Day 21: Follow Me (John 21)
Alright, let’s be real. Did you expect to reach day 21 when you started this challenge? Well, here we are, and I’m glad you stuck with it! By committing to this journey, you’ve taken a significant step toward incorporating Bible reading into your daily routine. Whether you feel it now or not, investing time in the Word will prove to be invaluable.
In this final chapter of John, we find Jesus reiterating His timeless message to the disciples: “Follow me.” As we dive into this chapter, let’s ponder: What does following Jesus look like in our lives today?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we’re grateful for the words preserved for us by John, revealing the depth of your love. As we engage with your Word, may our ears be open to the voice of Jesus, and may our hearts be stirred to follow Him wherever He leads.
John 21 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
21 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin,[a] Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 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.
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net to 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 there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
15 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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt 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. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus and the Beloved Disciple
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 23 So the rumor spread among the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”[b]
24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
REFLECTION & APPLICATION
In this chapter, the disciples experience a miraculous catch of fish after following Jesus’ instruction to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. This incident serves as a powerful reminder that when Jesus speaks, His followers recognize His voice and experience His provision.
Amidst the noise of the world, discerning Jesus’ voice can be challenging. However, through consistent time spent in the Bible, His voice becomes clearer, guiding us in our daily lives.
As our 21-day journey comes to an end, I encourage you to continue engaging with the Word regularly. Consider exploring other books of the Bible, such as the Gospels or Acts, to deepen your understanding of Jesus’ ministry and the work of the Holy Spirit.
And make sure to reach out and tell us how these last three weeks went for you! 815-706-4700
Apprenticeship Questions
What is God saying to me from this passage? What is standing out?
What is God inviting me to do in response? How can I take a small step in following Jesus in this way this week?
Who am I prompted to share this challenge with? Sharing is part of how we apprentice to Jesus. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God.