, and no one else is to do the mission that he has for me. God Creator has a different mission for them. God equips each of us differently according to his purpose.
In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray and request in accordance with the Holy Bible that Christ Jesus hear my request. I pray and request that Christ Jesus lead us and guide us, and equip us accordingly. Help us to remember all that you have taught us. Look and see who and what is trying to hinder us or lead us astray and issue correction and justice. I pray and request that Christ Jesus never give up on us, and continue to seek us out. I pray and request for restoration and compensation. I pray and request for special protection and consideration and justice where there are those who have purposely tried to make someone fall from the grace of God. I pray this request using the power and authority of God the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Christ Jesus of Nazareth, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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