How merciful is the Lord. He grants all that is needed to bring us to faith and to strengthen our faith. Thomas failed to accept the testimony of his fellow disciples (John 20:24-25 ). He made conditions to his believing. Eight days later Jesus appeared to them again. He knew what Thomas had said and invited him to carry out his examination.

John 20:27 "Then He said to Thomas, 'Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.'"

Thomas' response is a full declaration of sincere faith, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28 KJV). The answer of Jesus to this worship and affirmation of His deity is, "You have believed" (John 20:29 NKJV).

Jesus commends a higher faith which is:

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. "

All believers since the first witness of Christ's resurrection, exercise faith that is realisation and confidence without having first seen.

John 20:29 "... Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

John 20:30 "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, ..."

This statement bears witness to the accuracy of the other existing gospels. The many signs that were done in the presence of the disciples made them the Lord's witness to the world. The selection of signs in this fourth gospel are sufficient proof. Therefore, like Thomas, we cannot be unbelieving, we must believe (John 20:27 ).

Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

John 20:31 "but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, ..."

We are not left to base our faith on uncertain, traditional recollection - our faith comes by hearing the Word of God in the Scriptures. Faith in Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, is essential for life.

John 20:31 "... and that believing you may have life in His name."

He alone is our life, (Galatians 2:20 ), and He only can give life.

When the Lord makes an appointment and meeting place He is faithful to His promise. The angels knew that the risen Lord was going to meet His disciples at Galilee (Matthew 28:7 ). Jesus sent the promise that He would meet them in Galilee (Matthew 28:10 ). It is possible that Thomas not being present at the first appearing, and his not believing, hindered the disciples leaving for Galilee - the second appearance settled all. Some scholars believe John's gospel ends at chapter 20:30-31, but these verses are natural comment upon Thomas's confession of faith, just as chapter 21 is a fitting conclusion to the fourth gospel.

We can depend on Jesus specially manifesting Himself as He promised. At the beginning of His ministry He manifested His glory (John 2:11 ). Now the risen Lord manifested His Person by His own choosing. When believers gather in His name He assures them of His presence in the midst (Matthew 18:20 ).

Those who occupy themselves in practical work are candidates for greater work.

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The Busy Men Are Five Of The Apostles And Two Other Disciples (John 21:2)

Peter and the others, finding themselves at the place of their former occupation, in a waiting situation, could not be idle.

John 21:3 "Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also" ..."

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Little Or No Reward For Hard Work Brings Home The Truth Of Personal Dependence On The Lord For Fruitfulness

John 21:3 "... and that night they caught nothing."

The Lord does not express any disapproval of His people working (John 21:4 ). How true it is that Jesus is near to His people even in their times of lack of success.

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The First Response Of The Lord's People Must Be To Obey His Word

To do that His voice must be recognised.

John 21:5 "Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No.""

"Children" literally 'lads'.

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The Lord Wants Obedience So First Gets The Attention, Then Gives A Testing Word

John 21:6 "And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." ..."

The right side would be the opposite to the one on which the net was being dragged. What made the real difference was co-operation with the Lord.

John 21:6 "... and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish."

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When Under The Lord's Evident Instruction And Command, There Is Success In Fishing For Men

This miracle prepared for Pentecost. (Acts 2 ).

Responses to the Lord's miracle-working presence will be different according to different personalities and temperament. John, a man of spiritual insight quickly recognises the Lord (John 21:7 ). Peter, an eager and responsive man makes every effort to reach the Lord.

John 21:7 "... he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea."

Both those who are quick to recognise Him in action, and those who plunge in, and even those involved in a practical way (John 21:8 ), are all precious to the Lord. The risen Lord is concerned about the physical needs of His people and provided in advance for them.

John 21:9 "... they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."

His invitation to add to the prepared meal from the supernatural catch reminds us that He gives to us that we may be able to contribute (John 21:10 ). The joy of the Lord must have been Peter's strength because he, single-handed dragged the huge catch ashore (John 21:11 ).

Nets do not break which the Lord commands fish to get into.

John 21:11 "... there were so many, yet was not the net broken."

