But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” John 21: 8-11
John records a number of verses that appear to be administrative in nature. They provide many details yet don’t seem to add a
a lot of substance to the passage. That is because we do not consider how the Lord teaches His disciples (and us). The Lord’s teaching is not always “in your face” directives. He often sets the stage for His teaching by providing data, as He does here, which causes the learner
to remember and to think. He wants us to tie the current situation into previous lessons. Here He sets the stage before He talks with Peter to cause him and the disciples to meditate on who He is.
But the other disciples came in the little boat The fishing boat is brought to shore. Do the disciples remember when they used to use this boat as a platform from which the Master would teach the crowds who thronged to hear Him? Do they remember that the boat they are
now using to catch fish was once used by the Master to preach the truth of God? It could catch be used by men or for God. Does this memory make them ponder the Lord’s will for their lives?
For they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits The distance the boat was from the shore (about 100 yards) might remind them of how far from the shore they would place the boat for the Master to teach the multitudes. Did they remember rowing that
distance back to shore carrying the King of Kings rather than a load of fish?
Dragging the net with fish There were so many fish in the nets that the nets could not be pulled into the boat, they had to be dragged along beside it. Did they remember how the Lord stunned them with His rule over the winds and the storms? Did the miracle of this great catch of fish in their midst remind them of his miracle in feeding 5,000?
Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread Peter is already standing with the Lord as the other disciples approach Him. Did Peter notice the fire made of coals on the shore in front of him ? Did it remind him of the fire he sat at with the enemies of the Lord? As the other disciples approached did they notice the fish (the Greek word is a small piece of fish) and a loaf of bread already cooking on the fire? Were they reminded of how the Lord provided the multitude’s and their) needs with just a few fish and loaves? Did they remember the Lord did not need their great catch of fish to feed them? Did they marvel once again at who Jesus is?
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” The Lord issues a simple command. His command is designed to make them realize that the God of all creation does not need but He does want them to partner with Hin to produce fruit that will last for all eternity.
What can we learn? The Lord speaks to us through His word but He also uses events in our lives to cause us to remember and think. All the things John records in this passage are used by the Lord to cause them to remember who He is. Why is this important? Isaiah tells us. “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other;I am God, and there is none like me.” Remember that!
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