Consider the context set in John 21:1-3.

After this, Jesus let Himself be seen and revealed [Himself] again to the disciples, at the Sea of Tiberias. And He did it in this way: There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, called the Twin, and Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, also the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples. Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing! They said to him, And we are coming with you! So, they went out and got into the boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing. John 21:1-3 AMPC

Despite the promise of John 14:18 AMPC—”I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you,” and the assurance conveyed personally by the Lord as recorded from John 20:26 to John 21:1, what could have led to the event in John 21:2-3? This was a conscious action taken by the one who was given the leadership responsibility.

Then Jesus answered him, blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros–a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra–a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:17-19 AMPC

But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren. Luke 22:32 AMPC

Was it the loss of self-confidence due to his failure in the court of the High Priest at the Lord’s first trial or just a decision not to be presumptuous regarding what the Lord’s next instruction would be? We may never know but this massive failure did not only happen here but again in Galatians 2:1-15 (for a different reason, deferring to people instead of obeying God, the same thing for which Saul was dismissed (1 Samuel 13:1-14; 1 Samuel 15:1-23).

Whatever the reason, when overridden by fear and uncertainty (Luke 22:42-51; John 20:19) do not wean yourself away from the Holy Spirit your helper going back to your old ways. The group were clearly called to be fishers of men yet they settled for the mundane, choosing the familiar lower distraction or passion. Don’t end up like the disciples with nothing. Are you weary? The Holy Spirit is at hand to help. Go to Him. Selah



Pastor Afolabi Oladele