John 21: Jesus is Alive!
It almost seems as if John originally meant to end the book of John at chapter 20. What could be a better conclusion than verses 29-31? In these few words John sums up the entire good news gospel. I wonder if John pondered his writing for a while and then was lead (by the Spirit) to add the last chapter to testify as to the many people who saw and interacted with Jesus after the resurrection. Would it be interesting to understand how (or by what mode) the Spirit inspired the gospel writers?
When I was growing up my parents owed a cabin on leech lake. On a few occasions I had the opportunity to bring a few of my friends up there - just us guys. We had many memorable times and it didn't seem to take much to get the entire group doing some activity, be it swimming, fishing, hiking, or whatever. One guy would just have to say, 'lets go fishing', and the whole group would head for the boats. In the final chapter of this gospel, John mentions a similar 'guys' fishing trip - but with an interesting twist....
Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, John, Andrew, and at least two other disciples were standing near the shore of the sea of Galilee. Peter indicates that he'd enjoy some fishing, and the rest of the seven guys chimed in, "Yeah, lets go." So they went out fishing, ended up fishing all night, but caught nothing. Early that morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the seven guys didn't realize it was Jesus at first.
Jesus called out to the seven, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" They replied, "No".
Jesus said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." I wonder if the men thought to themselves, what does this guy know. We have been fishing all night. Besides, we are professional fisherman. Seems to me that most men would have ignored the comment, or yelled back something inappropriate.
But the guys followed Jesus' suggestion and caught so many fish (actually 153) that they couldn't pull the net into the boat. The narrative indicates that they needed to tow the net to shore. As they were working the net, John looks at Peter and says, 'Hey Pete, isn't that the Lord?' At once Peter recognizes Jesus and jumps right out the boat and into the water - they were yet a 100 yards from shore. Must have been a hoot to watch Peter swimming to Jesus followed by the six guys in the boat paddling and dragging the 153 fish to shore!
Dragging 153 fish to shore!
Back on dry land, Jesus asks the guys to bring some of the fish for breakfast. Apparently, Jesus cooks up the fish for breakfast and then tells the others, "Come and have breakfast." The guys were kind of wondering what was going on as Jesus, broke bread, cooked breakfast, and now was serving the disciples. The narrative indicates that this was the third time Jesus appeared since the resurrection.
After eating, Jesus looks at Peter and asks, "Peter, do you truly love me more than these?" Peter responds, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
A second time, Jesus asks Peter the same question, "Peter do you truly love me?" Again Peter responds, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." This time Jesus says, "Take care of my sheep."
A third time, Jesus questions Peter, "Simon Peter, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him this the third time, but he responds, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." This time Jesus continues, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch our 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 Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me!"
Seems that Jesus specifically did this to Peter to reinstate him as a leader. Jesus asked him three times as remembrance of the three times that Peter denied Jesus. The narrative doesn't indicate what Jesus and Peter discussed as they walked away from the group - the only words recorded were, "you must follow me." We do know that Peter was considered a leader among the Twelve, and that he was eventually martyred (actually crucified upside down) after doing his part in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.
John ends the book with the following statement, "Jesus did many other things as well. If everyone of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." Amen!
Discussion questions: The triune God determined that the Holy Spirit would inspire multiple writers to record the good news in the Gospels of the new testament. Why do you think this was done? How would you compare the 'style' of John to the records of Matthew, Mark, and Luke? What does John indicate was Jesus intent when he gave the personal message to Peter?
kNOw, DO, and BE:
1) Be a follower of Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (another three!)
2) Do develop the habit of daily prayer(s), daily reading of the word, and live by Jesus command to Love the Lord your God - as well as your neighbor.
3) Be prepared to serve; Be a fisher of men; Be a sower of seeds.
Beginning in September we will begin the book of Romans, written by Paul.
