The Appearance of Jesus Christ to the Apostles beside the Sea of Tiberias
According to the instruction of Jesus Christ, His disciples went to Galilee. There they took up their usual business. One day Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel (Bartholomew), the sons of Zebedee, James, and John, and two other of His disciples fished all night in the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus Christ stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know it was He.
Jesus Christ said to them, “Children, have you any fish?”
They answered, “No.”
Jesus Christ said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” The disciples cast the net on the right side of the boat and now they were not able to haul it in due to the quantity of fish.
Then, John said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, sprang into the sea, and swam to shore, to Jesus Christ. But the other disciples came in the boat dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land. When they reached land, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish lying on it and bread.
Jesus Christ said to the disciples, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” Peter went and hauled the net full of large fish (a hundred and fifty three of them) ashore; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus Christ said to them, “Come and eat.” Now, none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus Christ took the bread and gave it to them, and also the fish.
When they had finished eating, Jesus Christ showed Peter that He would forgive him his denial and elevate him again into the company of His chosen Apostles. Peter by his denial had sinned more than the other disciples. Therefore, the Lord asked him, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than the other disciples do?”
Peter said to Him, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
Jesus Christ said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
A second time Jesus Christ said to Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
Peter again answered, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
Jesus Christ said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
Finally, Jesus Christ said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
Peter was grieved because the Lord asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.”
Jesus Christ said to him, “Feed My sheep.”
Thus, the Lord helped Peter to make amends for three times for denying Him three times and to witness his love for Him. After each of his answers, Jesus Christ returned him in the presence of the other apostles to the apostolic calling and made him a pastor of His sheep.
After this, Jesus Christ said to Peter, “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you will be old, you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” The Saviour said this to show Peter by his death he would glorify God. He would accept a martyr’s end through crucifixion. After this Jesus Christ said to Peter, “Follow me.”
Peter turned and saw John following them. When Peter saw him, he asked “Lord! What about this man?”
Jesus Christ said to him, “If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? Follow Me.” The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die although Jesus Christ did not say that.
Note: See the Gospel of John, chap. 21.
by Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy)