John Bible Study - Lesson 52
Read the passage
below using the 2 different Bible translations:
John
20:30-31New International Version (NIV)
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed
many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded
in this book. 31 But these are written that you may
believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John
21:1-14 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
21 Afterward Jesus
appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon
Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in
Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were
together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter
told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into
the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the
morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it
was Jesus.
5 He called out to
them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,”
they answered.
6 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.
7 Then the
disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as
Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment
around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The
other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they
were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When
they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on
it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to
them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”11 So
Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full
of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus
said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared
ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.13 Jesus
came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This
was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised
from the dead.
John
20:30-31New Living Translation (NLT)
Purpose of the Book
30 The disciples
saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in
this book. 31 But these are written so that you may
continue to believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his
name.
John
21:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT)
Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
21 Later, Jesus
appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.[a] This is how it happened. 2 Several
of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),[b] Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.
3 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.
4 At dawn Jesus
was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He
called out, “Fellows,[c] have you caught any fish?”
“No,”
they replied.
6 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.
7 Then the
disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” 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. 8 The others
stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only
about a hundred yards[d] from shore. 9 When
they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a
charcoal fire, and some bread.
10 “Bring some of
the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So
Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large
fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.
12 “Now come and
have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him,
“Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.13 Then Jesus
served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the
third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from
the dead.
Note:
Here are the 3
questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the
questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first
yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask
God to help you understand what you are reading.
3
questions to answer:
1. Content: What
is this passage about?
2. Lesson: What
do I learn from this passage?
3. Application: How
can I apply what I have learned to my life?
Answers
to the questions above and some background:
Content: What is this passage about?
·
John
writes about the purpose of his gospel.
·
John
reminds us that not all the miracles/signs Jesus performed were included in his
gospel writings.
·
Peter
and some other disciples decide to go fishing.
·
They
fished all night and did not catch anything.
·
At
dawn Jesus was sitting on the beach but the disciples did not know it was Him.
·
Jesus
called out to them, asking if they had caught any fish.
·
Jesus
tells them to throw out their net on the right-hand side of the boat.
·
The
disciples did as Jesus told them and they caught so many fish in the net it was
too heavy haul in.
·
John
points out to Peter that it was Jesus who spoke to them from the shore.
·
Peter
then jumps into the water and swims toward Jesus.
·
The
rest of the disciples headed with the boat and the catch to the shore where
Jesus was cooking breakfast.
·
Jesus
tells Peter to go get some of the fish the disciples caught.
·
Peter
drags the net from the boat to the shore. In the net had 153 fish in it.
·
Jesus
tells the disciples to join Him for breakfast.
·
The
disciples knew it was Jesus and joined Him for breakfast.
·
This
was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised
from the dead.
Lesson: What
do I learn from this passage?
·
John tells us
why he wrote his gospel:
John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in
the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have
life in his name.
·
Jesus
appeared to His disciples for the third time. Here below is a link for the possible time line for Jesus’ post resurrection
appearances. (From Answers in Genesis)
https://assets.answersingenesis.org/img/articles/aid/v7/timeline.gif
Eleven different
appearances of our risen Lord are recorded in the New Testament:
(From Christiananswers.net)
·
To
Mary Magdalene at
the sepulcher alone.
This is recorded at length only by John (20:11-18), and
alluded to by Mark (16:9-11).
·
To
certain women, “the other Mary,” Salome, Joanna,
and others, as they returned from the sepulcher. Matthew (28:1-10) alone gives
an account of this. (Compare Mark 16:1-8, and Luke 24:1-11.)
·
To Simon Peter alone
on the day of the resurrection.
(See Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5.)
·
To
the two disciples on
the way to Emmaus on
the day of the resurrection, recorded fully only by Luke (24:13-35. Compare Mark 16:12,13).
·
To
the ten disciples (Thomas being
absent) and others “with them,” at Jerusalem on
the evening of the resurrection day. One of the evangelists
gives an account of this appearance, John (20:19-24).
