Jesus, Peter, and fire

Being Reconciled with Christ

John 21:1–19 ESV

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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. 18 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.” 19 (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.”

History —> Background is always important, both in life and in the Bible. When need to understand what is at stake and what is on the table.

Peter the Apostle —>

—> The Calling of Peter

—> Career Highlights

—> The Table (pre-denial)

—> The Garden

—> The courtyard (denial of Christ)

Is Peter a relatable character or what?

—> Our text

John 21:2–3 ESV

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

—> Peter was not a good fisherman

—> Friends don’t let friends go alone

John 21:7 ESV

7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

John 21:

—> Crazy Peter

John 21:9 ESV

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.

John 21:

—> An-thra-kia

—> 2 times this is used in the NT

—> specific, purposeful, Jesus brought the charcoal,

—> wanted to take Peter back

—> where does Jesus take us back to , what memory does he bring up?

—> This brought Peter back to his lowest point

John 21:15–17 ESV

15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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.

John 21:

What is Jesus doing?

Why is Peter upset? its more than an annoyance

4 types of love in greek, in the NT

—> agape —> perfect Love

—> storga —> Parental/familial love

—> Eros —> sexual love/ passion

—> Phileo —> Common love, the love of a friend

—> Read through again using the correct words

—> Peter wasn’t upset because Jesus wasn’t listening. Peter became upset because Jesus had to lower himself to him.

—> We have these preconceived notions of who we have to be for God to love us, and quite simply they’re wrong.

—> Jesus meets us where we are, just like he met Peter. He wants so much more for us, but he is ok with what we can offer from our hearts right now.

—> In this moment, in this exchange Jesus frees Peter. He frees him from the shame of his doubt and denial. He frees him to get back to the work Jesus called him to do.

—> Jesus has freed you. He calls you to that fire to that conversation and he asks you, “do you love me?” That’s all he wants to know. “Do you love me?”

—> Will you tell him you love him tonight? Will you accept his invitation to leave the old you behind on that beach and to follow him in a new way.

—> This message is for everyone tonight. Those of us that have been in the church for decades and those of us that have just walked through the door tonight.

—> Jesus calls us all to that fire and asks us all “Do you love me?” How will you respond to his call tonight?