The Call of the Gospel Sounds Forth :: John 21:1-14

Then [Jesus] revealed [himself] in this way (v 1).

[Introduction]

Hallelujah! He is risen! ...

We’re almost 40 days into the season of Easter, and it’s getting harder to hear and to see and to remember how our Lord reveals himself, that he is in our midst, and continues to call us by the Gospel, delivering to us the gifts he has prepared (v 9).

This morning’s text is a good example. Whether this resurrection appearance was before or after Jesus gave us the so-called Great Commission to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching all that he commanded (Mt 28:16-20) is certainly open for Bible study. But since Easter, Saint John tells us that our Risen Lord has appeared to the disciples many times (20:30). We’ve heard our Lord calling us by name since the dawn of Easter (20:16). We’ve heard him opening our minds to the truth that all scripture is about him all the time (5:39; Lk 24:27). We’ve seen him opening our eyes to recognize that he is actually with us in the breaking of bread (Lk 24:35). And he continues opening our hearts to the peace of the Lord that calms our fear (Jn 20:19, 26) and enables us to know that he is The Christ, the Son of the Living God (20:31), and that in faith we have abundant life in his name (Jn 10:10b). 

5. And now today, John writes, Jesus revealed himself in yet another way ... this time calling the disciples at first light to come, receive and share the fruits of his Gospel. 

John writes, Simon Peter; Thomas, the one called the Twin; Nathanael, the one from Cana in Galilee; the sons of Zebedee (that would be James and John); and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They said to him, “We’ll go with you.” [So] they went and embarked the boat. But during that night they caught nothing. Now early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus (vv 2-4).

Everywhere we go in the scriptures, we find our Risen Savior calling to us by the Gospel, serving us with his means, and we often are surprised when, where, or how he does it. 

This appearance of God didn’t happen the way we’d expect. It isn’t like the birth of our Lord, when suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host was seen and heard praising God, saying ... Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth (Lk 2:13-14). It isn’t like the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ face shone like the sun (Mt 17:2) and his clothing became as bright as lightning (Lk 9:29). It isn’t like the Revelation through which John sees Jesus with eyes of burning fire and feet of burnished bronze, and he hears his voice sounding like rushing water (Rv 1:14-15). Nor is it like what everyone will see on the Last Day when we see the Lord coming on the clouds in glory, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced Him (Rv 1:7), and every knee will bow in heaven and on the earth (Pp 2:11). 

Instead, Jesus reveals himself through a miracle that only his disciples would recognize. 

Jesus said to them, “Children, Do you not have anything to eat?” They answered, “No.” Then he said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find [something].” Therefore, they cast [the net], and they were no longer able to haul [it] in from the multitude of the fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved, therefore, said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” (vv 5-7a).

4. John recognized this sign as yet another call of the Gospel from our Lord.

This wasn’t the first time Jesus had used a sign just like this to give the disciples confirmation that he is the Lord, and that we need to follow his direction instead of ours. Peter, James, and John, in particular, heard the call of the Gospel for the first time after a long night of fishing in Luke 5[:1-11]. They hadn’t caught anything that night either (5:5). But after hearing Jesus urging them to drop their nets at his word, they heard the call of the Gospel to become fishers of men, and so they began following Jesus. 

Jesus ... who has been in our boat and walked in our shoes ... knows what our life is like in this unpredictable world that is like the sea. He knows how much better life can be when we simply follow his voice and do what he says. He knows that we would rather provide for ourselves than to trust in his provision. He knows that we need something to sustain us spiritually and physically. So he calls out to us ... and says ... try fishing my way.

Therefore, when Simon Peter heard that, “It’s the Lord,” he put on his clothing for he was naked, and he cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came to the boat, dragging the net of fish for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away. Then as they walked up to the land, they saw a charcoal fire laid out, and fish laid upon it, and bread (vv 7b-9).

3. When the disciples arrived on shore, they noted with joy that God’s call led us into the presence of our Risen Savior, who had prepared a meal for us. 

Table fellowship is an integral part of the call of the Gospel. Jesus frequently uses a meal to create fellowship with people and to share the Gospel. Soon after calling Matthew to follow him, Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mk 2:15) and Samaritans (Jn 4:31-41), who need the Gospel. He used his table fellowship to provide healing to those suffering physically and spiritually (Lk 14:1-6; 19:1-10). Jesus chose to eat with sinners because we need to know that he provides repentance and leads us back into fellowship with God (Lk 7:36-50). 

There isn’t anything we need to bring to our Lord’s Divine Service except ourselves and whatever burdens that lie heavy on our hearts. Our Good Shepherd calls us to return to him. He calls us to feed us and nourish us and give us grace. Whereas we are prone to abandon the call of the Gospel ... like those who would rather be somewhere else ... just like the disciples ... he still comes to us ... calls us ... and offers us his heavenly gifts which are unattainable elsewhere. 

In his Divine Service every Sunday, we are blessed to see that the Lord’s Table has been set for us ... that his feast is ready. ... We are blessed to hear that all of heaven rejoices with us. And we come to know that his food strengthens and sustains us. Through the fellowship he offers to us, he will remind us that we are his and he is ours ... and we are one with him and each other. And in the end, he leaves us wondering how anyone would honestly ever be able to say that they got nothing out of church. Is there better new than this?

Then Jesus said to them, Now bring some of the fish you caught. Therefore Simon Peter went up and drew the net to the land, full of great fish, 153. Even with so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, Come. Eat an early meal (vv 10-12a).

2. This might be the favorite divine imperative of our Lord ... His call to come. 

Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men (Mt 4:19). Come toward me, all who are laboring and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28). Come to the wedding feast (Mt 22:4). Come, you who are blessed by my Father: Inherit the kingdom prepared for you (Mt 25:34). Come ... and rest (Mk 6:31). Come and eat (v 12). Come, be gathered into the great supper of God (Rv 19:17). 

So they did. And so we do. 

Everyone who hears the Call of the Gospel, is afforded the opportunity to come with his guilt, his lovelessness, his shame, his regret over what might have been ... to come in repentance and faith ... just like the disciples after a night of fishing ... trusting our Good Shepherd to deliver his gifts of heaven. As John writes ... Now none of the disciples were bold enough to ask him, “Who are you?”, knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them. And likewise the fish (vv 12b-13).

1. This is why you’re here today: You also have heard the call of the Gospel to receive the gifts of him who lived, and died, and rose for you. 

Jesus has called you to come here to this church, which is often likened to a boat. He gathers you to hear his Word of absolution that your sins are forgiven on account of the blood he shed for you on the cross. Jesus fulfilled all scripture, living and dying without sin, and rising on the third day into eternal life. And now he continues to enlighten you through baptism that he continues sanctifying you here, washing you clean of iniquity and rebellion. He takes away your doubts that ... because death has no dominion over him ... it has no dominion over you ... and the life we live we live in Christ. And he is still preparing a feast for you that never ends.

We all need to be reminded of the truth that he is always with you, always serving you ... that his presence gives you peace. And while, as John says, This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead (v 14) ... it won’t be the last. 

[Conclusion]

Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided and continues to provide everything we need for body, mind, and soul. So now, won’t you share that good news with your family, your friends, your neighbors? Don’t hold back. 

HEED HIS CALL OF THE GOSPEL AND ALLOW IT TO CONTINUE SOUNDING FORTH

As Paul teaches us in his epistle ... If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Col 3:1-3). ... in Jesus’ name.