Restored and Repurposed

Today we are in John 21. I hope you will open your bibles and study along with me today. If you are using the Logos Bible app, you can tap the passage links at the bottom of the screen to quickly navigate to the passages as we move from passage to passage.

John 20 is really the climax of the book, with Jesus’ resurrection and appearance to Mary and the disciples. John 21 is the denouement, where final issues are resolved.

There are a few things we need to keep in mind as we enter into this passage.

Background

First, an important part of John 21 is the resolving of Peter’s relationship with Christ after his denying him. Yes, Peter did hear Christ say, “Peace be with you” when Christ appeared to the disciples, and according to Luke and Paul, he had seen Christ at some point before the other disciples.

Luke 24:24 NIV

Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 15:5 NIV

and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.

Background

We do not know what Christ’s appearance to Peter entailed, as Peter apparently did not share all of those details in Mark, with whom he most likely worked as Mark wrote his gospel account. This could be a sign of Peter’s new humility. However, the point is that Peter saw Christ before this occurrence in John 21.

Secondly, we want to keep in mind exactly what happened with the denials to help us better interpret John 21.

Before Peter denied Christ, he had claimed to be more loyal to Jesus than all of the other disciples. Let’s look at that together in Mark 14.

Mark 14:27–31 NIV

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Background

Peter claimed to love Jesus more, and that even if all of the others fell away, he would not. When Jesus told him what would happen, that is his denying Christ 3 times, Peter argued with Jesus. Peter’s pride is significant.

Lastly, here we also see the promise of Jesus to meet his disciples in Galilee, which is also confirmed in what the angels told the women to pass along to the disciples.

Mark 16:7 NIV

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

Background

And that is the setting for John 21, which we are studying today. Please turn with me to John 21.

So, what we need to keep in mind is that this chapter brings resolution to the rift in Peter’s relationship with the Lord. It resolves some of Peter’s boastful comments, followed by his denial of the Lord.

And, the setting is in Galilee, which is a fulfillment of what Jesus had foretold before his death.

So, with that in mind, let’s jump into John 21.

John 21:1–3 NIV

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. 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. “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.

After Jesus appeared to the disciples that first day, on the Festival of First Fruits, the disciples had stayed in Jerusalem for the week of the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

Friday - Passover

Saturday - Festival of Unleavened Bread

Sunday - Offering of First Fruits

Jesus died and was buried at the beginning of Passover. Jesus Rose again on Sunday, the First Fruits from the dead.

Jesus appeared to Mary and the disciples, except for Thomas on that day.

Jesus appeared a second time to all of the disciples, including Thomas on the following Sunday after the Festival of Unleavened Bread was finished.

Then, the disciples headed off to Galilee, where many of them were originally from.

As they were there, waiting for Jesus, Peter decided to go back and do some fishing. It was what he knew. It was his comfortable place.

Others went with him.

John 21:4–14 NIV

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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. 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. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 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. 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 came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus appears

Jesus appeared, not directly with them, but set the stage for what he was planning to do. He appeared to them as he had on the occasion of calling Peter to be his disciple.

Look at that with me in Luke 5.

Luke 5:4–11 NIV

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Jesus appears

I love the way Jesus appeared to them.

It had to be reminiscent to Peter how this was so similar.

But notice the difference in Peter’s reaction this time.

Before, Peter asked the Lord to leave him, he was a sinful man.

Now, Peter is anxious to be with Jesus, and jumps in the water to swim to the shore to be with Jesus.

What is the difference? Peter had learned of Jesus’ great grace and mercy. He knew and loved Jesus. Jesus had appeared to him, and gave him peace.

And, Jesus was about to do even more.

John 21:15–19 NIV

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.” 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.” 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. 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 said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Jesus Restores Peter

I love this portion. Peter knew that Jesus accepted him after his denial, because Jesus appeared to him, and to him with the other disciples. He had seen Jesus 3 times now; this the fourth.

However, have you ever had that uncomfortableness around someone. There was something that happened, between you, and though you are together and things are okay, it has never been truly addressed? You wonder if things could be exactly the same?

