1. The Structure and Significance of John 21
John 21 is often called the “appendix” or “epilogue” of the Gospel of John. This is because John 20:31 already clearly states the author’s purpose and concluding message of the Gospel: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name.” If the primary purpose for writing the Gospel was to lead people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and to obtain life through that faith, chapter 21 functions as a postscript, an afterword following that conclusion. It sheds light on the lives of the disciples after the Gospel’s climactic close, delivers the Lord’s final message, and even more, points to the missional and pastoral direction the church community should pursue.
In John 21, we find a very important passage. Verses 1–14 describe the scene where seven of the disciples, while fishing on the Sea of Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee), encounter the risen Jesus, and we have the miracle of catching 153 large fish. Following this, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” and then commands, “Feed My sheep,” thus teaching Peter—and by extension all disciples (especially church leaders)—about the pastoral responsibility they must fulfill and what it truly means to care for God’s flock. The latter portion of chapter 21 further includes Jesus speaking about John, saying, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” thereby offering eschatological references to the ‘time’ and ‘season.’ This serves as a very existential and eschatological statement, distinct from the “Great Commission” recorded in Matthew 28, thus showing how the Gospel of John, on the premise “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and one obtains life by believing in His name,” depicts how the church community should prepare for the Lord’s return and the end of history while living on earth.
The most striking scene in this passage is, of course, the Sea of Tiberias event. The disciples, who went fishing in the Sea of Galilee (called the Sea of Tiberias in John’s Gospel), meet the risen Christ. They had gone out on their own to fish again, cast their nets throughout the night, and yet caught nothing. Despite Jesus having been crucified (and risen), they expected some new world to dawn, but reality was not so easy. This scene, often called the “return of the disciples,” symbolically reflects the spiritual lethargy that humans sometimes experience—the reality of life not unfolding as hoped—and our tendency to revert to old ways of living when faced with that disappointment.
Yet when Jesus called out to those in the boat, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” the disciples answered, “No.” Immediately, Jesus commanded them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.” It was not the left side; it was not the front or the back. Many preachers—including Pastor David Jang—have interpreted this “direction” as symbolizing “the direction the Lord indicates.” In the context of the Gospel, “direction” implies a way of life and an attitude of obedience. People often want to cast their nets in the way they find familiar—perhaps on the left side or behind the boat—but the Lord clearly instructs, “Cast it on the right-hand side.” This can be understood today as a call for the church to reconfirm the direction God desires for it—namely, “mission and pastoral ministry.”
When the disciples cast the net in obedience to the Lord’s word, it was filled with an overwhelming number of fish—so many that they could not even haul it in (John 21:6). This event parallels the scene in Luke 5, in which Peter is told, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets,” after which he bows before Jesus saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Immediately thereafter, Jesus calls him to become a “fisher of men.” Likewise, in John 21, Jesus’ telling them to cast the net on the right side, leading to the abundant catch of large fish, can be seen as the “completion” or “confirmation” of that calling. In essence, by causing His disciples to catch this miraculous 153 fish haul, Jesus is symbolically showing that these disciples will be used to “gather God’s people from all the nations,” just as they gathered 153 large fish.
Furthermore, John 21:11 emphasizes that “the net was not torn.” Normally, such a large catch would cause the net to tear, but here, a somewhat “supernatural” expression is used. From the patristic era, multiple interpretations have been suggested regarding this symbolism. One common interpretation is that “God’s Word (or Gospel) can never be torn.” Church Father Augustine paid special attention to the number 153. In the early church, this “153 fish” was seen as important symbolism. According to the Hebrew gematria tradition, some argued that “Bənē hāʾĔlōhīm” (“sons of God”) adds up to 153. Scholars differ on the precise correctness of this, but what is important is that the early church did not regard the number as a mere coincidence. They understood it to symbolize the Christian community who, as those who have been called by the Lord and belong to Him, ultimately become participants in the kingdom of God.
In the early church, the fish served as a secret sign among Christians. The Greek word ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys) is an acrostic for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior,” and during periods of persecution, believers recognized each other by sketching or carving this fish symbol. John 21 has thus come to be seen as a chapter encapsulating such symbolism. Therefore, “Cast the net on the right-hand side” assures us that when today’s church obeys in Gospel ministry, we can bear such abundant fruit that “the net will not be torn.” This confidence has served as a foundation for church leaders—including Pastor David Jang—to proclaim that “the power and Word of God in the work of preaching the Gospel are in no way insufficient, but rather overflow with dynamic abundance.”
