JCSLK 73 Jesus and Peter’s Three Questions John 21:1-25

 

JCSLK 73 Jesus and Peter’s Three Questions

Text: John 21:1-25

The Last 40 Days of Jesus Earthly Mission

Women visit the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body – Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-4, Luke 24:1-2

Women discover the empty tomb, Mary runs to Peter and John – Matthew 28:5-7, Mark 16:5-8, Luke 24:3-8, John 20:1-2

Peter and John hurry to the tomb, Mary weeping, lingers – Luke 24:9-12, John 20:3-10

1st appearance: Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene – Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18

2nd appearance: Jesus sends the women to tell the disciples – Matthew 28:8-10

3rd appearance: Jesus walks the Emmaus Road – Luke 24:13-35

4th Jesus appears to His disciples (Thomas absent) – Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-25

5th Jesus appears to Thomas and other disciples – John 20:26-29

6th Appearance By the Sea of Galilee – John 21

7th Appearance Mount of Olives - Acts

Our passage today is the epilogue of the gospel of John. The climax was the resurrection of Jesus from the grave and now John is wrapping up the rest of the story with the appearances of Jesus after his victory over the grave.

No Going Back - John 21:1-3

The Apostles Can’t Be What They Were

Throughout the Bible we see that the Lord loves symmetry. There is a balance and a harmony that we can see to much of what God does. We can see it here the beginning of the Gospel story when Jesus first called His disciples to follow Him, they were fishing in the Sea of Galilee and now in this passage once again they are fishing in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus comes and gives them their last calling.

They were in Galilee waiting for Jesus because after the resurrection that was the message as the angel had told them to do.

Mark 16:5–7 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, ‘Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen, he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

After the women reported this to the apostles, they see Jesus twice, once without Thomas and once with Him. After those appearances and the others to Mary, to the Emmaus road disciples, and sometime to Peter alone, they leave to go back to Galilee, probably after the Days of Unleavened Bread. They go back to Galilee and they wait. We don’t know the exact time or how long they waited. John just says, John 21:1-3 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

While they are waiting, Peter decides to go fishing, afterall for all his life this is what Peter did, he fished for a living. Some believe that Peter is turning his back on his calling as an apostle when He says, “I go a fishing.” I think that may be reading too much into the story we are given.

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary says, “Peter could not stand inactivity. The sight of his boat and the waters of his beloved Galilee, and perhaps the necessity of keeping body and soul together, dictated his sudden announcement. It is hazardous to conclude that Peter was going back to fishing as a permanent occupation. … the verb I go suggests an expedition rather than a career. Further, the concurrence of the other disciples makes it clear that they understood Peter’s purpose to be temporary.” 

Maybe they were bored, maybe they were hungry, maybe they just wanted to go fishing instead of waiting around with no clear instruction from the Lord. But I don’t think these men who had known and served the most powerful man who has ever lived could go back to just being fishermen again. These men who have seen Jesus raise the dead, heal the sick and cast out demons. Could they have gone back to siting around mending nets? These men who Jesus had given the power to perform miracle themselves, who once stood on a mountain and saw Jesus changed before their eyes to shine like the sun, these men who saw Elijah and Moses aren’t going back to just selling fish in the market stall? Peter who had walked on the Sea of Galilee, , wasn’t going back to just throwing a net into that same sea.

No, they could not go back. We might not be sure why they went fishing that day, but one thing was sure, they could never go back, they could never be just the same people they were before. They had met Jesus, they had seen their resurrected Lord, and there is not going back when you meet the creator, savior, Lord, and King of Eternity.

Can Our Life Be As It Was?

This is also true of us, or at least it should be. Can my life be as it was once I have met Jesus who has forgiven my sin, saved my soul and given me eternal life?  No, it will not, it cannot be! You will never be lost again. No, you will never be alone. No, you will never again fear the powers of death and Hell.

Your life can never be the same once you’ve met the resurrected Jesus. Once you have met the very same Jesus that the apostles met, the same Jesus that calmed the storm,  multiplied the loaves and fishes and walked on the water.  Your life has been eternally altered, permanently impowered, miraculously made whole by the shed blood and resurrected life of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Colossians 3:10-11 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Does our life today reveal the reality having met Jesus?  The reality of the resurrection is recorded on the pages of your Bible but it is felt and lived in the pages of your life. Day by day you turn another page of time and events and on each of those pages should be seen Jesus alive.

You are not the same, you are a child of God, you are on your way to heaven. Your values have changed, your thoughts have changed you are not the same person you were. Peter and the other apostles couldn’t permanently return to being just a fisherman. And if you’ve encountered the living Savior, you can’t go back to what you were before.

Illustration: Invasion of the Body Snatcher

Ever see the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Really shocking. Aliens come to earth as little spores from outer space and settle next to you when you sleep. Then during the night, the spore grows into a pod and inside the pod is an exact replica of you. It looks like you and talks like you but it’s not you. Your body has been snatched. 

