Earlier that morning, Peter had been fishing with his buddies all night, with nothing to show for the effort. Jesus appears on the shore and suggests they throw their nets on the other side. They catch exactly 153 fish. And the net does not break unlike the earlier incident when the nets were breaking and the boats were sinking (Luke 5.1ff.) One of the disciples took time to count them, or Jesus told them how many were there. One commentator suggests the number is indicative of the 'mature sons of Israel' and indicative of the number of times Zion is mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures. Zion is where the mature sons of Israel dwell. Unfortunately for this commentator's precision, another source says that Zion is mentioned at least 157 times.
However, let's assume that there is some connection to Zion, the kingdom of Israel or Jacob. Isaiah 2.3 says, "For out of Zion will come the Torah."
Connecting these dots, we might say that John's writings are indicating that the disciples are forming a new kingdom, new tribes, from which a new Word will be spoken to the rest of the world.
People from many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob's God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the Lord's teachings will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2.3)Unfortunately, Peter's still in the figurative dog house. He "perfectly" (thrice*) denied being a disciple of Christ, a student of the rabbi from Galilee. Despite having to wanting to be exactly like him, wanting to learn to do everything he does like walking on water, Peter couldn't overcome his fear. He insisted that he was not part of the group when confronted by others while Jesus was on trial. His betrayal was perfect.
Could Peter be part of the new kingdom after his betrayal? Jesus restores him "perfectly" (thrice) to the new role of shepherd. No longer would he be a fisher of men. He's now a shepherd, a lowly shepherd. But he's given the job of caring for his rabbi's flock. He has been restored to the kingdom. With that restoration, Peter has been given an important role in the new kingdom. Not only that, but he'll have martyrdom. He'll leave a legacy for the new church. Perhaps his sacrifice might bring life because new believers will be assured of the truth by Peter's willingness to die for his Lord. Just before his walk with Jesus on the beach, he's a traitor. After his walk, he knows that he will bring honor to Jesus Christ through his new vocation and his death.
As Peter contemplates this honor, he sees John. "What about him?" he asks. Perhaps he might be asking if John will have a similar honor, or maybe it will be worse for John because John did not betray Jesus.
Jesus' reply indicates that each disciples path may be unique depending on the role he or she needs to play in the building up of the church. It may not have been that Jesus was putting Peter down or chastising him. Jesus may have been merely saying, "If John's path and vocation is different from yours, you shouldn't worry about that. That's up to me. You need to follow me and do what I command and ask you to do."
*One thing I've learned from a person I respect: when something is mentioned twice (Song of Songs, king of kings, lord of lords, etc.), it's considered the best of what was mentioned. If it's mentioned three times, it's perfect, such as the description of God--'holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty...' (Revelations 4.8)