Another notable aspect of this scene is Jesus having already prepared a charcoal fire with fish and bread on it (John 21:9). Even though the disciples brought in a bountiful catch at the Lord’s direction, Jesus had already set the table. This is commonly seen as symbolic of the “Lord’s Supper.” It also connects to the event in Luke 24, in which the eyes of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus were opened when Jesus broke bread with them, and to the context of John 6, in which Jesus taught that He is the “bread of life” through the feeding of the five thousand. While the fish the disciples caught can be seen as the fruit of human effort and obedience, the fundamental “starting point” is the Lord’s provision. It is the same for salvation. The essence of faith is that humans are invited into a place of grace that God has already prepared. Hence, in John 21, Jesus’ fish and bread cooking over the charcoal fire is more than just a simple meal. Though human labor and devotion are certainly necessary, the basis of everything is “the grace the Lord has already provided.”
Following this meal, starting in verse 15, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” and gives the threefold command, “Feed My lambs,” “Shepherd My sheep,” and “Feed My sheep.” In Luke 22:34, Peter is told he will deny Jesus three times, and indeed, in the courtyard of the high priest, he publicly denies, “I do not know Him.” Yet the risen Christ not only restores Peter’s wounds and failures but also reaffirms his calling. As a result, Peter is transformed into the bold preacher we see in Acts 2 after Pentecost. Particularly in Acts 4, Peter appears before the high priest Annas and declares, “There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), boldly proclaiming the uniqueness of Jesus. This is the true power of the Gospel.
Hence, the message of John 21 can be summarized in two main themes: “mission” and “shepherding (pastoral care).” By enabling the disciples to catch a miraculous amount of fish, Jesus demonstrates the work of evangelism and salvation that will reach all nations. And by telling Peter, “Feed My sheep,” He underscores the responsibility of caring for the church community, emphasizing the pastoral commitment. All of this is anchored in remembering the “table the Lord has already prepared,” participating in worship and communion, and living within the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thus, in preaching on this passage, Pastor David Jang and other church leaders often emphasize that the church must hold tightly to “evangelism” and “pastoral care.” The church must remain open to those who do not yet know the Gospel while also being responsible to care for and nurture those already within the community.
However, as seen in John 21:23—“If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”—the early church was constantly concerned about the question, “When is the Lord returning?” Jesus had spoken in Matthew 24 and elsewhere about His “coming” or the “end times,” and in Acts 1:6–7, when the disciples asked, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” This is the very divine sovereignty over times and seasons reflected in John 21:23 as well. “What is that to you? You follow Me.” The Lord’s statement is perhaps the core theme of this passage and a crucial principle for the church that, while awaiting the “end of history,” must not neglect its mission. “Lord, when will You return?” is far less important than “Lord, what shall we do until You come?” And the answer is, “Go forth and evangelize, proclaim the Gospel to all nations, and care for one another in the church.”
Synthesizing all these messages, John 21 not only concludes the Gospel of John but also encapsulates “the proclamation of the Good News and the care of the community, along with the eschatological hope of the Lord’s return,” which all four Gospels commonly highlight. When Jesus says, “Feed My sheep,” it applies not only to Peter personally but to all church leaders and believers today. It is the call to “care for those entrusted to you, love the church which is Christ’s body, and educate and nurture the next generation.” Because the mandate of evangelism and worldwide mission is also included, many leaders, upon reflecting on this passage, stress that “just as the 153 large fish were gathered, the church must embrace all who turn to the Lord from every corner of the world.”
In particular, Pastor David Jang has repeatedly preached and written that, based on the message of chapter 21, the church should aim to be “a church that embraces the world, a missionary community that goes out to all humanity, and a spiritually strong pastoral community.” The ultimate image of the church is where “lovingly shepherding the flock” and “aggressively evangelizing the nations” coexist in a balanced manner. Without balance, the church easily tilts one way or the other. In other words, one might focus exclusively on caring for its existing members at the expense of neglecting the “missional calling” to go outward, or conversely, it might become so evangelism-driven that wounded, vulnerable members within the church are overlooked and left without care. John 21 makes clear the need to hold both aspects in tension. Jesus commands the disciples, “Cast the net on the right side,” indicating that we must obey the “direction from above,” and at the same time, “Feed My sheep,” entrusting us with pastoral care.