Well if you’ve been saved, I have news for you, your body has also been snatched.  You may look the same and sound the same but on the inside you’re a whole new person. The difference of course that that instead of being one of the pod people, you’re now one of the God people. But to those around you the change should still be shocking.

 No Forgetting The Lord – John 12:4-14

John 21:4-14 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

The Reality of the Resurrected Savior

Isn’t it always interesting to see the times the Lord chooses to make himself seen? Here they have been waiting patiently for Jesus and nothing happens then the first time they go fishing…. Jesus shows up. Even worse he shows up when Peter is undressed! The Bible says, “he was naked.” Now in her East Texas drawl my Momma would’ve said, Boy, get some clothes on. You’re nekked as a jay bird.” That’s spelled nekked.

I think that Peter was just naked, not nekked, in the sense of not having his outer garment on and was stripped to the waist, while he fished. So the Lord came when least expected but most needed.

The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing but then a stranger on the shore tells them to “put their nets on the right side and they shall find.” This was something they had experienced before with Jesus in the same way. Jesus calls tells them to cast on the other side, a distance of 4 feet makes all the difference and then the nets were filled to overflowing. As soon as the nets filled to overflowing again, there was no doubt, it was Jesus. They had to remember this. They had to realize Jesus had touched their lives before. John says, “It is the Lord.”

John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord.

Peter pulls on his fisher’s coat and jumps into the same sea he once walked on, but this time he swims to shore and the other disciples follow. The waiting is over, Jesus had called and once again Peter and the apostles were answering the call. The waiting was over.

John 21:9-11 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

Here they are 3 years later and once again they are confronted with the power and the provision of Jesus. Once again, He has filled their nets, confirmed their faith and called them to Himself. Why 153 fishes? I don’t know, they Bible doesn’t say and it best we don’t either. We don’t know what Jesus wrote on the ground and we don’t know why this exact number of fish. It is a detail that simply fleshes out this true fish story.

What is important is that Jesus once again called them to shore, provided for them, knew exactly where to find them and now He had a plan that He would reveal to them.

The Reality of the Being With Jesus

You know what the cure is for acting and thinking the same way you did before you were saved? The same thing that happened to the disciples, needs to happen to us. You need a face-to-face, heart to heart encounter with the resurrected Savior.

And yes it can and should happen, often in the same way it happened to the disciples. You’ll will be toiling along in your life the way you used to and it will seem to be as empty as the empty nets of the apostles that long night.  All your knowledge, training and experience will not give you what is needed to make your life full.

It will be at those times that Jesus will appear. You may not recognize Him at first.  It may have been awhile since you’ve walked and talked with Him. Or it may be that you have forgotten the way it felt when Jesus was with you daily.

Oh, it may seem that you’ve forgotten Jesus but believe me, Jesus hasn’t forgotten you. He will know exactly where you are, exactly what to say, what to do or what to ask or to remind you, “You’re not the same person you were before. You are my servant now. I call you friend now. I have touched your heart, changed your life and saved your soul.  You are not your own. You have been bought with my outpoured blood. Now, remember who you in Me. You are mine and I will not let you go back to what you once were.”

Jesus looks us straight in the heart and says, “Come and fellowship with me. Come and walk with me. Come and talk with Me.”

That’s what I need to bring me back to the reality of who I am. I need fellowship with Jesus.  He knows that and if you are His you will hear him call over and over again in your life, “Come and Dine. Come and be with Me. Come and experience the love and power of one who has defeated sin and death and now wants to share that love and power with you.”

Come and Dine

This was a favorite song of my Grandma George and my Mom Suzie. They both loved to think of the day when they would be in the presence of the Savior eternally.

The disciples came to land,

Thus obeying Christ's command,

For the Master called unto them, "Come and dine";

There they found their heart's desire,

Bread and fish upon the fire;

Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.

 

Jesus has a table spread

Where the saints of God are fed,

He invites His chosen people, "Come and dine";

With His manna He doth feed

And supplies our every need:

O 'tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!

Refrain: "Come and dine," the Master calleth, "Come and dine";

You may feast at Jesus' table all the time;

He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,

To the hungry calleth now, "Come and dine."

Once Jesus had brought the disciple back to himself, once he had fed them. He also supplied they with 153 fish, showing that he as provide for them and their families as they served Him. Now, it was time to recommission them into his service and to appoint a pastor to take his place.

No Longer The Same

John 21:15-19 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Peter’s Three Questions

Three times Peter is asked by Jesus, “Do you love me?”  The first time Jesus uses Simons full name, “John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”

Simon, not Peter his nickname, Simon do you love me more than these? More than all the other apostles. Now that is a hard question to answer. Peter has known, worked, lived and grown up with most of these men. One was his own brother Andrew. Simon, do you love me with a love that exceeds your love for all others. Peter doesn’t hesitate, He answers “Yes Lord, you know that I love thee.” Jesus then tells him, “Feed my lambs.”

