Jesus & Peter
John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Well, you may not believe it, but after 57 weeks we have come to the conclusion of the book of John. Well, at least after this morning, we should be finished with the book of John.
To be honest, I have mixed emotions. I absolutely love the Gospel of John. You see, I love John’s perspective of Jesus. So, I love studying it.
But we have a lot to cover, if we are going to finish out this book. If you have your Bibles, and honestly I hope that you do, turn with me to the last chapter of the book of John—the 21st chapter—and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.
Epilogue
Epilogue
While it seems like the story ended with the last verse of chapter 20, John now gives us one more encounter between Jesus and His disciples. This should not surprise us, because it is indicative of John’s writing style.
He began with a “prologue” (Jn. 1:1-18). Now, he ends with an epilogue (Jn 21).
Some scholars have argued that this chapter was added later by an anonymous write. However, the linguistic evidence does not support this argument. All of the linguistic features are consistent with Johannian writing.
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:
John begins by giving us a vague time reference—later.
Next, he tells us the theme of this section, which is Jesus’ appearance to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. John is the only gospel writer that uses the Greek name for the body of water and actually calls it the Sea of Tiberias. This may because of the audience for which he was writing—particularly a Roman readership.
Finally, he indicates that this is an eye witness account by saying, “it happened this way: . . .
Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
John tells us that 7 of the 11 disciples were gathered together (v. 2):
Simon Peter—Fisherman
Thomas (Didymus)
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee
James — the sons of Zebedee—Fisherman
John — the sons of Zebedee—Fisherman
One of Two unnamed disciples
Two of Two unnamed disciples
NOTE: The exact number may have been designed to add credibility to John’s account, since 7 is the number of completion to the Jews (cf. Gen. 2:2-3).
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Peter states that he is going to go fishing (v. 3a).
How do we handle this announcement?
Well, some scholars have seen this as Peter’s announcement that he was returning to his old way of life as a fisherman, permanently.
However, the text doesn’t bear this out.
Peter could have been expressing his intention to go back and do what he was used to doing. Perhaps it was hard for him to sit around and wait for Jesus to appear again. After all, Jesus had told them to go to Galilee and wait for Him there (cf. Mt. 28:7; Mk. 14:28)
It is possible that Peter needed to earn some money in order to support his family.
Some have suggested that Peter was fulfilling his fleshly desires and returned to the Sea of Galilee instead of the mountain in Galilee (cf. Mt. 28:16). This view doesn’t seem likely.
I prefer the thought that Peter was tired of sitting around waiting and so he decided to do something that he loved—fishing! This was something that was comfortable for him, and that he was good at doing.
Maybe I like this, because there are times when I prefer comfort over everything else! Yet, here’s the KEY—God is far less concerned about my comfort and more concerned about my obedience!
The others decided that they would go with him (v. 3b).
So, they all got into the boat (v. 3c).
Then they fished all night (v. 3d).
And they caught NOTHING (v. 3e). Nothing is more difficult to handle than to do something you are really good at doing, but to end up with nothing!
Here is Jesus!
Here is Jesus!
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
John gives us a time marker. It is early in the morning. The disciples most likely fished all night, so now it is early morning, perhaps about dawn.
While the boat may not have been very far out into the lake (cf. v. 8; about 100 yards off shore) the disciples did not recognize Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
That’s when Jesus calls out to the disciples.
Notice the word the NIV translates “Friends” really means boys, lads, children.
So Jesus asks the “boys” if they have some fish. The context seems to have Jesus asking them if they have any fish that he could have or purchase.
They answer back, that they have not caught anything. Did you catch this? These seasoned fishermen have caught NO fish!
Can you imagine how discouraged they must have been to return to a trade that they were really good at, and not catch a single fish all night long? It is the worse question a fishman an be asked if their boat is empty!
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Jesus tells the crew to throw out their nets again. This time on the “right” side of the boat.
This must have seemed to be a ridiculous request. After all, these men had been fishing all night. They had thrown their nets off every side of the boat multiple times. Yet, now this voice from the shore says to thrown the net, again. This time on the “right side” of the boat.
The stranger continues by saying that they will find the fish on that side!
When they threw the net out, there were so many fish in the net that the disciples were unable to haul the huge catch and get all the fish into the boat.
NOTE: This is not the first time that the disciples have seen this miracle. Look back at Luke 5:4-7, and you will see the same kind of thing happened.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
As soon as the net was filled with fish, John told Peter that the man on the shore was Jesus. He remembered what had happened before (cf. Lk. 5:4-7)(v. 7a).
