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“The
Epilogue” • 4.26.20 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday
Morning Service
Intro.
- The Apostle John has effectively completed
his gospel in the last chapter. If it were a movie, the screen would have faded
to black and even run through the credits.
- Chapter 21
is the scene that pops back up to address things that the audience would have
wanted to know. This is John's epilogue and it contains two events.
- There is an unusual breakfast in verses 1-14 and an extraordinary conversation
from 15-23. Let's have a look at
verse 1.
Text
• John 21:1-3 : "After
these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of
Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon
Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of
Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon
Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.' They said to him, 'We are going
with you also.' They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night
they caught nothing." : It hasn't been too long
since our previous chapter, but the scene is quite different.
- The disciples are no longer in a room hidden
from view in Jerusalem. They are in the north of Israel, back in the region of
Galilee, 80 miles from Jerusalem.
- The Lord instructed them to go there
according to Matthew 26:32, 28:16 and Mark 16:7. In a sense, Jesus has called them back to the very
beginning of their journey with Him.
- Jesus had called at least three of these seven
men from right there on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, called later in
history, the Sea of Tiberias by the Romans.
- They are to meet Jesus upon a mountain, but
Peter has the sea in mind. Some believe that the language bears out an
intention to return to fishing permanently, vocationally.
- What we do know is that the men were together
and willing to follow Peter out into the boat for the entire night which proved
to be an exercise in futility! Not even one to throw back! Verse 4.
•
John 21:4-6 : "But when the morning had now come,
Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, 'Children, have you any food?' They answered Him, 'No.' And He said to them, 'Cast the net
on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in
because of the multitude of fish." : This
certainly wasn't the first time that Peter, James and John had pulled an all
nighter.
-
In fact, one of their first experiences with Jesus came after an all night
goosegg! (Luke 5:1-11) They are
tired, it's still dark and out of the faint morning light, they hear a voice.
-
The question is what every person asks of a fisherman. It's their version of
"Did you catch anything? Such an innocent question with such a cutting
reply. It killed them to admit they hadn't!
-
These are professionals with the best equipment and great knowledge of the sea.
Nothing!
-
As the echo of the word "nothing" dissipated into the air, the voice
at the shore told them to cast their net over to the right side of the boat.
This is about the worst fishing advice in history.
-
The net they would have been using would have been a 15-20 foot in diameter
net, fitted with weights on the corners to help it sink to the bottom.
-
This is absurd, but when has God ever given advice that made earthly sense?
Build a boat on dry land. Bring down the walls with a shout. Put your net out
on the other side.
-
They don't question Him aloud but they could tell that something was
"fishy!" And sure enough, the nets were nearly lost as the catch
overwhelmed these seven men! Verse 7.
•
John 21:7-11 : "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus
loved said to Peter, 'It is the Lord!' Now when Simon Peter heard that it was
the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into
the sea. But the other disciples came in the
little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits),
dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals
there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, 'Bring some of the fish which you have just
caught.' Simon
Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and
fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken." : Oh John! Good for you! He's the first to put it together and it
makes sense!
-
The closer you are to Jesus, the more familiar His voice will be! When Peter
heard this, he put his clothes on and jumped in!? Good ol' "Ready, Fire,
Aim" Peter!
-
He has to face the Lord for leading this little time of shore leave! He gets
his clothes back on and jumps into the sea, swimming for about 300 feet.
-
They have only caught the fish at His word, they are working hard to bring the
fish to land and what do they see when they get to shore? Jesus already has
breakfast going!
-
"Oh good! Let's have some of what you caught!" That's when Peter took
up the 153 large catch by himself and brought it to shore, the miracle being
that the net held up against the weight.
-
If these men thought that they could abandon their call and re-enter their
life, this cured them!
-
Rest assured, once the Lord calls you to fulfill His purpose, every other
venture will be as frustrating as the one you have just examined!