This message, which was relevant in the historical context of the early church, remains equally applicable to the contemporary church’s vision and mission. Our problem often lies in “limiting times and seasons to our own human reckoning.” While we claim to believe the Lord will come soon, at times we fail to live a life that truly prepares for that coming. Or the church community may become enclosed, cut off from the outside world. Yet John 21 consistently teaches, “Even if you do not know the exact time, faithfully carry out the mission assigned to you.” That mission is evangelizing the nations and shepherding the Lord’s flock. The Lord’s true final instruction (the combination of “Feed My sheep” and “Cast the net on the right side”) cannot build the church if only one side is pursued.
Moreover, a view of history and worldview are also implicitly present in this passage. Peter, one of the seven disciples in chapter 21, returns to the Sea of Galilee to fish, but only when he obeys the Lord’s command does he see abundant fruit. From this, we learn that “history is not shaped solely by human endeavor; rather, it unfolds when we obey God’s calling.” We need to explore deeply where God is leading history and understand from a biblical perspective how the world will ultimately end. Only then can we avoid wavering, falling into petty selfishness, or retreating into ourselves like snails in their shells. Accordingly, the church needs to teach a biblical view of world history to the youth and next generation. Human history is neither coincidental nor determined by material forces alone but progresses under the sovereignty of God, culminating in final salvation and judgment at the return of Jesus Christ.
Thus, the central message of John 21 is how the disciples, faced with the reality after the resurrection of Jesus, should faithfully carry out missionary obedience and pastoral responsibility. Pastor David Jang summarizes this passage as “the essence of the church’s calling amid the tension between mission and pastoral care,” and provides practical examples such as church planting, establishing schools, media ministries, and cultural outreach. Such efforts are part of a vision to spread the Gospel in 153 regions worldwide (the so-called “153 vision”) and to nurture many souls through the Word of God. This vision dovetails with the symbolic meaning of the “153 large fish,” which ultimately alludes to gathering God’s people from all over the world.
In practice, when the church tries to preach the Gospel to the world, the world often puts various pressures on the church, attempting to distort the direction of Gospel proclamation. In the face of this, the church must above all hold on to the “right side”—the precise direction God indicates. Pastor David Jang and many others with a heart for global missions teach that this principle should guide the deployment of missionaries to different nations, the church’s engagement with social and cultural challenges, and the unwavering faithfulness to the heart of the Gospel. God’s Word (the “net”) never tears. Even if we go into the world to bring in countless souls, that net is able to hold them. Trouble arises only when the church loses direction and tries to cast the net elsewhere or refuses to cast it at all. Remembering this message is the only way to genuinely experience the “abundance” and “life” conveyed by John 21.
The disciples, who did not at first recognize the risen Lord, then exclaimed, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7) when their eyes were opened. This mirrors the posture the contemporary church should have in its life after Easter. Rather than a mere intellectual acknowledgment of the resurrection, we are called to truly experience the risen Lord in daily life and follow His direction. In that sense, Peter’s action—“he was stripped for work, and hearing that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment and threw himself into the sea”—reveals his fervor. Theologically, many see this as a sign that Peter has been reborn into a man of ardent love and recovery, moving beyond his past failure in denying Jesus to run straight to the Lord, signifying a “new beginning.”
Ultimately, John 21 recounts a “new beginning,” placed after the conclusion of the Gospel’s main narrative. Through His resurrection, Jesus conquered death and showed this fact to His disciples. They now entered an era they could not have anticipated. Yet despite everything having changed, they still faced responsibilities, including fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Their part was “preaching the Gospel and feeding the sheep.” Even after the defining events of the cross and resurrection, Peter and the other disciples had vital roles to fulfill. The Lord never left them alone. He still prepared the charcoal fire and breakfast ahead of time, and He personally told them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat.” When we meditate on this passage, we see that even if our times have changed, the Lord’s guidance has not. As the end draws near, the church must hold firmly to “mission and pastoral care,” maintain a clear understanding of history and the world, and responsibly nurture the next generation.