Then as they walk Jesus asks again, “Simon, son of Jona, do you love me?” The same word for love but this time Jesus doesn’t ask for qualification or comparison. Just Simon, do you love me. Simon again gives the same answer, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” Same word, phileo. Jesus then says, “Feed my sheep.” Here the word feed means to care for, to shepherd Jesus’ sheep, His church.

The crisis point that the Lord is leading to comes with the third question. “Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?” And Jesus uses the word for love that Peter had been using in his answer. This breaks Peter, the Bible says he was grieved that Jesus asked the question the third time but now seems to question even the love that Peter has been declaring. Jesus then says feed my sheep, using the word he had used for the lambs.

The first two times, Jesus asks Simon Peter, “Do you love me?”  Jesus uses the word agape, for love. It means a love that is sacrificial, self-giving and unconditional. But Peter answers with another world for love, phileo. It means love as a great and strong affection, It is love as much as mortal man can love, love as great as Peter can love. Jesus asks Peter twice, “Do you love me with a sacrificial love and twice Peter responds, “I love you as much as is humanly possible, as much as I can love.”

Then the third time the question changes. When Jesus, “Simon, lovest (phileo) thou me.” He uses the same word Peter answered with, phileo. In other words, Jesus seemed to be saying “Peter do you really love me even that much? Can you love me that much?”

Now we understand why Peter’s heart breaks.  This is just what Jesus needed to happen. Jesus knew that Peter had to be broken in order for him to be a blessing to Jesus’ sheep, to His church.  On the night of Lord’s arrest He had told his Savior, “Though all others leave thee.  I will never forsake thee.”  Peter in his own strength said I will not run. My love for you will keep me by your side. I will die with you.” 

Peter promised He would not betray Jesus, but just as Jesus told him, before the rooster crowed, Peter that night denied his Lord and Savior.

Not once but three times, even cursing and swearing, to strengthen his denial. Three denials from Peter that night in the courtyard, and now this morning on the Sea of Galilee, there were three questions from Jesus.  Peter, do you love me? The questions were asked and Peter’s heart broken. Jesus knew what he was doing. He needed a pastor for His church once He was gone and that Pastor had to understand. He had to realize that his love, strength and will would not be enough. He needed the love, strength and power of Jesus. He would need a love that would never fail.

When Peter broke down and cried out, “Lord, thou know all things you know that I love thee,” the lesson was learned, and Peter was commissioned as the shepherd of the Lord’s most precious possession, His church. In a sense this was Peter’s ordination a pastor. Instead of several pages of questions, there were just three but the truth those three taught were heart breaking, but also life empowering.

Our Three Questions

Let me close with three questions of our own. Three questions that if we know the answer will break our hearts but also empower our lives from here to eternity.

1st Do you know who you are?

Child of this world do you know who you are? If you’ve never met the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ you are lost. Without hope without peace with joy in a world that will use you up and then discard you.  If you have refused to hear his voice speaking to your heart and calling you to himself then you are on your way to a place prepared for the Devil and his angels.  A place that God has done everything within his power to keep you from.  

2nd Do you know who Jesus is

Jesus asks us about our knowledge of Himself, about our relationship with Him.  For this answer makes all the difference of time and eternity. The only difference between and eternity in heaven or an eternity in hell is knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. The only difference between a life wasted and a life worthwhile is Jesus. Do you know who Jesus is and do you know Him in your heart and soul and savior and Lord? 

3rd, Do you know Jesus loves you?

I believe the Lord asks us all if we really know how much He loves us. To the lost He asks, “Have you seen my hands, my feet and my side? These are the marks of my love for you. I poured my love through the wounds of my body and so great was my love for you that it took me to the cross where I shed my blood for you? Do you know how much I love you?

To the Christian He also still asks, do you know how much I love you? I love you so much that the grave could not hold me and death could not contain me.  I love you so much that each moment at my Fathers side I plead for you. I love you so much that I will never leave you, I will always be there in every trial, every pain, every sorrow. I love you so much I’ve called you into my service. I love you so much I’m coming back one day to take you home with me.  Child of God, do you know my love?

How you respond to these questions determines how God will respond to you. Will you have a life worth living, a life that counts for eternity or only a life that’s lived and then it over.

After Sir Walter Raleigh was beheaded they found this poem in his Bible.

Even such is time, that takes in trust.

Our youth, our joys, our all we have.

And pays us but with age and dust;

Who in the dark and silent grave,

When we have wandered all our ways,

Shuts up the story of our days.

But from this earth, this grave, this dust,

My God shall raise me up, I trust!

Conclusion:

On that first Resurrection Day after the disciples realized that Jesus was truly alive, and it changed them forever.  No longer were they afraid for Jesus had conquered death, no longer were they hiding in the upper room for Jesus was alive and in this world and with them.

What a difference it can make in our life if could just realize with that same kind of wondrous shock, Jesus is really alive and he is my creator, Lord, Savior and King..