When Peter heard John say this, he grabbed his robe and jumped into the water—he is heading to Jesus (v. 7b).
The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
We learn that the boat was about 100 yards from the shore (v. 8a).
The disciples followed Peter—heading to the shore, pulling the net full of fish (v. 8b).
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
When they got to shore, they saw several things:
They saw a fire of coals burning there (v. 9a).
Over the coals there was fish cooking (v. 9b).
And there was some bread (v. 9c)
QUESTIONS: Where did Jesus get the fish and bread? How long had Jesus been there—after all there was a fire of coals?
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
Jesus calls to the disciples and tells them to bring with them some of the fish they has just caught (v. 10).
So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
So Peter climbs back into the boat, and drags the net ashore to get some of the fish (v. 11a).
We are told that the net was filled with 153 large (Gk. large, great, surprising, big) fish (v. 11b).
And even with so many fish, the nets did not tear (v. 11c). That was a miracle in and of itself.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
Jesus invites them to come and eat breakfast (v. 12a).
Interesting part of the verse—none of them dared ask him who he was (v. 12b).
Yet, then we are told in the next phrase, “They knew it was the Lord” (v. 12c). This seems to lets us know that the disciples were having difficulty in accepting the truth of the risen Savior.
For the disciples there seems to be a disconnect between seeing and believing. This is despite the fact that this was the third time Jesus had appeared to the disciples (cf. Jn. 20:19, 26; 21:14).
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
At this point, Jesus took some of the bread and gave it to the disciples (v. 13a).
And then he took some of the fish and gave it to the disciple (v. 13b).
Perhaps this was a reminder that was meant to take them back to the Upper Room and their Last Supper with Him.
This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
John reminds us that this was the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples.
He appeared to them Easter Sunday evening in John 20:19.
He appeared a week later in John 20:26.
And now here—we are not really sure how long after the first two appearances this appearance happened (v. 14).
Jesus Reinstates Peter
Jesus Reinstates Peter
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
John fills us in on the fact, that everyone was finished eating, Jesus begins to talk to Peter (v. 15a).
This may have taken place in private—i.e. Jesus and Peter walking down the beach while John was within earshot, or it may have been done in front of the other six.
Nevertheless, this follows the pattern that Jesus used in the Upper Room Discourse—eating followed by a lesson.
As Jesus speaks to Peter, he in essence, uses Peter’s full name—Simon Peter, Son of John (v. 15b). Jesus addressed Peter this way several times:
When Jesus calls Peter to follow him (cf. Jn. 1:24).
At Peter’s great confession of Jesus as the Son of God (cf. Mt. 16:17).
When Peter fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane (cf. Mk. 14:37).
Since Jesus only addressed Peter this was a few time, it seems to highlight that what Jesus is about to say is extremely important.
Jesus speaks to Peter and asks him if he loves Jesus more than these (v. 15c). The immediate question is what did Jesus think Peter loved more than him?
He could have been asking Peter if he loved Jesus more than fishing—the occupation that he had done since his youth.
Jesus could have been asking Peter if he loved him more that his other buddies—more than the group that had gathered around him.
We do not know with certainty what the more than theses phrase addresses.
NOTE: Perhaps that it why John wrote it this way. Everyone of us faces this question: Do I love Jesus more than __________? We must ask ourselves what we love more than we love Jesus.
It should be noted that Jesus questioned Peter’s commitment despite the fact that Peter had previously professed his complete devotion to him in both word and deed (cf. Jn. 13:37; 18:10). In fact, Peter had claimed that his love and devotion was so great that no matter what anyone else did, he would remain loyal to the Lord (cf. Mt. 26:33; Mk. 14:29; Lk. 22:33).
Yet with all of these promises, Peter had still denied Jesus—three times! This should serve as a reminder that today I may confess my complete dedication to the Lord Jesus and deny him the next day.
The word John uses for love is the Greek word agapao. This was generally used as the strongest type of love—a love that did not depend on the other person’s ability to do anything for my—Unconditional love (v. 15d).
Peter responds by using a different word for love. He uses the Greek word philo.
Some scholars do not pay any attention to the use of different Greek words. However, I believe that it might indicate Peter no longer trusted himself to accurately evaluate how strong his love and commitment rally was to Jesus (v. 15e).
I do not necessarily think Peter was expressing any less love for Jesus, but it does seem that he was questioning his commitment and ability to whole-heartedly follow Jesus.
