John 21 | What's the connection?

There are some very clear parallels to when Jesus first called the disciples. If you recall, Jesus had performed this exact miracle with Peter at the start. Let's look at the passage.

4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
-Luke 5:4-11


This passage in John is extremely reminiscent of the calling Peter had received. Peter had undergone some pretty heavy failures in the recent days. He outright denied Jesus. Not only did he deny Jesus, but he denied the Lord three times. Not only did he deny the Lord three times, but he denied the Lord after promising to follow Him anywhere. His failure was catastrophic. Jesus could have engaged Peter to his face concerning this. Instead the mercy of Jesus called Peter back. At the death of Jesus, Peter returned to his old life. At the call of the resurrected Jesus, Peter answers his call to new life. He puts back on the garments of salvation and plunges into the deep, a likely allusion to being a fisher of men. There are also potential allusions of baptism found in this course of action.

The disciples sit and eat with Jesus and the time finally comes once breakfast is done. Jesus turns to Peter and asks that simple question, "Do you love me?" They have this back and forth of Peter affirming his love and Jesus telling him to feed his sheep. This happens three times. How many times did Peter deny Jesus? And now thrice over Peter gets to affirm his love for the Lord. There is redemption found here. While this ties the connections together, there are still so many lessons to be found.

What connections are you seeing?
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