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This last chapter is a wonderful ending to John’s divinely inspired book. It shows the risen Yeshua meeting His disciples by the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee – which is actually a freshwater lake – not a saltwater sea. It reveals Yeshua’s continued care, His power to provide, His call to serve, and His grace to restore. John closes his book reminding us of the unrecorded greatness of Yeshua, who continues to work in and through His people.

Again, notice the many details, along with the detailed dialogue. This lets us know this is an eyewitness, historical account. These things really happened.

Later, Yeshua 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 Yeshua 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 Yeshua loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” Again, John, the author of our book, an apostle, sent by the Son of God as His representative; John, one of the greatest men who ever lived, out of great humility, doesn’t refer to himself by name. He refers to himself in reference to Yeshua. He is the disciple Yeshua loved. This also teaches us that John’s life, John’s identify, was centered in his relationship to Yeshua and Yeshua’s love for him. For John, the most important thing about himself wasn’t his accomplishments, his position or even his name. The greatest truth about him was that he was loved by Yeshua. That was his identity. And it should be ours too.

Too often, we root our identity in things that can shift or fade – our job, our abilities, our wealth, our successes, our appearance, our reputation, our family roles. But all of those things can change in an instant. The one thing that never changes is the love of Messiah. When we belong to Yeshua, we can say with confidence: “I am the disciple Yeshua loves.” That’s how we should understand who we are at the deepest level, and that truth gives identity, worth, security and joy.

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,” Yeshua 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!” Yeshua said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Yeshua served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Yeshua had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

Recognition Comes Through Revelation: The disciples didn’t recognize Yeshua at first. It was only after the miracle that John exclaimed, “It’s the Lord!” Often, we don’t see God clearly until He opens our eyes through His Word or His works. Stay spiritually alert – He is close, wanting to reveal more of Himself to you.

Yeshua Meets Us In Everyday Life: Some of the disciples had returned to their old work – fishing. Yet Yeshua met them there. Yeshua doesn’t only appear in spiritual places but enters our ordinary moments. Expect the Lord, by means of His Spirit, to be with you in your daily life. Listen for His voice speaking to you whatever you are doing.

Without God, Human Effort Falls Short: The disciples fished all night and didn’t catch anything. Without Yeshua’s direction, even hard work can be fruitless. We must humbly seek the Lord’s guidance in all things – ministry, relationships and work – knowing that success comes not merely by our effort, but by obedience to His voice and reliance on His power.

Obedience Brings Blessing: At Yeshua’s command, the disciples cast their net again and experienced overwhelming success. When we listen and act on the Lord’s instruction, even when it doesn’t make sense, He blesses our obedience. God honors those who trust Him enough to do what He says, even in the small things.

God’s Blessing Is Full But Doesn’t Damage: The net was overflowing with 153 large fish, yet it didn’t tear. Wealth can harm us. It can be a deadly trap. However, God’s blessings, when given in His way and His time, won’t harm us. The Lord knows our limits and protects us under the weight of what He provides if we trust Him and keep looking to Him.

Yeshua Provides Physical And Spiritual Food For Us: When the disciples came ashore, Yeshua had already prepared a breakfast of fish and bread for them. Yeshua not only meets our physical/material needs but invites us to have a relationship with Him. He wants to eat with us, be with us, have fellowship with us. Don’t just believe in Yeshua. Don’t just serve Yeshua. Be with Him, commune with Him, receive daily spiritual nourishment from Him.

The Lord Served His Disciples A Breakfast Of Bread And Fish: The disciples didn’t serve Messiah breakfast. The King of kings and Lord of lords served them breakfast. Even in His resurrection glory, Yeshua remains the Servant. The Lord of glory humbly served His followers, reminding us that greatness in God’s kingdom is found in humility and love. If the risen Messiah serves us, how much more should we serve one another?

Peter’s Bold Love Still Needed Improvemet: Peter jumped into the water to reach Yeshua first – full of passion, yet still recovering from his earlier failure. Let’s not let past mistakes prevent us from coming to Him. Let’s swim to Yeshua, seek Yeshua – even if we’re still recovering from past failures. We will find Him very forgiving.

John Records That Yeshua Appeared Three Times After His Resurrection. Yeshua’s three appearances to the disciples confirm the reality of His resurrection. One appearance might be dismissed as a vivid imagination. Two appearances might still leave questions, but three prove Yeshua’s resurrection was beyond doubt. This is consistent with the Torah’s requirement that truth be established by “two or three witnesses.” And Yeshua’s three appearances reveal His patience and grace. His disciples were fearful and slow to believe, yet He returned again and again to strengthen their faith.

After breakfast Yeshua 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,” Yeshua told him. Yeshua 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,” Yeshua said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Yeshua asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Yeshua said, “Then feed my sheep.

Ministry Flows From Love And Devotion: Before Peter was told to serve, he was asked to love. Ministry must come from a heart of love and devotion, not ambition. The order matters: love Yeshua first, then care for His people. Desire for service without love for Yeshua will eventually cause us to run dry.

Ministry Involves Both Feeding And Protecting: Yeshua’s commands to Peter include “feed” and “take care of” His sheep. We are called to feed others, to nourish others with God’s Word and we are called to take care of others – to protect them from harm. When we see them doing something foolish or dangerous, we talk to them. Ministry is more than teaching – it’s loving, guarding, guiding, and helping people through life’s challenges.

