John 21: Triggered Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “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. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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. 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. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 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. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21 The Question: What Does Jesus Do with Failures? Jesus’s Response to Peter’s Failure 1. He Truth: God doesn’t wait for us to fix things—He moves toward us in grace Implication: You are not the one who starts restoration—Jesus is 2. Jesus Makes It About “Do you love me?” becomes the central question Not performance, not failure—love Warning: We can love what we do for Jesus more than we love Jesus Heart Check: If you could do nothing for God… would you still want Him? Truth: A restored relationship with Jesus must be built on love, not activity 3. He Invites Peter to for Him Again “Feed my sheep” = Peter is recommissioned Failure does not disqualify him Truth: Jesus doesn’t just forgive—He restores purpose Application: We are called to love and care for God’s people Loving Jesus includes loving His church Challenge: You cannot love the groom and reject the bride 4. Jesus Confronts Failure with Three denials → three affirmations Jesus directly addresses Peter’s failure—but with grace Truth: Peter is not in the doghouse The penalty has already been paid at the cross Identity: The church is made up of forgiven sinners, not perfect people Our Identity: A Kingdom Built by Grace No one earns their place in God’s family No one is beyond His grace Truth: We don’t stand above others—we stand as recipients of mercy Our Calling: A Culture of Grace We receive grace from Jesus We extend grace to others Application: In our relationships In the church In a world desperate for mercy Personal Reflection What is a “charcoal fire” moment in your life—a failure that still feels vivid or defining? When you think about that moment, what do you assume Jesus thinks of you? Why is it often easier to believe that God forgives others than to believe He forgives you? Do you tend to define your relationship with God more by what you do for Him or by your love for Him? If all your roles, responsibilities, or ministry opportunities were taken away, what would your relationship with Jesus look like? Scripture & Understanding Why do you think Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” instead of confronting his failure directly? What is significant about Jesus asking the question three times? What does Peter’s restoration teach us about how God deals with sin and failure? Application & Community What does it look like, practically, to “feed” or care for others in the church? Is there someone in your life (or in the church) that you’ve struggled to extend grace to? What would it look like to take a step toward them this week?