·
To
the disciples again (Thomas being
present) at Jerusalem (Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:33-40; John 20:26-28. See
also 1 Cor. 15:5).
·
To
the disciples when fishing at
the Sea of
Galilee. Of this appearance also John (21:1-23)
alone gives an account.
·
To
the eleven, and above 500 brethren at once, at an appointed place in Galilee (1 Cor. 15:6; compare Matt. 28:16-20).
·
To James,
but under what circumstances we are not informed (1 Cor. 15:7).
·
To
the apostles immediately
before the ascension.
They accompanied him from Jerusalem to
Mount Olivet, and there they saw him ascend “till a cloud received him out of
their sight” (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:4-10).
·
It
is worthy of note that it is distinctly related that on most of these occasions
our Lord afforded his disciples the amplest opportunity of testing the fact of
his resurrection. He conversed with them face to face. They touched him (Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:27), and
he ate bread with
them (Luke 24:42,43; John 21:12,13).
·
In
addition to the above, mention might be made of Christ's manifestation of
himself to Paul at Damascus,
who speaks of it as an appearance of the risen Savior (Acts 9:3-9, 17; 1 Cor. 15:8; 9:1).
·
It
is implied in the words of Luke (Acts 1:3) that there
may have been other appearances of which we have no record.
So
why is it important to highlight Jesus’ post resurrection appearance?
Having
eyewitness evidence of Jesus’ post resurrection appearances provides us the
proof that Jesus rose from the dead and accomplished God’s plan of salvation.
Salvation: God sent Jesus to deliver us from
the penalty of sin. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, the shedding of His
blood as a sacrifice to cover our sin, sin is no longer is counted against us.
Jesus paid the price for our sin and God accepted what Jesus did. Jesus resurrection proves God has the power to
raise us from death to life.
Here is man’s
problem: We are all separated from God
Isaiah
59:2 New Living Translation (NLT)
It’s your sins
that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has
turned away and will not listen anymore.
Romans
3:23 English Standard Version (ESV)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God
Romans
3:10 New International Version (NIV)
As
it is written:
“There is no one
righteous, not even one;
Because our
works and deeds cannot save us, God provided a way for us to be rescued from
the consequences of our sin that keeps us separated from Him.
Jesus is that
way:
Ephesians
2:8-9 New International Version (NIV)
For
it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith—and this is
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can
boast.
2
Timothy 1:8-9 New International Version (NIV)
8 So do not be
ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his
prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the
power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of
anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This
grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
Romans
10:10-13 New International Version (NIV)
10 For it is with
your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that
you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As
Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[a] 12 For
there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of
all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for,
“Everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord will be saved.”[b]
John
14:6 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus
answered, “I am the
way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.
·
Jesus
performs another miracle/sign. The disciples fished all night and did not catch
anything. Then in the morning Jesus told them where to fish and 153 fish went
into the net. Jesus displays His power and compassion for His disciples. In a way,
this sign reminds me of Noah’s Ark where God miraculously brought the animals
to Noah who received the animals and brought them into the Ark. Here, God
provided supernaturally and only through His power could this event have
happened. Also, remember another miracle/sign of provision; Jesus fed the 5000
providing for all those who were hungry. Jesus saw the need of all those people:
Matthew
9:36New
International Version (NIV)
When
he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed
and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
·
The
point is, God provides for His people out
of compassion and love and to fulfill in a variety of ways His plan and purpose.
Remember: God
knows exactly what we need and when we need it:
Matthew
6:7-8 New Living Translation (NLT)
7 “When you pray,
don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are
answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t
be like them, for your Father knows
exactly what you need even before you ask him!
God will provide
when we pursue His provision:
Luke
12:31 New Living Translation (NLT)
31 Seek the Kingdom
of God above all else, and he will give
you everything you need.
God has the
power to provide supernaturally and does amazing work in us and through us: (This is evident in the ministry of Jesus’
Apostles after He ascended into Heaven)
Ephesians
3:20 New Living Translation (NLT)
Now
all glory to God, who is able, through
his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might
ask or think.