Love For Yeshua Requires Action: Yeshua didn’t just ask Peter if he loved Him – He commanded him to care for His people. Love for the Messiah isn’t just emotional or verbal. It must be expressed through faithful service to others. Love is proven by obedience to Yeshua command to love and serve God’s people.

Yeshua Restores Not Rejects: Peter denied Yeshua three times. Instead of rejecting Peter because of his three failures, the Lord gently restores him. Yeshua gives him three opportunities to affirm his love for Him. Even when we fail, God wants to renew us and restore us to service. His mercy gives us another chance to fulfill our calling. And we should do the same to others who have failed.

Repetition Communicates Importance: When God repeats something, it’s important. Yeshua’s threefold question, “Do you love Me?” was meant to show Peter the importance of faithful love for the Lord. God often speaks more than once when something is critical to our growth. We must pay attention to repeated truths in Scripture and when God speaks repeatedly to us about things in our lives.

“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 will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Yeshua said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Yeshua told him, “Follow me.”

Following Yeshua May Lead To Suffering, Even Death: Yeshua told Peter that his future would include hardship and martyrdom. Church tradition tells us that Peter was crucified in Rome during Nero’s persecution, and that he asked to be crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to die in the same way his Lord did. The path of discipleship isn’t always comfortable. Faith means following Messiah even when it costs us, even costs us dearly. Obedience may involve pain and death, but it brings glory to God and eternal reward for the faithful.

Our Lives And Deaths Can Glorify God: Yeshua’s life and death honored God. Yeshua reveals that Peter’s death would also honor God. This shows that in suffering and dying, we can bring honor to God. The way we live and the way we endure trials and the way we die matter. Let’s ask God to make our entire life and our death a testimony to His glory.

Following Yeshua No Matter The Cost: Peter once lived freely, but Yeshua told him that others would one day dress him and lead him where he didn’t want to go. His future would include suffering, pain and death, yet Yeshua ended with the same call as in the beginning: “Follow Me.” This shows us that we are not ultimately in control – God is. Discipleship is not a call to comfort but to faithfulness. Our task is to surrender our plans and desires to His will and follow wherever He leads us – and God may lead us into suffering and death.

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Yeshua loved – the one who had leaned over to Yeshua during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Yeshua, “What about him, Lord?” Yeshua replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Yeshua said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Yeshua’s Words Must Be Understood Carefully: A rumor spread from a misunderstood statement of Yeshua that John wouldn’t die. Even sincere believers can misinterpret what Yeshua says. Always return to what Yeshua actually said, not what we assume He meant. We must handle God’s Word with care – reading in context and seeking the right understanding.

Don’t Compare Your Calling To Others: Yeshua told Peter His future. When Peter asked about John’s future, Yeshua responded, “What is that to you? Follow Me.” Each believer has a unique calling from the Lord. Comparing our calling to others leads to wrong valuations, jealousy and disappointment. Our responsibility is not to compare our lives and accomplishments to someone else. It is to listen carefully to what the Lord is asking us to do and stay faithful to our calling.

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

This Book Is Based On Eyewitness Testimony: John emphasizes that he witnessed these events and accurately recorded them. Our faith isn’t built on myth or legend or inaccurate, second hand information, but on real and true and accurate history. Trust in the reliability of not only this book, but all of Scripture, knowing it comes from those who, like John, encountered God and faithfully recorded the truth.

Accuracy In Teaching God’s Word Matters: John states that his account is accurate. God values accuracy and truthfulness in all things – especially when handling His Word. As followers of Yeshua, we must teach with integrity, avoiding exaggeration or distortion. Accuracy builds trust and helps others clearly see who Yeshua really is.

God Uses Faithful Witnesses To Build Faith: John’s testimony that is contained in this book helped establish Messiah’s Community and has continued to strengthen believers for 2000 years. God works through faithful people who share what they’ve seen and heard. To serve God we don’t need to be famous, like John – just faithful. Let’s others our story and what we know about Yeshua, so they can come to know and trust Yeshua.

Yeshua also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

Yeshua’s Greatness Exceeds What’s Able To Be Written: John ends by reminding us that his book reveals only a tiny sample of all the great things Yeshua said and did. They were way too numerous to record. Since not everything Yeshua did is recorded, we’re reminded that His greatness is inexhaustible. We should never think we’ve “arrived” in knowing Him but keep seeking Him, learning more about His wisdom, power and greatness.

Scripture Is Sufficient But Not Exhaustive: Though not everything Yeshua did is recorded, we’re given what we need to believe and follow Him. God’s Word is complete in purpose, if not in detail. Trust the Bible as fully sufficient for faith, for salvation and for godly living,

Let’s pray:

Abba Father, we thank You for sending Yeshua, our risen Messiah, who meets us in our daily lives and helps us overcome our failures. Thank You that following Him is a lifelong journey of obedience, restoration and surrender.

We thank You that through Yeshua’s sacrifice and love we are invited into communion with Him and with You.

Heavenly Father, work in us so we serve from love, feed and protect Your sheep, and remain faithful even when what You ask us to endure is hard. May our lives and even our deaths bring You honor.

Prevent us from comparing our lives and ministries to others and focus on being faithful to our own call.

Thank You for the truth of Your Word and for the testimony of Your servant John.

Strengthen us daily to hear and obey Yeshua’s call, “Follow Me,” with renewed love, trust, and willingness to serve. Amen.