Have you ever felt that way with the Lord? You know he is love. You know God forgives. But, you still know what you did, and it nags at you. You wonder. You feel distant even when you are spending time with him in reading his word, in prayer, in the fellowship of the saints, both coming and worshiping together and even serving the Lord together?

I wonder if Peter felt that? I think he did. I think he felt that and the weight of what other thought of him. They were all there when he boasted that he would never fall away, even if they did! He made himself out to be better than them. What did they think? Especially John, who had gone in to the high priest’s home to see the trial, and who had gone to the cross to be with Jesus as he died. Peter didn’t go to the cross. And John knew what he had done at high priest’s home. What did they think of him? Could he ever be fully accepted and trusted?

Jesus dealt with that. He restored Peter in the eyes of them all there on the beach.

The setting was so important. Just as Peter denied himself around the fire, so too, Peter was restored around the fire.

Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved him. And three times, Peter said, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Now, I heard long ago that there are two words for love in the Greek passage, and that Jesus used one word the first two times, and Peter another. Then the third time, Jesus used the one Peter used.

Some say that Jesus used the word for God’s great love, and Peter used the word for man’s brotherly love.

Other commentators say that Jesus used a word for love that is love, but is factual and cold. Peter used a word that is warm and close.

Still others say this likely took place in Aramaic, where they both would have used the same word. And, John, as he does throughout his gospel, uses different words stylistically.

The main point, no matter how you look at it, is that just as Peter denied Christ three times publically, so now, three times Jesus has him declare his love for him three times, and also commissions him three times.

To do something like this three times in front of witnesses was a solemn act to make sure that all knew that this person was being accepted and given responsibility. Jesus wanted Peter, and all of the other disciples to know he was accepted and a full apostle. There was nothing between Peter and his Lord. And there was to be nothing between Peter and the other apostles.

In that same way, the Lord wants us to know that when he forgives our failings, he restores fully! When you confess you sins, there is nothing between you and your Lord. There is nothing another believer can hold over your head, thinking of you as a lesser person. You are a follower of Christ. We are all forgiven sinners!

You are restored into fellowship!

I also love that Jesus Repurposed Peter.

Jesus Repurposes Peter

Jesus started by asking Peter if he loved him more than these. Look at that again.

John 21:15 NIV

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.”

What did Jesus mean when he said, “more than these?”

Some take it to be more than the other disciples. Considering Peter’s answer, “Yes, Lord,” I do not think that is what Jesus was asking. Remember, it was Peter’s pride and arrogance that I love Jesus more that came before his downfall. I do not believe that after that recent incident, Peter would be going back to saying he loved Jesus more than the others.

Rather, I believe Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him more than his old life, his fishing days there on the Sea of Galilee. To which, Peter emphatically answers, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!”

Jesus’ follow up further shows this is the line of questioning by repurposing Peter, just as he had so long ago.

As we saw, earlier, when Jesus had first called Peter was a similar situation. Jesus told Peter that from now on he would be a fisher of men. Jesus was going to send him out to bring men to the Lord.

Now, Jesus is once again commissioning Peter to the Lord’s work. However, he shows that the task is not just bringing men to Christ. The work is to feed and care for those who come.

Again, just as John creatively phrases the questions about love, he also creatively phrases the commission in multiple ways: feed my lambs, take care of (shepherd) my sheep, and feed my sheep.

I do not believe Jesus was giving him three different commissions, but one. He was saying it three times in front of witnesses to make it clear that Peter had the same mission as they all did. Jesus commissioned all of the disciples to be going and making disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and then teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.

He gives this same commission to Peter, three times, so that everyone would know that Peter’s failure did not exclude him in any way from this mission.

And, he also uses this occasion to let Peter know that this was not going to be an easy task.

John 21:20–25 NIV

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?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 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 is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 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.

Jesus Restores and Repurposes

What about you and me?

Do you know that Jesus restores you?

Do you know that Jesus has repurposed you?

An important note:

The basis for the mission

The love of God

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 NIV

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Hudson Taylor: Someone once introduced Hudson Taylor as a great missionary who had given his life to the Orient because he loved the Chinese. Taylor slowly shook his head and answered thoughtfully, “No, not because I loved the Chinese, but because I loved God.”

The power for the mission

They could not do it without Jesus.

John 15:5 NIV

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.