-
The Lord will allow you to follow your own plan and when you have followed it
to exhaustion, frustration and depression, He'll still be standing there ready
to direct you back to Himself!
-
Unlike our plans, when He gives His word, there is so much fruit, you can
barely manage it! I pray that we will be wise enough to absorb the lesson.
Verse 12.
•
John 21:12-14 : "Jesus said to them, 'Come and eat breakfast.' Yet none of the disciples dared
ask Him, 'Who are You?'—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread
and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus
showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead." : Despite John's proclamation from the boat and their collective
knowledge, these men would not verbally confirm that this was Jesus who served
them breakfast.
-
Even Thomas was quiet, not wanting to break the moment! But the lesson is clear
: When Jesus calls His obedient people, their work is effective and their needs
are met!
-
On this third occasion, Jesus became visible to them, reminding them that even
when they didn't see Him, He was there present with them.
-
Having dealt with the disciples as a whole, Jesus turns now to a more personal
matter. V 15.
•
John 21:15 : "So when they had eaten breakfast,
Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do
you love Me more than these?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.'
He said to him, 'Feed My
lambs.'" : Some believe that this is the
first time that Jesus has addressed Peter's failure, but that can't be so.
-
According to Paul, Jesus appeared to Peter first (I Corinthians 15:5) sometime between the events of the tomb and the
first evening service, recorded in John
20.
-
He has reconciled with Peter privately and personally. Peter's denial however,
had been public and seeing as he is naturally leading the disciples, they need
to hear their Lord's restoration.
-
When breakfast was over, Jesus called out to Peter by his given name:
"Simon, son of Jonah." Can you feel Peter's heart drop?
-
Jesus used his old name, "Shifting sand!" He had grown to like
"Rocky" much better!
-
Beyond that, the Lord had asked him a penetrating personal question, loud
enough for the rest of the men to hear. "Do you love me more than
these?"
-
Peter had said in front of all of them, "even if all are made to stumble,
I will never be made to stumble." (Matthew
26:33) Peter believed in his own strength, power and resolve.
-
None of that is in question now. Peter has revealed just how weak, powerless
and prone to fail he is on his own! The question that Jesus asks His disciple
will always relate itself to love!
-
Jesus asks him if he loves Him more than these. What was Jesus referring to?
What are the "these" that Jesus pointed to? It's not clear from the
text.
-
Is it fish or fishing, the identity of a past? Is it that his love is greater
for Jesus than his fellow disciples? Is it that his love for Jesus exceeds their
love? The answer is "yes!"
-
I should love the Lord more than my previous comfort zones, more than the
friends that I love and I should strive to love Him as much as I can,
regardless of another's level.
-
"Do you love, "agape" me to a greater degree than these?"
Is your love for Him akin to the kind of unconditional, unwavering love that
God has for His people?
-
Peter can barely lift his eyes and with shocking measurement, he answers Jesus,
effectively, "You can see that I love you like a brother."
-
I can see Jesus staring right at him "Feed, pasture my little lambs."
I can hear the waves gently lapping the shore as the statement hits it's mark.
-
Peter was to look after the greatest need of the most vulnerable and dependant
little lambs that belonged to Jesus!
-
There are proverbial children in faith that Peter is to be sure are fed while
He is away. He was to be a fisher and feeder of men! Peter might think things
are over. They're not! Verse 16.
•
John 21:16 : "He said to him again a second time,
'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.'
He said to him, 'Tend My sheep.'" : Jesus comes back around with a very similar question. He again
uses Peter's given name and this time, asks only if he loves Him. It's four
words in Greek.
-
"Agapao me?" Forget about the others. Let's not compare this time.
This time, it's going to be simply directed at Peter. "Do you love
me?"
-
Peter is even more resolute this time, having already answered this question.
He answers with the same words. "Jesus, you are able to perceive that I
love you like a brother!"
-
Jesus again, staring at Peter, simply says "Tend My sheep." The word
"tend" is a much more broad word, which speaks of taking a Shepherd's
responsibility for His sheep.