2. Practical Application in Evangelism and Pastoral Care, and Recognition of History & the World
In his sermons on John 21, Pastor David Jang particularly emphasizes these two pillars: “mission and pastoral care.” He refers to this chapter as “the chapter of evangelism and shepherding,” underscoring that from the early church to today’s church, believers must grasp these indispensable mandates. Evangelism parallels Jesus’ command to the disciples—who fished all night without catching anything—when He instructed them to cast their net on the right side, calling them to go out into all nations. Pastoral care parallels Jesus’ special focus on Peter, repeatedly asking, “Do you love Me?” and then commanding, “Feed My sheep,” demonstrating God’s love and our commitment to care both inside and outside the church. These two cannot be separated; if one is overemphasized, the church loses balance.
Looking first at mission, it is a common theme throughout the Gospels that Jesus, after the resurrection, met His disciples in Galilee. Matthew 28 also records Jesus appearing to His disciples on a mountain in Galilee and giving them the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20). In that declaration, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore,” Jesus presents both the basis for mission and its outcome. In Acts 1:8, He again highlights that the church must keep moving outward to “the remotest part of the earth,” saying, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Pastor David Jang often reflects on the messages of the Gospels and Acts in conjunction with John 21, emphasizing that to see the “net not being torn” in our evangelistic endeavors, we must “obey the Lord’s indicated direction—casting on the right-hand side.” In practical terms, mission fields often prompt us to rely on human strategies, statistics, and know-how. But each generation and culture differs, and methods of missional engagement vary by region. Ultimately, if the church fails to listen for or disregards the “voice of the Lord,” instead relying solely on human calculations and experience, it may well end up with a torn net. Conversely, even in dire circumstances, if we obey the direction and methods the Lord has given, we can witness the kind of “remarkable revival” and “dynamic growth” the early church experienced.
Hence, Pastor David Jang repeatedly asserts that evangelism and mission lie at the heart of the church’s identity, and he lays out concrete visions for “world missions.” Drawing from the symbolic interpretation of 153 fish, some speak of a “153 vision”—urging church unity across the globe to establish schools, seminaries, hospitals, media centers, and more, thereby educating and serving the next generation and building outposts for the Gospel. This is not a mere “numbers game,” but a proactive and tangible approach to ministry grounded in the conviction that “God has given us a net that cannot be torn.” Some may question, “How can the church undertake such a vast task?” Yet before the disciples reeled in those 153 fish, they too had “labored all night” in vain. But when they followed the Lord’s instructions to “cast the net on the right side,” an unimaginable abundance emerged. This reality affirms that “mission is ultimately God’s work; we must obey the direction He leads us.”
At the same time, even as they carry out the work of preaching the Gospel, churches must be equally dedicated to pastoral care. When Jesus asked Peter three times and commanded him, “Feed My sheep,” that was not merely about restoring Peter’s love, but about entrusting him with a profound responsibility: “From now on, you are to care for the sheep I have given you.” In the church, a leader should safely guide the flock, feeding them with sound truth and providing healing for wounded souls. Without authentic pastoral care, the church could gather many people through evangelism, only to see them fail to grow or become hurt and leave. Mission and pastoral care must operate together. The repeated question Jesus poses to Peter—“Do you love Me?”—and the repeated instruction—“Feed My sheep”—resound as a powerful summons to “church leaders and all believers.”
This pastoral ministry can extend beyond the church walls to serving the world around us. In his sermons and writings, Pastor David Jang stresses that the church should serve the poor, the lonely, and the needy in society, offering more than just the Gospel message—also providing education, healthcare, cultural resources, and other tangible support. This service demonstrates “the practice of Christ’s love” shown by Jesus Himself. The Korean Church once contributed significantly to social development by building schools and hospitals; likewise, the early church in the Roman Empire cared for orphans, widows, and the sick, even while under persecution. This illustrates the expanded application of “Feed My sheep”—not just caring for those within the community, but also loving society and the world. To accomplish this, the church needs a broadened view of history and the world, refusing to remain confined by its own church or national boundaries. We must share Abraham’s calling, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house” (Gen. 12:1). Pastor David Jang repeatedly underlines that building such a global perspective is essential, advocating that in today’s generation, believers should once again focus on nurturing the second generation, teaching them a biblical view of history, and encouraging them to dream of reaching the nations.
