Walk Away From it All John 21:1-19
1. Today’s Gospel Begins by saying after these things KJV or Afterward NIV
• Today’s passage opens with the words, “After these things or Afterward
• The “things” John’s referring to are the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• From the highs of the glorious triumphal entry into Jerusalem the lows of A dark hill called Calvary, then the unexpected Resurrection
• Peter and his companions have seen it all. First, they were scared to death, and then thrilled with life: the unexpected new life in Christ that has no end.
2. Early in the Morning Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John and two other disciples
• Peter says I am going fishing the others say they will go to.
• That night they caught nothing Jesus called out “4 Jesus stood on the shore, early in the morning but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus Friends, haven’t you any fish?” The disciples said No, He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
• Jesus knows they’ve had a miserable, heart-rending night.
3. Today’s gospel lesson tells a story of some folks who walks away it’s the apostles.
• The job they walk away from is commercial fishing.
• This is the second time Peter walked away from fishing
• The first time is in Luke 5:1-11. After a long day caught nothing, Jesus invites Peter to take him out in his boat for one last try. The net comes back bursting with fish, and Jesus says to Simon, “from now on you’ll be fishers of men .”. Immediately, they leave everything and follow him. Peter James john
4. Peter walks away from fishing and swims towards Jesus once he recognizes who He is
• Then it dawns on the disciples who this man is. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that he wrapped his outer garment around him jumped in water.
• Peter dives into the sea, and swims to Jesus
• When Peter reaches the beach Jesus turns to Simon and asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
• Jesus encourages Peter to walk away from “these” Maybe Jesus is asking Peter whether he loves him more than these others love him; or he could be asking if Peter loves him more than Peter loves the others; or maybe Jesus is asking Peter whether he loves him more than he loves these fishnets will Peter walk away from those nets
• Will we walk away from These leisure moments, Will we walk away from shallow relationship and walk towards a deeper relationship
• Will we walk away from our comfort zones, a negative attitude about faith, the cares of life, the love of money, the lure of entertainment, and other desires of this world fill our soul with clutter. When our soul is filled with clutter we tend to neglect the intimate fellowship with our Lord.
5. Peter walked away from His Stuff
• His boats, his nets, his stuff and embarks on the life of an apostle.
• “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs Tend my sheep … Feed my sheep.”
• From that day forward, Peter begins to fulfill the challenge Jesus sets before him He will follow Jesus and He will give the ultimate sacrifice he will die martyr’s death in Rome.: . 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.
• The task of being a disciple will occupy Peter all his years, until he finally dies
• , he walks away from it all: boats, sails, oars, fish, and becomes fishers of men.
