Each of us will need to deal with death.Peter had to deal with Jesus’ death.

◦He goes through four steps.

Step One: Doubt

vv 1-3

Seven disciples are together.◦They have been through much.

Surely, they are trying to make sense of everything. “They [Peter and John] did not know the Scripture, that

He must rise again from the dead” (Jn 20:9).◦Maybe these disciples are something of a support

group.

The disciples fished all night, but they caught nothing.◦Some say this is contrary to Jesus’ Commission.

Jesus gave the Commission just before His ascension (Acts 1:8-9).

◦The disciples were fishermen by trade (Matt 4:18-22).

Maybe the disciples are trying to earn a little money.◦They don’t know what else to do.

When we face death, we often don’t know what to do.

Step Two: Duty

vv 4-6

Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples failed to recognize Him.◦Jesus apparently had a “new” body after the

Resurrection. When Jesus appeared to the two on the way to

Emmaus, “their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him” (Lk 24:16).

Jesus passed through walls after the Resurrection (Jn 20:19).

◦Jesus seems to have had a glorified body after the Resurrection.

The disciples hadn’t caught any fish all night, but Jesus tells them to throw their nets on the right side.

The disciples have a huge haul of fish.

The Lord rewarded His disciples’ obedience.Obedience to the Lord is vitally important.

◦“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt 7:24).

◦“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (Jn 14:23).

How could the disciples’ obedience aid them as they dealt with death?◦Doing what Jesus says here is going to demonstrate

that He has really been raised from the dead.◦If we obey, we can face death with complete

confidence. “To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). “Having been perfected, He became the author of

eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb 5:9).

Step Three: Delight

vv 7-8

John says, “It is the Lord!”Peter grabs his outer garments and jumps in

the water.

Peter knows that death has been conquered.◦“My heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;

Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:26-27).

◦The Resurrection of Jesus also serves as a basis for our rejoicing. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all

men the most pitiable” (1 Cor 15:19). 1 Pet 1:3-6.

Step Four: Discernment

vv 9-14

All of the disciples knew this was the Lord.Eating together was important in antiquity.

◦Matt 9:11◦1 Cor5:11.

We will also have fellowship with the Lord after death.◦“I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire

to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil 1:23).

◦After the final resurrection, “we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess 4:17).

What a blessing!

Do you have that hope?

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