Jesus Used A Charcoal Fire
Addendum to message preached at North Coast Church 13/3/22
The Bible is the Word of God written by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Its author is ultimately God Himself. It shouldn’t surprise us that every little bit is important. When we read the Bible, we have to pay attention to even the little details. Often they are there for a specific purpose and taking the time to meditate deeply results in a richness to the meaning we get from a cursory glance. John 21 is a great example of how details in the narrative are told to us not as extra information, but signposts to what the Spirit intends us to know. A helpful question to constantly ask is, “Why are we being told about this?”
This isn’t the first time Jesus provided a miraculous catch of fish.
Luke 5 is a parallel story, even to the point where Jesus asks the disciples to let down the nets after the disciples had caught nothing all night.
No sermon can explain everything there is to see in a passage. Hence here are 5 things in John 21 that hopefully will open your eyes to the unbelievable richness of the Word of God so that we can understand the gospel more fully, see Jesus more clearly, and love God more deeply.
1. The Location
Notice the first time Jesus foretold their betrayal and where restoration will take place.
Mark 14:27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Compare this to how the Sea of Tiberias (Also known as the Sea of Galilee) is specifically mentioned.
John 21:1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.
2. The Nets
Notice the first time Jesus told the disciples to let down the nets.
Luke 5:4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing!
Notice the first time that their nets were breaking.
Luke 5:6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
Compare this to how the net was not torn.
John 21:11 And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
3. Peter’s Response
Notice the first time how Peter pulled back in fear.
Luke 5:8 But when Simon Peter saw [the miraculous catch of fish], he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
Compare this to Peter’s rush to get to Jesus on the shore.
John 21:7 When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
4. The Catch
Notice the first time the disciples left everything (including the fish) to follow Jesus.
Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
Compare this to how Jesus instructed them to bring the fish to shore.
John 21:10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”
5. The Charcoal Fire
Notice the first time Peter betrayed Jesus next to a charcoal fire.
John 18:17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
Compare this to the charcoal fire already in place, with food to eat.
John 21:9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.
Questions for reflection:
How does knowing Jesus’ orchestration of events, even the little details, change your assumptions about Him?
Consider the story details that parallel past events. Does it change how you understood the passage?