Acts
2:41 New Living Translation (NLT)
Those who
believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about
3,000 in all.
·
This
meal that Jesus provided for His disciples on the shore reminds us that He also
desires to satisfy His people with His presence.
Personal
interaction with Jesus has its benefits:
Matthew
11:28-30 New International Version (NIV)
28 “Come to
me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me, for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my
yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus tells us
that prayer and petition are an important part of that personal interaction:
Matthew
7:7-8 New International Version (NIV)
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to
you. 8 For
everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who
knocks, the door will be opened.
Also, spending
time with God and His Word is beneficial and equips followers of Jesus to serve
God in all that He has called them to do:
Philippians
4:6-7 New International Version (NIV)
6 Do not be
anxious about anything, but in
every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2
Timothy 3:16-17 New International Version (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a]may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work.
Because Jesus eventually
ascended back to heaven, He promised The Holy Spirit would be sent to help all believers.
The Holy Spirit will equip God’s people to be His witnesses of the good news throughout
the world:
John
14:15-17 Living Bible (TLB)
15-16 “If you love me,
obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads
into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, for it isn’t looking
for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, for he lives with you now and some day shall be in you.
Acts 1:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We are commanded
to share the gospel and Jesus promises to always be with us: (The presence of
Jesus in our lives reflects His desire to be in a personal relationship with
us)
Matthew
28:18-20 New International Version (NIV)
18 Then Jesus came
to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me. 19 Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
When we obey
Jesus’ commands we show our love and reverence for Him. Jesus tells us that through
this obedience we can have an intimate personal encounter with the triune
nature of God (God, Son & Holy Spirit):
John
14:21 New International Version (NIV)
Whoever
has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will
love them and show myself to them.”
John
14:23 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus
replied, “Anyone who loves me will
obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to
them and make our home with them.
When the
disciples encountered Jesus on the shore the first thing that Jesus did was to
invite them to share in a meal that Jesus Himself provided. Then Jesus asks
Peter to bring more fish to the meal. Remember when Jesus told Peter and Andrew
to follow Him and be fishers of men:
Matthew
4:18-19 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
18 While walking
by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter)
and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And
he said to them, “Follow me, and I
will make you fishers of men.”
Jesus asks His
followers to bring people the good news. The good news is the meal that feeds
people the spiritual truth about God and His plan to rescue people from their
sin. Jesus desires that we will be satisfied with the spiritual meal He
provides.
Jesus tells us
about the importance of being spiritually fed:
John
6:35 New International Version (NIV)
35 Then Jesus
declared, “I am the bread of
life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever
believes in me will never be thirsty.
We all go
through life with a hunger and thirst for truth and something that will satisfy
us. Jesus tells us that He can fill that God-sized hole we are missing.
So this
encounter the disciples had with Jesus is more than just a meal. In the same
way our encounters with Jesus can be the answer to what we really need.
Concluding
remark:
Thank God we
have a Savior Who will not only save us from eternal separation from God due to
our sin, but will continually provide the spiritual need in our lives that will
help live abundantly in a fallen world.
Next time the
final Bible lesson from the Gospel of John.
Application: How
can I apply what I have learned to my life?
·
Desire
to have personal encounters with Jesus.
·
Make
sure you are getting spiritually fed.
·
Share
the stories of God changing you from the inside out.
·
Invite
Jesus into your daily life.
Don’t forget:
John’s main
purpose in writing this Gospel:
·
To
tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles
·
The
events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life
John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in
the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have
life in his name.
Questions
to ponder:
·
What
are you “fishing” for?
·
What
do you hope to catch?
·
What
do you think you really need to live an abundant life?
·
Will
you ask Jesus to provide for you the things you really need?
·
Do
you desire to be spiritually fed?
·
Where
are you getting your spiritual nourishment?
·
Do
you believe Jesus can satisfy your spiritual need?
Have a great
week…………….Dave
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