John 21

Devotional by Ramon Medina

Read John 21

John 21

Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 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. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus and Peter

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Devotional

In the final chapter of the Gospel of John, a profound conversation between Jesus and Peter is recounted after the resurrection. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, reflecting the three previous denials (John 18:15-27). After each response, Jesus gives him a mission: “Feed my lambs… take care of my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Finally, He says, “Follow me” (John 21:19).

This invitation not only restores Peter but also reaffirms his purpose. Even though Peter had failed, Jesus’ plan for him remained. Years earlier, Jesus had already told him, “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19). Now, after his failure, He repeats, “Follow me.” Jesus calls us to follow Him not only in success but also in our daily failures.

Three Aspects of “Follow Me” for Peter and for You

Follow Me in Your Calling
Jesus reminds Peter of his mission to care for others. Your mistakes do not cancel God’s purpose (Romans 11:29). He heals those who return to Him with a sincere heart. What mission has Jesus given you? Don’t let failures hold you back.

Follow Me in Your Restoration
The grace of Jesus allows you to start anew (1 John 1:9). Restoration in Christ renews you.

Follow Me in Your Total Surrender
Following Jesus involves sacrifice (Matthew 10:38). Are you willing to follow Jesus without reservations?

Remember, when Jesus says, “Follow me,” He is not looking at your past but at your present and future.


21 thoughts on “Day Twenty-One | Who is Jesus?

  1. Thank you Jesus for salvation, restoration, a calling and a hope for tomorrow. I’m thankful that my past does not disqualify me from receiving God’s Grace and Mercy. Lord let your perfect will be done in my life today. In Jesus name. Amen 🙏🏾🕊️

  2. Follow Me in Your Calling
    Jesus reminds Peter of his mission to care for others. Your mistakes do not cancel God’s purpose (Romans 11:29). He heals those who return to Him with a sincere heart. What mission has Jesus given you? Don’t let failures hold you back.

    Follow Me in Your Restoration
    The grace of Jesus allows you to start anew (1 John 1:9). Restoration in Christ renews you.

    Follow Me in Your Total Surrender
    Following Jesus involves sacrifice (Matthew 10:38). Are you willing to follow Jesus without reservations?

    What marvelous thoughts and scriptures here. Our mission to take care of others ,to starts anew. and to involve sacrifice.

    After each response, Jesus gives him a mission: “Feed my lambs… take care of my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Finally, He says, “Follow me” (John 21:19).

    How beautiful and worthy of missions He gives us to follow: Feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, and follow me. It is clear what we must do! Jesus is my Lord and Saviour! May His will be done. Blessings to All!

    ,

  3. Thank you for the reminder that our purpose in life doesn’t change or is cancelled because of failures or past mistakes. Such power, authority and freedom!!

  4. O Lord thank you for reconciling with us. Thank you for Your word that shows how much You love us. Revive us again. Amen.

  5. Great word Pastor Ramon. This has been a great journey through John’s gospel. Thank you to all who participated!

  6. You give us the courage to follow after You. To do Your will in our lives is top priority! Help me to be Christlike in my attitudes and actions. Help me to love like You do, Lord!

  7. Lord Jesus, enable me to carry the cross you have assigned. When I stumble, help me up. When I wander, guide me back. When I rebel, forgive me.

    Today, let’s go together sowing the good news in anticipation of the abundant harvest that is coming.

  8. Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not, for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will help thee, I will strengthen thee, I will upload thee with my righteous right hand.”

    As I surrender to Jesus, in order to follow Jesus, I need this faithful reminder.

  9. What an amazing Lord and Savior. He loves me in spite of my failures. This snapshot into Jesus’ ministry brought me to tears. Thank you Pastor Ramon for your insight. Thank you Jesus for your mercies that are new every morning❤️

  10. Love this quote from the devotional section: Jesus calls us to follow Him not only in success but also in our daily failures.

    He is the ultimate and needs nothing from me. Yet, He still gifts me the opportunity to be a part of His work all for His glory. He already had fish ready to feed the disciples, but He asked them to bring some of the fish they caught to contribute their offering (though even that was provision from His hand).

    Following Him is not me trying harder and gathering all my strength. He does the calling, the sustaining, the providing, and the completion.

  11. Lord thank you for loving me and not giving up on me even when I’ve given up on myself. Lord help me prepare and fulfill the mission you have given me and do it to the best of my ability knowing that what I cant do you will but doing doing all that I can help me in my shortcomings and failures to learn and grow to be a better representative of the kingdom of God reflecting your nature and doing your will. Help me to let go of my reservations and completely submit to your calling on my life. Thank you Lord

  12. The awesome truths in the last verse about the number of things that Jesus did…had they been written d own, the world itself could not contain them.
    What an amazing God we serve

  13. Better question Ramon and I love doing these devotions with Champion Forest.

    How is it best when we want God to give us the behind the scenes on how we should follow him and even in a dream, when can we see change for him to allow change as well as mentioned in the service with Pastor Jarrett on 1-26-2025.

    The better question is when should we follow Jesus, how we should follow Jesus, what actions to perform to follow Jesus.

    I know in a fact that on following his word is very important. As mentioned on a scripture is Follow me and I will make you fishers of men and I think of it as Matthew 4:19.

  14. What a beautiful devotional to finish this journey through the Gospel of John! And very well connected to the preaching of 1/26/25: leaving a legacy! And to accomplish that, we must follow Jesus and say “Yes Lord, you know that I love you”. ❤️

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