Follow Jesus

Introduce Topic (What does it mean to follow Jesus?)

Pray

Read Luke 5:1-11

Jesus is teaching people on the sea of Galilee and goes out into the water on a boat so that the people could hear Him better. He goes out into the sea in Simon Peter’s boat and taught the people. After he finished He told Simon to cast his nets out into the water. Simon reluctantly obeys, casts out his net, and proceeds to catch one of the largest catches of his life. John and James help Peter bring his catch to shore. Peter then turns to Jesus and says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”. Jesus in response simply says, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”. In other Gospels, Jesus says, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

Too often we get caught up in the spectacularness of Jesus’ miracles that we lose sight of the true intent of the passage. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He was sure to point out the true characteristics of being a follower of Jesus, that is pursuing a relationship with Christ and making disciples of all nations (i.e. fishing).

The Disciples’ understanding of following Jesus (Before Resurrection)

Excited for new social status (belonging to a mentor)

Popularity

Money, Power, Respect, Safety, and Comfort in a kingdom that they thought would overthrow Rome and be established under the kingship of Christ.

All of these things served as a fragile and unstable understanding of what it meant to follow Jesus. The disciples built their hopes and futures on earthly expectations. This is why everything seemingly fell apart for them at Jesus’ crucifixion.

When Our weak foundation cracks

Peter’s Denial (story)

Peter was the most zealous and outspoken member of the 12. He was also part of Jesus’ inner circle.

Peter made one of the greatest statements of faith about who Jesus is, one that Jesus Himself said He would build His church on.

Peter made many good decisions as well as many not so good.

Peter along with the other disciples spent a lot of their time putting their foot in their mouths and making promises they couldn’t keep. From arguing over who would be the greatest in heaven to Peter pledging to go to war with Jesus and even die for Him.

The sum of Peter’s promises was found lacking when he denied Jesus in the early morning hours that Friday morning of Jesus’ death.

It was that morning that Peter found his foundation to be built on something finite. It rocked him to his core and caused him to put away this business of fishing for people. He walks away from his ultimate purpose because of his guilt and his shame.

Read John 21:1-19

Jesus appears on the shore of Galilee once again and sees His disciples fishing. Jesus at this point has already been raised from the dead and has appeared to the disciples two times. He appears again this time for the sake of restoring Peter who was still feeling the guilt of denying Jesus. This time Jesus does a miracle that was very familiar to His inner circle. They had seen him do it three years earlier. Jesus sees them out on the water and tells them to cast their nets out for a catch. They then catch so many fish that their nets began to rip. John, realizing it’s Jesus, tells Peter who jumps out of the boat and swims to the shore to meet Jesus.

Interesting things we see in this passage

John keeps count of how many fish there were further proving his testimony as an eyewitness.

Jesus continues to serve (v.13). He is the ultimate example of how we should live our lives which is why we follow Him.

Jesus doesn’t refer to Peter by his nickname (Cephas) but rather by his real name (Simon son of John).

“Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” this could be a reference to fishing, the quantity in which the other disciples loved Jesus, or does Peter love Jesus more than he loves his friends. One addresses how he would spend his time, one addresses his level of passion towards Jesus, and the other addresses his willingness to leave what was comfortable, his friends, for Jesus. Ultimately, we will never know the intent of Jesus’ question, but Peter did, and when Jesus challenges our affection we too will know the things we are loving more than Jesus whether it is sin, comfort, pride, or money.

Jesus questions Peter three times, mirroring the number of times Peter denied Him.

Jesus calls Peter to love Him with sacrificial Agape love, but Peter responds with a Phileo kind of love. He responds merely as an attendee of a wedding when Jesus is calling him to respond as the bride. Jesus calls us just the same.

Peter likely responded this way because he was afraid to commit to Jesus out of a fear of failing Him. Jesus already knew Peter would fail Him and sin against Him yet Jesus continues to call Peter to love sacrificially.

Jesus changes the word for love to Phileo to match Peter’s responses causing Peter to break down.

Each question and response Jesus presents to Peter demonstrates the model for following Jesus. That is, love Jesus sacrificially and passionately, and serve others the way Jesus served them.

Jesus then tells Peter the fate he would die for following Jesus. It is a warning to all who follow Him. This world hates followers of Jesus and safety is never promised. Even though only some will use their cross Jesus calls us to pick it up daily just the same. We as followers of Christ are willing to die for the Gospel of Jesus and for others.

Jesus ends His encounter with the two words that began their relationship three years earlier. “Follow Me.” At the time this was written Peter had learned the true intent of what it meant to follow Jesus. He carried on Jesus’ ministry as a leader in the early church and would be crucified decades before John had a chance to write his Gospel.

Application

Things we see about following Jesus

If we solely hone in on Jesus’ miracles we miss the larger picture of what it means to follow Jesus. When we focus on miracles we are trying to create heaven on earth. Focusing on Jesus’ death and resurrection allows the earth to get to heaven. One is a temporary solution to a physical problem. The other is an eternal solution to a spiritual problem.

When we look for financial gain or safety and comfort in our walk with Christ we will be met with a Savior calling us to give generously and risk everything for the sake of the Gospel.

The ultimate goal of following Jesus is to have a relationship with Him. He is the author and sustainer of life. He died on the cross to show us how much He loves us. We pursue Christ in such a way that we throw aside all distractions and run the race as one who is trying to win the prize.

Out of our relationship with Christ, we seek to make disciples of all nations, as we are going, as we are baptizing, and as we are teaching the Scripture to them.

Response

Have you put your faith in Jesus? Have you surrendered your future and your eternity to Him? He knows what is best for your life and although it is at times difficult we have hope in eternity as well as strength for today in Jesus our firm foundation.

If you have already put your faith in Jesus consider the things keeping you from following Him more completely. Are their relationships keeping you from Him? Is it money? Comfort? Your time? What can you surrender to Jesus so that you can follow Him and fish for people?

As we close consider the calling Jesus has placed on your life to follow Him and fish for people. Will you be obedient? Will you follow Jesus?

Pray