John 21

Good Morning Brothers,

This is the last chapter in John, don't forget, tomorrow we start with Galatians.  Hasn't the book of John been fun?  I have enjoyed the study tremendously.  It has been a daily joy to be able to study the life of Jesus through John's eyes.  I have felt that this chapter a day is like running through the Bible.  There is a difference between running and walking.  When you walk, you enjoy the scenery around you, and notice all the details of various flowers, trees, and landscape.  When you run, you are focused on missing the potholes, trip hazards, and focused intently upon the area in front of you.  The same is true with this study, we are focused and moving toward a deeper understanding of our walk in Christ, we don't have time to linger.

vs. 1-14  This story is self explanatory, I have noticed a few interesting things though.  Peter was a leader in the group, when they ran away in the garden, he followed along with Jesus.  John was the only one that we know of that was with Peter when he denied Jesus 3 times.   In spite of his sin, the other disciples joined in when Peter suggested fishing.  I would like to draw a parallel here, when we fish for men without Jesus we won't catch much.  On the other hand, when we witness with the guidance of Jesus, we will lead many to Christ.  The same is true in our daily lives, when we live and work in our own efforts, without our focus on Christ Jesus, our lives will be unfruitful and we will struggle to get by.  However, when we live our lives focused intently upon Jesus, even if we only have a little, it will be more than sufficient for all of our needs.  He will make it stretch just as in the feeding of the 5000.  To live a successful Christian life, we must listen intently to Christ, and follow His leading in our lives.  What would have happened if the disciples refused to switch sides with the net?  They would not have caught any fish.  Another interesting thing is that this wasn't the first time the disciples saw this occurrence with fishing, look at Luke 5:1-11.  I wonder if Peter jumped in because he thought he could run across the water.  Remember the last time he jumped out of the boat, he ask first, this time he jumped right in, so he learned from past mistakes.  He probably saved time getting to shore because he didn't have to wait to secure the net.  I wonder if Peter did walk across the water,  it is not mentioned that he was wet.  Either way, Peter was not waiting to get to Jesus.

vs. 15-17 Peter is commissioned three different times compared with the three denials of Jesus.  First, the "more than these" refers back to Peters statement at the last supper, Mt 26:33 "But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away."  With this in mind, the first statement reminds Peter of his own words.  Peter simply answers "You know that I love You."  Peter again has learned his lesson of hasty remarks.  In our own strength, we cannot accomplish anything.  I think at this time Peter had made his heart right with the Lord, and had already repented of his sin.  We know that after Peter denied Christ the last time he went out and wept bitterly, this is recorded by all three other Gospels Matt 26:75; Mk 14:72; Lk 22:62, but not John.  (John was still at the scene of the trial during this time.)  As you focus on these three verses, remember that Peter knew he had done wrong, had repented of his sin, and this was the restoration process where Jesus restored him to his calling.  Peter was a broken man, and very careful of the words he used.  You can bet that everytime Peter heard a rooster crow, he was reminded of his humility the rest of his life.

This has been one of my favorite passages for many years simply due to the word play that goes on.  We can see in the light of context why the word play went on, but it is very interesting the words that are used for love.  I have mentioned this before, so I will keep it short.  The first two questions Jesus ask Peter, "do you love (agape) me?"  Agape is a love that is unselfish, it gives regardless of the cost, and expects nothing in return for the giving.  On both questions Peter said "you know that I love (phileo) You."  Phileo love is a love that is a brotherly love, I will love you if you will love me in return, the love that I give out should be given back in equal measure.  In the last question in v. 17, Jesus ask him if he really does phileo Him, Peter was grieved because he had already answered twice that he phileo'd Jesus.  He was probably grieved also because he had demonstrated by denying Jesus 3 times that he was not worthy to claim his love to be agape love.  It is in this heart of humility and brokenness that Jesus calls Peter to tend His lambs, shepherd His sheep and to tend His sheep.  Peter is set us as the leader here.  Contrary to the Catholics belief though, Jesus did not say, Peter, thou art the first pope.  As an interesting sidenote, look at 1 Peter 5:1-11, he speaks of elders shepherding the flock here, but notice his attitude.  It is evident that he learned his lesson well.

vs. 18, 19 Jesus points to the way that Peter will die, we know from historians that Peter was crucified, the difference was that he was crucified upside down because he felt he was not worthy to die as Jesus did.

vs. 20-23 Two things here stand out to me, Peter may not have felt worthy of his calling, he may have felt that John was much more worthy, see v. 21.  I think that Peter may have been trying to pass the job to John who was much more worthy than Peter, he went through the same ordeal at the trial that Peter did, and did not fall. 

The answer that Jesus gives is tremendous, and also sends my mind reeling.  I wonder if John ever did die.  I believe that in Foxes Book of Martyrs, he addresses the life of John, they tried to kill him on many occasions, using many different methods, including trying to boil him in oil.  Finally they exiled him to the island of Patmos where he would be out of the way.  Also I have heard that it was there that he wrote the book of Revelation.  I suppose when we get to heaven we will find out the answer to this statement.  I don't own the book, if any of you do, it would be interesting to find out what he said about John.

vs. 24, 25  We have only received part of the story, the part that is critical for our Christian walk and salvation.  I wonder if when we get to heaven we will hear the rest of the story. 

Lord, as each of us read Your Word today, keep our hearts and minds focused totally upon You.  I pray that each one of us will cast aside our pride and come willingly into Your presence to learn from You as Peter did.

In Him,

Joe Turner