Today, many young people are shaped by a postmodern culture that prioritizes “self,” and thus may say, “I don’t really know where the world is headed; I only care about my personal life and career.” However, the Bible commands, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15) and also, “Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2). It is not a faith that aims at individual salvation alone but invites us to participate in God’s grand plan for the redemption of the world. When the church fails to teach the next generation this biblical perspective on history and the world, the youth become increasingly absorbed in personal gratification and worldly trends, forgetting their “call to fish for souls.” Hence, the lessons in John 21—“Cast the net on the right side” and “Feed My sheep”—apply not only to the apostolic era or “church leaders” but to all parents, educators, and the entire church community.
“Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets,” Peter confessed earlier (Luke 5). Even if we see no fruit in our present reality, when we obey the timing and direction set by the Lord, we can witness the “153 large fish” kind of harvest. This goes beyond mere material prosperity and points to the ultimate salvation of souls and the spread of the Gospel. In his sermons on John 21, Pastor David Jang interprets the 153 fish as follows: “They represent the total sum of the ‘sons of God’ who will enter the net of the Gospel we hold; they are all the children of God called from the nations. And because the net is God’s Word, it will never tear. So, rather than worrying that the net may be too weak, the church should think about how to bring more souls into it.” The statement that “the net is never torn” is thus a declaration of confidence in the firmness of God’s Word and the fullness of its life-giving power.
Ultimately, John 21 issues a dual charge to evangelize and shepherd, framed by an eschatological understanding that shapes how the church must proceed. This passage reveals God’s longing that the “church community will unceasingly expand, while simultaneously caring for and nurturing those already inside.” Church history demonstrates that as the Gospel spread—whether in Roman antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Reformation, or into modern times—“those who have been caught” (i.e., saved souls) and “church communities” to shepherd them have appeared wherever the Good News was proclaimed. Certainly, the world poses challenges and the church has faltered at times, but the core truth remains unchanged: We must cast the net, and we must feed the sheep. Meanwhile, we should not get lost in “calculating times and seasons,” since they belong to God alone. We must faithfully serve our mission today, a perspective encapsulated in the words, “What is that to you?” (John 21:23). Rather than obsessing over when the end will come, we must do the work of evangelism and shepherding, trusting the Father’s authority over the timetable.
That is precisely the implication of “What is that to you?” which Jesus utters in John 21:23. This was addressed to the early church believers, who debated the timing of the Lord’s return, and it also applies to us two thousand years later. Our responsibility is not to figure out the day of Christ’s return but to “continue preaching the Gospel and loving one another through pastoral care until He comes.” Pastor David Jang affirms that “this is the eschatological, missional, and pastoral invitation of John 21.” And he stresses that when launching a new church ministry or gathering in an annual assembly, believers should meditate on these words and reaffirm “God’s grand design for history and the world,” considering each person’s role within it.
If the church becomes too inwardly focused and complacent, it risks losing its sense of direction, casting its net to the left or behind—or simply not casting at all. Furthermore, if the church enjoys even a little prosperity in the world, it can easily forget God’s call and drift into worldly entertainment. But Jesus speaks very plainly in John 21: “Cast the net on the right side. Feed My sheep. And as for the ‘times and seasons,’ they belong to God alone; do not presume upon them. Preach with eschatological awareness.” This command remains valid today. The church’s mission is “to care for and nurture one another within (pastoral care) while bearing witness to the Gospel throughout the world (mission).” This is the “true standard” that should define each year’s ministry and assembly agendas.
When the church takes root in a certain region, people worship God and grow in the Word within the unique culture, seasons, and environment of that locale. One might say that the vivid autumn leaves or the snowy winters of Dover become all the more beautiful because they are touched by the church’s ministry, prayer, worship, and fellowship. The statement “We have entered an era of construction” does not refer merely to building a physical structure. It includes the resolve to “awake to this region and the whole world, forging a new chapter in history.” That begins with “casting the net on the right side”—the direction the Lord reveals—and making every spiritual and practical preparation to “feed the sheep.”
Pastor David Jang and all leaders and believers who, following John 21, dream of united mission and pastoral care, pursue this principle as they found schools to raise the next generation, manage mission centers across the globe, and share the Gospel and love in tangible ways. These endeavors ultimately reflect the reality of “the 153 large fish” and “Feed My sheep” in John 21, as the worldwide church of God’s children (Bənē hāʾĔlōhīm) expands around the globe.
