It should also be noted, though John outran Peter to the tomb, here, Peter is the first to respond, out swimming them all to shore, impatient to come in the slow dinghy (leaving the larger boat behind), with John and the others dragging their fish. Upon arriving, and quick to obey, he has to return for the fish they had failed to bring. Again many truths here, e.g., Christ does not expect us to come to His table empty handed, but with an offering from that which He has abundantly provided. (Look for others.) Hard toil all night rewarded by a catch provided by the Master. Just one more cast boys, to produce the "BIG ONE!"

An invitation to a morning meal prepared by the Master. What a scene! Have we not all been there? Smell the fire? Hear its crackle, and see the sparks as they dance upward in the smoke at the prod of the Master's hand on this crisp spring Galilean morning. A stranger's call resonates across the water, "COME. DINE." ("AND" not seen in original.) "COME" = duete, meaning, "hither over, here, come." Same usage in His invitation from toil in Mat.11:28. (See its use found also in Rev.19:7-10.) Remember as well His call to Lazarus in Ch.11? "DINE" = aristao, meaning, "to breakfast," or "break fast," implying end of fast from intermission of rest from previous meal on prior day. "BREAK - FAST" found only 3 times in N.T.: here and Lk.11:37. Once in O.T., in Gen.43:46. Hebrew form = akal, meaning, "to eat." (Joseph's reunion meal in Egypt with his elder brothers and Benjamin.) Study these 3 passages in Genesis, John, & Revelation for deeper insight space here does not permit.

Note the reverent approach in humility and silence of these disciples to their Master now. There is an awe seen here unlike anytime before. They are at last coming into a fuller knowledge and faith of their Lord as God to be reverenced. John first recognized Him; Peter came and confirmed it, and now they all are in total awareness and awe. The Master who commanded the fish for their catch, here, now, in service to seven men for a meal. This will probably be their last together. Who would dare speak in this holy moment?

They stand distant and speechless at His closeness by this morning fire. Notice, He has to come to them, bringing their fish and toast. Received in reverence, quiet in consumption, eyes dazzling with awe, overwhelmed in the mystery of this moment, they dine together! Idle chatter unwelcome here, as their souls soak in the privilege of their undeserved position in the presence of this Holy One -- souls flooded with the Presence of the Morning Star now seen shining brighter than ever before! Here is a beautiful portrait of the true worshiper coming into His Sanctuary for feeding! Think on this. See the spiritual implications of these teachings, especially our approach in worship.

(Take a moment to note your own thoughts for His insight to you and future study.)

This the 3rd appearance to the disciples as a group -- the first on the first Sunday (20:19) and the second 8 days later (20:26). Other individual appearances excluded in John's numbering. (See above Background Info.) What John has now shown is that Jesus, even in His resurrected body, is more than the believed apparitional aeon of the heretical teachings of the Gnostics of his day -- spirits incapable of this degree of interrelation with the physical world. Jesus was human and now is in His glorified form, having received the answer to His previous prayer.

In the days of King Arthur the proven servant honored for service would kneel before his lord to feel the gentle touch of his royal sword upon his shoulder for knighthood, set apart as a loyal subject in his lord's kingdom to serve him, even with his very life. Peter now stands on the threshold of receiving his commission, called into a far nobler service than any Earthly gallant one. Peter's three responses to his Lord's questions of loyalty and love show him now, like Arthur's knight, bowed in humility, no longer a braggart boastful of his superiority to any other. He is no better, but no less than all others. Phileo love -- that of a loyal friend and no more! Honest now in his distinction as mere mortal man like all others; humble in his demeanor toward service, unlike his overzealous attitude of days past. His response to Christ's third request: "THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE" clearly revealing the honesty of his heart and acknowledgment of Christ's discernment of his innermost thoughts. Here is seen the bankruptcy of man's pride and a vessel finally fit to be filled to overflowing with His love, unmingled any longer with the contaminate of the leaven of the Pharisee: Hypocrisy. (Compare Mk.14:29, Lk.12:1 with this admission. He has now been fully sifted for service!)

At first he will feed the little ones (lambs), then shepherd the flock, after himself having grown and gained in experience and faithful in stewardship, and finally he will feed all His sheep, no longer just lambs, or little ones (new Christians), but those sheep now more matured, ready for reproduction, soul-winners. As his love grows from submission, his duties will increase proportionately in service. It is no different for today's disciple.

Whether there is a connection here in Jesus' three inquiries of Peter's love now and his three denials earlier, it cannot be said. It is inconceivable to me if he had already had his denials dealt with at their first meeting (Lk.23:34), that Christ would be so casual and cruel to again play upon his emotions of this newly healed spiritual wound. My Lord is not like that! We should always be extremely careful when interpreting Scripture, that we understand as much as possible the dynamics of the ontext before jumping to what seems an obvious conclusion. Having said that, I must now reluctantly offer my "opinion" that Christ is here, clearly to me, dissecting away all hypocrisy and pride of position to point out and place him into the proper perspective to render service to all men. Peter must take up the ministry where Christ leaves off, in that same suffering servant role as our Lord operated within. (He came to minister, not to be ministered unto!) This, he must do for His glory, and even to the point of their similar deaths. (Peter crucified - See "PETER," p. 22 in Appendix.) The cost is here counted for Peter's discipleship as well as his apostleship. He must be obedient in all things, surrendering self-will in service, even to the death of the cross. No less will do! And follow he will!

Today the call is the same. Although we may not be required to bring glory such as he in our assigned death, yet the commitment is no different. We must be willing, whether actually required or not! Have you counted the cost and knelt in humility as Peter, saying, "Here Lord, send me!" and been knighted in His service? If He is your Savior, then you are His servant. Let Peter's words speak here as he wrote some years later: "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." And again to, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; Feed the flock of God...Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

And, so, after receiving his commission and forecasted future, Peter arrives at a turning point in his life: his past now forgiven, his future confidently determined. As the two likely walked along the beach together for this private conversation, he turns to see John following at a respectful distance and asks of Jesus for his friend's future as well. Not to be shown! Not to Peter at least. Each must search for his own self the Father's will in their life. Not to be distracted by what God would have another do. Another major point should not go unnoticed here: No one has authority over another person?s life to serve as an intermediary in divining God's will for their future. Not then! Not now! Not ever! No man, nor Institution! Each has equal access to God's throne in their own priesthood for the working out of their own salvation! (Compare: Rom.8:1,14-17; 5:1-2; Heb.10:9; 4:14-16; Ph.2:12-13.)

Christ's words here misunderstood that later led to confusion by many that John now clarifies. John did tarry while Christ came at Pentecost in Spirit and in A.D.70 in judgment of Jerusalem. He continues to come as Saviour to each new believer, but notice the "IF" used by Christ here, implying hypothetically and not necessarily intending so. John did die, but unlike the others martyred, lived a full life, finally passing, ca. A.D.99. (See "JOHN" p. 16 in Appendix.)

The "WE" in vs.24 indicating testimony by others inserted here to validate John's record, with him returning in vs.25 to the usage of "I" in his own final Amen. Some have believed the entirety of Ch.21 to be an addendum by another, with John's original work ending as it seems naturally to at 20:31. Whether by John, or another, we are grateful for its inclusion for all the above stated truths it contains and the myriad of others yet to be seen by the individual reader as one approaches it afresh, bathed in prayer and guided by the Comforter. And to Him who gave and reveals, be all the Glory, both now and forever more. Amen!