-
They are not to ever be Peter's sheep. Again, they belong to Jesus! They are
His sheep and His alone! Tend, shepherd, rule over with consideration, MY
sheep!
-
Earlier, Peter was to feed His lambs. The little ones most important need was
to receive nourishment at the beginning of their lives. This word speaks of
older sheep.
-
When this word is used elsewhere, it's translated, "well stricken!"
That sounds about right!
-
To be able to feed lambs is fairly simple. To tend sheep requires relationship,
give and take. The Shepherd must know the sheep he leads in order to lead them.
-
The older a lamb becomes, the more complicated the needs and the more patience
is required. Peter probably thinks that he's got it.
-
"Nourish those that are young, be concerned with and thoughtful toward those
that are old. Got it!" Jesus is not finished! Verse 17.
•
John 21:17 : "He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said
to him the third time, 'Do
you love Me?' And
he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'" : For a third time, Jesus repeats His question to Simon. In
English, there is again, little difference, but the Greek is evocative.
-
"Simon, do you love me like a brother." Jesus does not even use the
highest form of love, the "God standard" form of the word
"love." Instead, He condescends to Peter's level of love.
-
Peter has answered that he loved Jesus like a brother twice and here, in this
third round of questioning, Jesus asks Him if he loves Him even in this way!
What a shot to the heart!
- By this time, Peter is hit with a heavy
sadness. His heart is just broken for the fact that Jesus had even questioned
his brotherly love.
-
With whatever he had left, he resigned and committed himself to the Lord's
knowledge of things in general and His specific, personal experience to which
Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep."
-
Older sheep need to feed as well! We never outgrow the need for food! Jesus
commissions His minister to always remember that feeding is the first part of
tending to His sheep!
-
When Peter has had a moment to consider all of this, the Lord lays something
quite remarkable before him. Verse 18.
•
John 21:18,19 : "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were
younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old,
you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where
you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.
And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.'" : Jesus is
giving Peter a vision of His life from His own God perspective and it is
striking. Consider what Jesus has just charged him with!
-
Jesus is leaving His sheep, His people, in Peter's care, but Peter had already
failed Him miserably. Can you imagine the stress that he was feeling as the
Lord extended this call to him?
-
"If I denied Him to His face three times, how am I going to serve Him
while He's away?"
-
The Lord knows and ministers to that very anxious thought. Peter's youth was a
picture of his previous service. He took care of his own needs and went where
he pleased.
-
"But when you are old." Our word "geriatrics" comes from
this word. Someday, Peter will be old and his arms will be stretched out, a euphemism
for crucifixion!
-
He'll be clothed, the word is better translated "bound" and as a
prisoner would be moved along to where he didn't want to go!
-
The bad news is that Peter would be crucified. The good news is that he
wouldn't fail the Lord again! He would make it to the end and His death would
glorify the Lord!
-
Earlier, Jesus had asked Peter if He "agaped" him. Peter was honest.
"Phileo" was all he could confidently promise. Jesus said, "I'll
take it and by the end will make it what it needs to be!"
-
What a touching and beautiful moment for Peter to have with the Lord, right
there at Galilee!
-
Three times he denied Him. Three times, Jesus gave to him the chance to affirm
his love for Him. His love would blossom into a life of service!
-
According to church history, Peter was crucified by Nero right after Paul had
been beheaded. He was scourged and his crucifixion, according to one
commentator, lasted three days!
-
He died, having been crucifed upside down, next to his wife, who was also crucified!
On this day, Peter is relieved and ready to follow Him, but a burning question
had to be asked. Verse 20.
•
John 21:20,21 : "Then Peter, turning around, saw the
disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the
supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?' Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, 'But
Lord, what about this man?'" : Peter
and Jesus have been talking while walking, which is such a wonderful picture to
me.
