April 27th, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Restoration of Peter
John 21:15-22
Peter’s Restoration (v. 15-17)
•
After
their meal together on the shore, Jesus turns His attention to Peter
–
The
conversation takes place in front of the other 6 disciples
–
This
is meant to be a public display
•
Jesus asks Peter whether
his love for Him is greater than those gathered
•
Jesus repeats His
question 3 times
– Once for each time Peter denied Jesus (see 18:18; 21:9)
– Each with slightly different wording
•
“Love”
•
“Take care of His flock”
– Watch after the other disciples
– This is similar language that is used by Peter and others elsewhere to
describe the role of pastors and elders (see Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.
4:1–4)
Peter & John (v. 18-22)
•
Jesus then tells Peter
cryptically of his fate
– He will die for Jesus by crucifixion, just like Jesus
– And his death will bring glory to God, just like Jesus
•
Peter, and the other
disciples, are thus shown to be carrying on Jesus’ ministry
•
Jesus then gets up and
leaves the larger group
– And commands Peter to follow Him
•
Living in obedience
to Jesus
•
When Peter sees the
beloved disciple (John) tagging along
– He asks Him what John’s fate will be
– Jesus response is: “YOU focus on following ME!”
•
“Don’t worry about what
will happen to him.”
So What?
•
Jesus
is in the business of restoration
–
Putting
people back on their feet
•
He
did it for Peter
–
He
wants to do it for us
•
Have
you experienced the restoration that Jesus offers?
•
Are
you following Him in obedience?
Meditation
Verse: Ps. 51:12
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April 18th, 2016
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April 11th, 2016
The Gospel of John: Shore Lunch
John 21:1-14
The Fourth Appearance (v. 1-8)
•
After
the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples have returned to Galilee
–
Perhaps
because of Jesus’ command (see Mark 14:28; 16:7)
•
Jesus
then reveals Himself to them again
–
The
emphasis is not just on His appearing
• But on His self-revelation
•
7
of the disciples are fishing
–
Peter,
Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and 2 others
–
This
was probably not a return per se to their former lives
• But rather an activity meant to
provide food and pass time until Jesus met up with them
–
They
have been fishing throughout the night to no avail
•
As
they approach shore in the morning, Jesus is waiting for them
–
Though
they don’t realize it is Him at first
•
He
instructs them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat
–
Which
rewards them with a net-full of fish
•
At
this John realizes that it is Jesus
–
Which
sends Peter, half-naked, into the lake
•
Swimming
100 yards to shore to meet Him
•
Leaving
the less experienced disciples to handle the boat
Shore Lunch (v. 9-14)
•
When
the rest of the disciples get to shore, they find:
–
A
charcoal fire burning
•
Like
the one in the courtyard where Peter denied Jesus
–
Fish already
cooking
•
To
which Jesus instructs them to add more
•
Some
see this as an allusion to the building of the Church
–
Jesus
begins the work, and we add to it
•
Though
even the other fish come through obedience to Jesus
•
When
the fish are counted the total 153
–
A
huge quantity, but the nets remain unbroken
•
Possibly
an allusion that the Gospel will not fail
•
Jesus
invites them to eat with Him
–
Yet
they are somewhat frightened
So What?
•
Jesus
continued to meet the needs of the disciples
–
And
still does so for us today
•
He
calls us to join Him in His work of being fishers of men
–
Not
in our own strength, but through His power
•
Are
we fishing with Jesus?!
Meditation
Verse: Mark 1:17
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April 4th, 2016
The Gospel of John: Thomas' Doubt
John 20:19-29
The Second Appearance (v. 19-23)
•
The
disciples are gathered behind locked doors
–
Probably
10 of the inner circle
•
The
12 – Judas Iscariot & Thomas
–
Because
of their fear of the Jewish authorities
•
Who
may have sought them ought as Jesus’ followers
•
Like
the threats to Lazarus (see 12:10)
•
Jesus
appears in their midst
–
Either
passing through the door or wall
–
Or
simply materializing
•
He
greets them with a standard greeting, “Peace be with you”
–
Which
has taken on new meaning (see 14:27)
•
Thus
the repetition in v. 19, 21, & 26
•
Jesus
proves his identity by showing them His wounds
–
Hands,
feet, & side* (see Luke 24:39)
–
At
which the disciples rejoice because they know that it is really their risen Lord
•
He
then commissions them
–
Giving
them the power of the Spirit
–
And
the authority to forgive as His ambassadors
Thomas’ Doubt (v. 24-29)
•
Since
Thomas was absent at Jesus first encounter with the disciples
–
He
refuses to believe that Jesus is alive
•
Stating
that physical proof is necessary for his belief
•
The
following Sunday* the disciples gather again
–
Again
behind locked doors
–
This
time with Thomas
•
Jesus
appears again
–
And
offers Thomas the proof he requested
–
The
same proof that He has offered the others (v. 20)
•
Thomas’
response shows his faith
–
Jesus
is Lord and God*
•
Jesus
does not condemn Thomas for a lack of initial faith
–
But
calls those blessed who believe without having to see
•
Blessed:
Accepted by God
So What?
•
Have
we had an experience with the Risen Jesus?
–
Through
faith, not based on sight but rather on trust
Meditation
Verse: John 20:29
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