Resurrection Road pt6

This week we end our series “Resurrection Road” by looking at an incredible post-resurrection encounter with Jesus.Today we will be examining a story in John 21. This is the story where Jesus reinstates Peter as one of his disciples. If you are familiar with Marvel movies, you know they always have a bonus scene after the movie ends and the credits are finished rolling. Sometimes they are just a funny scene, other times they may pave the way for other Marvel movies. Though I think the real reason for post-credits scenes is to encourage people to watch the credits. Prior to marvel people would just simply leave the movie theater as soon as the credits roll. Now people stay and watch the credits! The reason I mention the post credit scenes in Marvel movies is because John 21 is the post-credit scene equivalent in the gospels. In John chapter 20 the gospel seems to end when John mentions the miracles of Jesus would fill every library if they were all recorded. This seems like the place where John originally intended to end his gospel. However then we have John 21 which exists as almost a bonus scene. This may be a bonus chapter, but the reinstatement of Peter is an extremely important part of our faith.

READ John 21:15-19

John 21:15–19 ESV

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Before we get to this passage we had the likewise famous story where Jesus greets his disciples after a bad night of fishing. Like his first encounter, Jesus tells the disciples to cast their net on the other side of the boat. The disciples comply, and they have more fish they can handle. This is the point the disciples realize that it’s Jesus, and they rush to the shore. Peter can’t even wait for the boat, he jumps out and swims to shore. The disciples arrive to find Jesus cooking fish on the shore

This part of the story makes Jesus and his disciples very relatable in my opinion. Something about Jesus cooking breakfast for his disciples is a very human moment. It’s a brief moment which shows how they are a close knit group of people

Our story picks-up soon after Jesus and his disciples have finished eating. This is our famous story. Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him. The first 2 times Peter responds as normal, however the third time Peter is grieved because he understands what is happening. Jesus is directly addressing his betrayal. Peter responds the third time by saying. “Lord, you know all things, you know I love you. When Jesus responds he tells Peter about the suffering he would have to endure in the name of Jesus. Afterward Jesus tells Peter to follow him. We can’t underestimate the importance of this moment. These words weren’t spoken flippantly, they were intentional. The phrase “follow me” was customarily used by rabbis to call their disciples. Jesus is once again officially calling Peter to rejoin their ranks.

This story is one of the best redemptive stories in the bible. When you think about Peter’s failure, it’s among the worst ways to fail Jesus. Peter completely denies knowing Jesus. Consider what Jesus and the scriptures said about this very thing.

Matthew 10:33 ESV

but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Mark 8:38 ESV

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

The scriptures condemn Peter's actions. However Jesus instead brings Peter to his moment of failure, and instead of shaming him, he brings him to that moment for healing. Jesus brings him to this moment to bring him grace and forgiveness. This story is a great example of just how far the grace of Jesus reaches. The actions which call for our condemnation and shame are instead met with grace and mercy.

Without this moment we do not have a rock upon which Jesus builds his church. Without this moment Peter's name would be synonymous with Judas.

As said earlier, this moment is one of the greatest examples of redemption in all of the bible. However, what if I told you there could have been one better? Unfortunately we will never have that chance. Why? It’s because of the way 2 different people would respond to absolute failure.

Over the years many people have questioned whether or not it was fair that Judas was essentially predestined to betray Jesus. In order for the sacrifice of Jesus to unfold, the betrayal was ultimately necessary. That roll was filled by Judas. Was it fair for Judas to be predestined for such failure? What does this mean if someone is destined for such great sin. Can they avoid such a fate? These are all fantastic questions. It seems to imply that Judas was helpless to become synonyms with betrayal.

However, suggesting Judas was helpless in his choices isn’t correct. Why? Because Judas could have responded to his failure in a completely different way. Judas was not barred or prevented from repenting. If Judas would have chosen to seek forgiveness and redemption, I have no doubt he would have been forgiven and redeemed. So why didn’t he seek forgiveness? Why did he choose to end his life, while Peter, who failed in a similar way, was forgiven? It’s because of the way the 2 men responded. Peter responded to his failure with Repentance. Judas responded to failure with remorse.

Repentance vs Remorse At first glance it might seem like repentance and remorse are both good things. However, that is a dangerous trap far too many people have fallen into. So let’s look at the difference between repentance and remorse.

Repentance leads you to seek God, while remorse leads you to hide from them. Repentance leads us to change, remorse leads us to remain stuck in a place of misery and sadness. Repentance frees us from our failure. Remorse leads us to cling to them. Repentance leads you to a new life, remorse leads to death.

Do not be remorseful when you can be repentant. Satan wants you to hold onto our failure. He wants them to stick to us like glue. He does this by leading us to be remorseful, as Judas was remorseful. Instead we must let Christ free us through repentance and surrender. As Peter repented and surrendered. Let Christ bring you freedom from your failures, as Peter was freed from his.