-
Jesus has just eaten with a disciple whose actions had been offensive. Now,
they are walking together. Jesus died to create this moment with each of His
disciples! What interrupts this?
-
When the disciple that should be looking straight ahead, turns around to ask
about another disciple! Turning around, turning aside or turning toward is a
turn away from where you are going!
-
Peter is grateful but curious as he sees John continually following along,
probably even taking notes on all that was being said. What prompted this
question from Peter?
-
Had the Lord's grace been so wonderful to him, the offender, that it made him
wonder how much greater it would be toward John, the beloved? Was this genuine
concern?
-
"Lord, how is this kid going to make it in this world?" Could it have
been a final vestige of competitive pride? We aren't told. Sometimes, we're
just curious.
-
Sometimes, we'd rather that the Lord looked somewhere else beside us! Verse 22.
•
John 21:22,23 : "Jesus said to him, 'If I will that
he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow
Me.' Then this
saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus
did not say to him that he would not die, but, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?'" : Much of how you read the Bible will be colored by how you see
it's characters.
-
There are some who see Jesus looking sternly at Peter, fire in His eyes, voice
reminiscent of thunder, bellowing this out toward this impudent man! "How
dare you question me!"
-
I imagine the Lord with a smile, patting His disciple on the shoulder,
correcting his focus.
-
"If I will." Whatever was going to happen to John was firmly within
the jurisdiction of the Lord's desire for Him. "He might even be standing
here when I come! How do you like that!?"
-
Every believer's life is intricately planned and purposed. Some of us will
spend years trying to live in it and many more will spend greater years seeking
to be content in it.
-
Peter's violent and awful death would bring glory to God. John's martydom by
incredibly long life would be just as glorious to the Lord's reputation!
-
What we are, what we will do, what we become and what impact any of that has on
the world will be up to Him and Him alone! That truth is truly wonderful to
rest and trust in!
-
God is wonderful enough to have a purpose for our lives and powerful enough to
effect it! I'm sure John was thankful to hear that part.
-
But it's the second part of that section that most of us need to hear. Whatever
the Lord chooses to do with another person has no bearing on you.
-
We don't need to concern ourselves with the walks and works of our brothers and
sisters! That is outside of our purview and way above our pay grade!
-
Our entire life is wrapped up in the very next phrase: "You follow
me!" You will never be held accountable for serving the Lord like another
person does. You decide to follow Jesus!
-
Isn't it interesting that the Lord's final words in the gospel of John are this
simple: "You follow me!" Let that sink in and let that be your standing
order!
-
The moment you start looking around at the others that are serving Him is same
moment that you begin to lose sight of where He is leading you!
-
Funny, but this conversation caused quite a bit of confusion for years to come.
John may have included this little bit, just to clear that up, but we're
grateful he did!
-
Many of us needed the encouragement to keep our eyes upon the One worth
following! V.24.
•
John 21:24,25 : "This is the disciple who testifies
of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is
true. And
there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one
by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that
would be written. Amen." : It is always bittersweet to
come to the end of a study.
-
John, the disciple that Jesus was talking about, adds his voice to the veracity
of all that his account claimed was true. He wrote them and it was certain that
his record was accurate.
-
John has been alive so long, telling the exact same story that it couldn't be
anything but true! Nobody who knew him and knew what he had gone through for
the gospel would dispute it!
-
By this time, John had already survived being boiled in oil and being exiled to
Patmos. He never recanted his story! If anything in life was ever true, it was
what John wrote to me and you!
-
It was accurate but never make the mistake of thinking that what he was writing
was comprehensive! John let us in on what we needed to know, not all that there
was to know!
-
If he had written everything down, the book of John would have been a series of
encyclopedias that none of us would have been able to carry!
-
All we must carry is the belief that the Christ that His gospel affirms to be
the Son of God, the Savior of the World is indeed who He said He was. May His
Spirit grant us grace to believe it!
Conclusion
- Let's pray!