No matter what Peter was thinking, Jesus responds by giving him a job—Feed my lambs (v. 15f). Jesus wants Peter to take care of those God the Father had entrusted to Jesus (cf. Lk. 22:31-32).
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
Jesus, repeats the question to Peter. “Simon son of John , do you love me?” Jesus uses the same Greek word for love that he used in verse 16.
Peter repeats his answer, using the same Greek word that he used, “Yes, Lord you know I love you.”
To this Jesus changes the command slightly. This time he tells Peter to feed his sheep instead of using the word for lambs.
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
For the third time, Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, but this time Jesus matches Peter’s Greek word.
Jesus has been asking, “Peter, do you love me unconditionally” and Peter has answered, “Yes Lord, you know I love you with a brother type love.”
Once again, Jesus tell Peter to feed his sheep.
John tells us that Peter was hurt, because Jesus asked him a third time if he loved Jesus.
The fact that on this third time, Jesus matched Peter’s word for love, I can’t help but think that this was part of the reason that Peter was hurt. Peter wanted more than anything to be able to get rid of the guilt he had for denying his Lord, but now that Jesus matched his wording, Peter may have caused Peter to deep the fear that he will never be good enough to serve Jesus.
Despite all of his fear, Jesus still gives Peter a job—feeding his sheep.
Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
Jesus goes on to tell Peter, that when he was young, he was able to dress himself (v. 18a).
He was able to go where ever he wanted to go (v. 18b).
But when Peter is old, he will have to stretch out his hand and others will dress him (v. 18c).
And someone else will lead him to places he doesn’t want to go (v. 18d).
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
John tells us that Jesus told Peter this to let him know what kind of death he would die (v. 19a).
That Peter would glorify God in his death (v. 19b).
Then Jesus told Peter to follow him (v. 19c).
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
Peter turned around and saw John (v. 20a).
To make sure we know who John was talking about (himself) he further explained that this was the one who leaned back on Jesus to ask who was going to betray Jesus (v. 20b).
When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Peter sees John, and asks Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” (v. 21).
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Jesus’ answer to Peter’s question was simple, “If I want John to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? (v. 22a).
Jesus has already given Peter his marching orders—he is to follow Jesus! (v. 22b).
LESSON: No matter what we see others doing (or not doing) our job is clear! We are to follow Jesus!
Like Peter, it is so easy for me to look around and see what others are doing, or to see how God is using those around us and say, What about them? And like Peter, Jesus says to us, do the job that we have been given!
Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
This led to the rumor that the disciples would remain alive until Jesus returns (v. 23a).
John’s Closing
John’s Closing
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.
John closes this by gospel by stating that this is actually an eyewitness account (v. 24a).
And because it’s an eyewitness account it is accurate and true (v. 24b).
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
John goes on to say, that this gospel does not include all the things that Jesus did (v. 25a).
In fact, John says that if everything Jesus did while he was here on this earth were to be written down, the world could not contain the books that would be written (v. 25b).
John recorded the events that would best prove that Jesus was indeed the Son of God! Like all four of the Gospels, John picked out the events that best communicated what he was trying to communicate about Jesus.
And this is a true account of some of the events that happened.
And John’s Gospel ends.
So What?
So What?
There are several “So What’s” today.
First, we have spent over a year of Sundays studying this beautiful book. A book who’s sole purpose is to show that Jesus is the Messiah—the promised one of God—and that He came to provide salvation to the world.
This amazing book tells the story of Jesus’ life, His death, His resurrection, and His life today!
Perhaps the biggest lesson that we learn is that God has a job for each of us, and that job for each of us.
This book teaches us so much about God and how God works. Today’s lesson teaches us a lot about how He works for us.
First, we’ve already said it—God has a job for you!
And God wants you to do the job He’s given you to the best of your ability. Now catch this, you don’t have to do your job to the best of my ability. Listen to me. When I get to heaven, I may have more stars in my crown than Billy Graham (now it’s NOT a competition!). You see the reason for this, is because I was not gifted the way Billy Graham was gifted. And I was not given the job of preaching to the masses. I was given the job of being serving right here! So you and I are rewarded by how we do the job that God has given to someone else, but by how well we do the job God has given us to do!
We learn that we need to STOP wanting to do everyone else’s job and do the job that God has given us to do! We, you and I, need to be thankful for how God wants to us—even if we don’t understand all about the job! Just do it to the best of your ability!