Therefore, we must pay close attention when Jesus poses the question, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me? … Feed My sheep.” If we have believed in the Son of God and obtained eternal life, then we must now strive for the salvation of the world. Even if we are uncertain of the Lord’s exact return date, the church and believers must seize today’s opportunities for mission and pastoral care. The fruit of this labor will lead to the expansion of God’s kingdom in every place we minister (whether Dover or elsewhere), and the next generation will become a people of faith with a solid grasp of history and the world. And when the Lord returns, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” We will rejoice and celebrate with Him forever. This is the conclusion of John 21 and what Pastor David Jang calls “the grand finale of the Gospels.”
Consequently, we see that it is not by chance that John 21 appears as an “appendix” after the conclusion in John 20. The Gospel’s core statement—“believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and gain eternal life” (John 20)—is clearly proclaimed, and then chapter 21 gives us concrete guidance on how to live that faith. That guidance is, “As you await the Lord’s return, do not obsess over times and dates. Rather, faithfully follow the direction (the ‘right side’) and responsibility (‘Feed My sheep’) that I have entrusted to you.” The church holds onto this mandate in its ministry until, at last, it is fully united with Jesus the Bridegroom, as foretold in the book of Revelation. Until that day comes, countless souls—like the 153 fish—will enter the church, and the net (God’s Word) will not be torn.
In this way, two key themes—evangelism and pastoral care—are highlighted in the first and second parts of John 21. Underneath them lies a third significant dimension, “the second coming and an eschatological viewpoint.” Yet John 21 does not specify “when that end will come.” On the contrary, it leaves us with statements like, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” Our priority is not to pinpoint or debate the date of the Lord’s return but to fulfill diligently the commission already given to us (mission and pastoral care). From the early church era to the modern day, humans have often been consumed by the question, “Lord, when will You come?” Yet Jesus responds, “What is that to you? Did I not command you to go forth, preach the Gospel, and feed My sheep?”
So what is the church supposed to do practically? The path outlined in John 21 is quite clear. Just as Jesus loved Peter and told him to feed His sheep, the church must care for one another internally while also taking the Gospel into the world, casting the net as if on the Sea of Galilee. When we combine nurture and mission, the world ultimately witnesses God’s glory, and the church becomes a community of praise and thanksgiving. Pastor David Jang explains, “This is precisely why the church exists today, and it is how we practice the core spirit of John 21.” Moreover, for the church to evangelize effectively in cultural and educational arenas of society, it must instill a scriptural understanding of history and the world in the next generation. Without grasping God’s plan for creation, redemption, and the end times, our youth will easily succumb to worldly temptations, and the church’s mission will be weakened.
John 21, therefore, stands as an additional chapter following the Gospel’s primary ending, describing the miracle and loving dialogue of the risen Christ at the Sea of Tiberias, and detailing the ultimate call of the apostles. Peter’s everyday statement “I am going fishing” paradoxically sets the stage for new beginnings. Jesus tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat and hosts them for a meal of fish and bread on a charcoal fire. He then asks Peter three times, “Do you love Me?”—the same number of times Peter had previously denied Him—and in so doing, heals his past failure and invests him with a renewed calling. This speaks not just to “church leaders” but to “all believers,” calling them to a shared mission of both evangelism and shepherding. In other words, while waiting for the Lord’s return, the church’s charge is to “bring salvation to the nations” and “faithfully feed those already inside.”
This is the message John 21 leaves with us today, and it is the mission Pastor David Jang and countless global leaders dedicated to preaching the Gospel derive from this text. Indeed, the Gospel of John concludes by indicating that there are too many words of Jesus to contain in a single book. But the heart of that abundance is summarized in His question, “Do you love Me?”, and His commands, “Cast the net on the right side,” “Feed My sheep.” When the church obeys these commands, we move beyond mere personal salvation into the grand and gracious sovereignty of God over history and the world. And ultimately, when the Lord returns, we will share eternal life with the multitude of those saved from among all peoples. Looking toward that day, each one of us must remember “the right-hand side” and “Feed My sheep.” Such is the challenge and invitation of John 21 for today’s and tomorrow’s church—indeed, the Lord’s final exhortation that we must not ignore.
Maintaining the main flow of the text and its theological and practical significance, highlighting Pastor David Jang’s interpretation and application, and addressing the church’s tasks (evangelism and pastoral care, next-generation education, establishing a worldview)—all converge on one pivotal conclusion: “After the Gospel’s conclusion (John 20), the most vital mission given to the church is evangelism and shepherding, and the Lord has already prepared the direction and power to accomplish this; hence, we must obey each day.”
