John 21:4-11 (I used the NIV version today)

(4) Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. (5) He called out to them, "Friends, haven’t you any fish?” "No,” they answered. (6) He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (7) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. (8) The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. (9) When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. (10) Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”(11) So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, but even with so many the net was not torn.

 Before we begin here, let us get a little context. Jesus has already been raised from the dead. We know from scripture that Jesus looks different in His resurrected body. Even the first time He appeared to the disciples; they did not recognize Him. This story takes place with Jesus showing Himself to the disciples for the third time. This is a very simple story with after reading it a few times, one thing stood out. The disciples were out on a boat fishing, and we know they were about 100 yards out. Jesus was standing on the shore and calls to them if they had caught any fish. They answered no. Jesus tells them to throw the net on the right side of the boat, and of course they catch so many fish that they cannot eve haul them in the boat. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved, (John) tells Peter, "It is Jesus”. Peter then gets so excited he throws his clothes off and jumps in water to swim to Jesus. The disciples follow with fish in tow. They get to shore, and Jesus has a fire already going and they join Jesus and eat.

  The main thing I see here is when Jesus first calls to them they do not recognize Him. Even at a distance of 100 yards, you can probably say He might not have been recognized at such a distance plus in other previous meetings even in person they did not recognize Him after His resurrection, but as Jesus continue to talk, John then recognizes His voice and realizes it is Jesus.

The Bible tells us we will know his voice.

John 10:4  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Psalms 95:7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,

Just a few examples of scripture leading us to the voice of God. Often, we will not get a direct visual or recognition of the path God wants us to go on. We must know His voice. Especially in today’s times where there are many voices shouting out loud from so many places. There are many voices out there trying to Shepard the heard. We must tune in and be able to know which is God’s and which is not.

Mark 13:6  Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.

Matthew 24:5  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

 John knew it was Jesus because he knew His voice and the results of being obedient to Jesus’ word. He had spent so much time with Jesus. Did the disciples need to catch that many fish, probably not, but obey God’s word has benefits.

Psalms 23:1  The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

 One thing to note here about Peter. Notice he could not contain his excitement about seeing/being with Jesus, so much that he would swim a 100 yards just to get to Him. A lesson we should learn from.