Restoration

John 21:1-19

As we look at Christ’s seaside conversation with Peter, we see the perfect example of how we ought to deal with other: with patience, love, and longsuffering.

There is a story of a young mother who shared that her two year old daughter fell almost six feet off there deck to the grass below. After months and months of telling her, “no, you’ll fall” and physically removing her from the temptation to climb up. She sneaked passed mama and go the scare of her little two year old life. She was spared any injuries, just shaken up a bit. The young mama says, “I suppose it could’ve made me upset with her, but I wasn’t. I was sad for her and with her. I didn’t say ‘I told you so,’ I simply held her close, signed a thankful prayer of relief , dried her tears and reminded her of the importance of obeying what mama and daddy tell her. Think about it now, it’s a reminder of how God is with me when I disobey. I know exactly what my biggest temptations are, and yet I won’t stay away from them. I try to get closer without getting hurt. However, there are always consequences for disobedience. When I am battered and bruised and crying tears of pain and repentance over the mess I’ve made with my own hands, the Lord doesn’t leave me to cry alone. He picks me up, dusts me off, and reminds me gently that He loves me and that obedience to He Word keeps me safe.

Psalm 119:11 KJV 1900

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

In John 21, we see how Jesus restores Peter to a place of fellowship. Where there had once been doubt, would again be delight. Where there had once been failure, there would now be victory. This is what Christ wants to see in our lives.

Defeated V.1-8

In this passage the disciples were defeated, discouraged, and hungry. Their Master was gone. They had gone back to what they knew best - Fishing- but with their best efforts they came up empty.

Satan tires to tempt us to discouragement as well, especially during times of physical weakness. Remember that the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness after 40 days of fasting. believing that was the best time to find Him vulnerable. We need to be very careful when we are physically weary or ill or emotionally overwrought that we do not allow Satan to win a victory in our lives. It is when we are weak that we can be the strongest if we look to God as our source of strength.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The Disciple were Faithless V.14

Jesus had died, been buried, was risen, and had shown Himself to His disciples before we come to verse 14.

The disciples were following Christ, who had proven to be God and commissioned them to a great work- but sadly, we see the disciples still lacking faith.

Mark 10:28 KJV 1900

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

He was saying that they had surrendered all to follow Jesus. But now they are going fishing, instead of going forward in faith.

As Christians, we must realize that while it is easy to sing, “ I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back,” in reality it is very difficult to live. Satan is a master at getting people to look back at the “good old days.”

Numbers 11:5–6 KJV 1900

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

The Disciples were fruitless V.5

The disciples turned back to their old way of life. It was comfortable; they knew what to do, and how to do it. But they are worked hard and stayed out all night. The end result was that they caught no fish and had nothing to eat.

Satan tries to tell us that if we go back to what is comfortable and what we know, success and happiness await us there. He makes out comfort zone look attractive. Many Christians leave God’s will to look for an easier way, only to find at the end of the rainbow there is not pot of gold.

Psalm 16:11 KJV 1900

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The believer who is walking with Christ realizes that there is a peace and fulfillment that can never be achieved in the world.

Feasting V.6-8

In the midst of their futile activity, the stranger on the shore urged the men to “cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall fine.” what did the disciples have to lose? They gave it one more try, and almost instantly their net was full.

Something about this was familiar and seemed to have happened before. They then realized that this was no stranger; it was the Lord Himself.

The disciples had abandoned to follow, but the Saviour never abandoned them. Not only did Jesus seek them out when they where away from Him, but He also provided for them and took care of their physical needs. Can you imagine what it must have been like to hear the Master say, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught… Come and dine.” Jesus was inviting them back into His presence and His fellowship.

Notice that when Peter knew it was the Lord, he immediately wanted to get to the Saviour. The ship would ultimately get there, but Peter did not want to wait. He jumped out of the boat and swam to the Lord. We ought ask ourselves, “how badly do we want to see the Lord.” Peter was living the principle taught in James 4:8

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Forgiveness V.15-19

Now that the disciples had fed, Christ showed them that He had forgiven them. One of the greatest ways to show forgiveness to someone is to re-involve them in life and even ministry. Even though Peter had deserted his call and gone back to fishing, he is about to recommissioned.

Peter’s Confession

Lovest thou me more than these? was the Lord’s question, put directly to Peter.

I believe Jesus was asking Peter, “Do you love me more than these other disciples? Peter, out of all the men who followed me, including your own brother Andrew, including John, do you love me the most?

Jesus looking Peter right in the eye and asking the question, “Do you love me?” It’s a direct question; it’s a personal question; it’s a question we all need to take to heart. With all of the ways Jesus has demonstrated His love for us- it’s a fair question to ask. Do we love Him?

The Lord Jesus told His disciples,

John 13:34–35 KJV 1900

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The love to which these verses refer to is agapao love, a sacrificial love that always impacts the recipient. Christ teaches that this love is to be the hallmark of his disciples.

This is the same love used in

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:35 KJV 1900

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John 12:1 KJV 1900

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Ephesians 5:25 KJV 1900

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Christ’s Commission

As this time of teaching comes to a close in life of Peter, Christ issues two clear commands. The first is for Peter to feed Christ’s lambs and Christ’s sheep. This feeding could be described as teaching or discipleship.

In one sense of the word “lambs,” Jesus could have been talking about children.

Remember how precious children were to Jesus.

Matthew 19:13–14 KJV 1900

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

But the word “lambs” also refers to new believers or people young in the faith. Theses are people who need guidance and encouragement from those who have known the Lord for a while.

Secondly, Christ commands Peter once again to follow Him. This might have been a little bit heard for Peter to hear and accept, for he had been called to do, and he knew that however rough that road may turn out to be, it was the only way to go.

In the book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus would have this word for the church at Ephesus:

Revelation 2:4–5 KJV 1900

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Christ knew that if Peter would follow, and follow closely he would be far less distracted. These two commands- Feed my lambs, and follow me- are applicable to us today as they were to Peter almost 2,00 years ago.