Our own contrivances that prove inadequate under excessive strain, in the Master's control become adequate.

John 21:12 "... Come and dine. ..."

There were possibly many questions the disciples would like to have asked. Here is the great Shepherd of the sheep risen from the dead (Hebrews 13:20 ), feeding them - sustaining and strengthening them for service. They were awed knowing it was the Lord, and could not make curious enquiry. It was sufficient that here He was for a third time (John 21:14 ), bringing revelation and understanding; that as the great Shepherd of the sheep, He was now preparing them to shepherd.

John 21:12 "... knowing that it was the Lord."

He still, in fellowship and by impartation, perfects us for every good work (John 21:13 ).

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As Chief Shepherd He Commissions Feeders For His Flock

On this third showing of Himself to His disciples (John 21:14 ), Peter is drawn aside and commissioned. The matter of Peter's denial had been dealt with privately and the settlement would never be gone back on by the Lord. In commissioning Peter to be a feeder we are to see feeding as an integral part of the great commission. "Feed My lambs" (John 21:15 NKJV). Feeding lambs whether they be children or new converts, is the means of church growth. "Tend My sheep" (John 21:16 NKJV). "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17 ). To tend the flock means to care for, take care of, guide, lead, defend, govern and shepherd, the special function of Christ-given shepherds, but a function that involves all his people at different levels of gifting.

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Feeders Are Tested As To Their Love And Loyalty

We must love Jesus supremely.

John 21:15 "... Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? ..."

More than other disciples - more than fishing or possessions? Are you by love, totally committed to Me and My direction? The Lord used the Greek word 'agapao' signifying God's love. Twice Peter answered with the word 'philo' - "I love you as a friend, with human love." In John 21:17 Jesus used the same word as Peter "Philo' Me?" Peter responded with a loyal and affirmative answer, that included recognition of the Lord's all-knowledge. Upon receiving his baptism of power Peter thereafter became a true shepherd of the flock (Luke 24:49 ). By a life in the Spirit we too can minister in love and loyalty.

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The Time Of Our Earthly Service Is In The Lord's Power

The Lord prophesies the martyrdom of Peter when he became old (John 21:18-19 ).

Man's days on earth are numbered, not numberless (Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16 Amplified Bible). Jesus has a Lordship over the life and death of His saints.

Romans 14:8-9 "For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living."

Because He is Lord of our lives, our days are safe in His keeping till our work is accomplished.

Even the manner of Peter's death was determined.

John 21:19 "... signifying by what death he should glorify God ..."

Peter understood that he would die for his Lord (2 Peter 1:14 ). He glorified God by submission to His will. Tradition has it that he was crucified upside down. He was to follow Jesus (John 21:19 ) in faithfulness and ultimately in likeness in death, with the certainty of being raised in like manner. Our living must be to the Lord's glory, and our dying, should the Lord delay His coming.

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Individuals Enjoy His Individual Will - Our Business Is To Individually Follow

Peter, seeing John, said to Jesus:

John 21:21 "... and what shall this man do?"

In the language of today, "But Lord, what about this man?" and the reply of Jesus could be, "Mind your own business. Follow Me" (John 21:22 ). We are not to contrast our experience with that of others, neither in life or death. Our Lord can be indignant about our interference in the service of others. "If I will ... till I come." (John 21:22 KJV). It is the Lord's will in each individual's life that matters.

Care must be taken not to read more into what the Lord has said about another, than He intended (John 21:23 ). This is the third time Jesus shone forth upon His disciples. May He by shining forth upon, make us aware of Holy Spirit confirming presences, as we fulfill His commission as His witnesses.

The testimony of John's gospel is true (John 21:24 ), a reliable testimony. Even though the gospels were not intended to be complete accounts of the life of Christ (John 21:25 ), enough is written by the control and inspiration of the Spirit so that there is no excuse for not believing.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you at times make conditions to your believing? (John 20:25 ).
2. What faith is commended by Christ, that is a higher faith? (John 20:29; Hebrews 11:1 ).
3. Do you think busy people are the best candidates for greater work? (John 21:3 ).
4. What is essential to one who would feed the Chief Shepherd's sheep? (John 21:15-17 ).