From the Fire (The restoration of Peter)

0 Amens

Amen

INTRO – Two themes of John, (notice how easily these are connected to the concept of baptism) that Jesus came to establish a family = Believe Jesus is the SON OF GOD!  To become children who have the right to be called sons of God.  Receive Christ’s anointing in your own Christening (which is baptism, which is a physical demonstration of a spiritual reality!) and that those who come to worship God in Spirit and truth, will worship God as their father!
Family Oriented language  à AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, Jesus encounters the women who weep for him –  Jesus returns to Thomas, to ally his doubts. He appears to some disciples walking along a road to the town of Emmaus to teach them about how all the scriptures testify about him. There are 12 documented cases of post resurrection events in the NT.  And the gospel of John will conclude with one such episode. I’ve stated that John concludes his Gospel in a Garden; but before the sun can set on this idyllic place, a final meeting with the Savior must take place! Because there is someone who had become weak when he was placed under the fire – as a result, something must be resolved!  TRUE communion does not exist for the disciple who had been given the name to symbolize “unmoved faith” – a disciple who had been keen on following Jesus; but when it came time to profess, he denied that he even knew Jesus at all – with cursings! Peter was a denier who had yet to confront this with his Lord – I wonder if his friends even knew what had taken place in John 18 around a campfire… Jesus had already met with his disciples and  told them that, once filled with the holy spirit,  they would be able to forgive sins and set people free - - BUT Could Peter actually do this if he had no sense of it himself – of being forgiven, of being free… Jesus would have to bring the garden of reconciliation to him – to restore communion -- and this is how it happens… RevK version.., 21:1 After these things Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, but he revealed in this way21:2 being together Simon Peter, and Thomas (who is named Didymus), and Nathanael who is from Cana in Galilee, and those of Zebedee, and another two from the disciples.21:3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going back to fish." And they were saying to him, “And we will go with you.”  Going out and embarking in the boat and they in the night took hold of nothing.4. Now morning was taking place, Jesus stood on the shore, however the disciples did not know it was Jesus.5. Then Jesus said to them, “Boys, have you no fish?” Together they answered, “No.”6. Then he said to them, “Cast on the right side of the boat the fishing net and see what you find.”  Therefore they cast and they were no longer able to draw in with their strength the quantity of that fish.7. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “That is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped around his outer garment, for he was uncovered, and threw himself into the sea.8. But the other disciples came by boat, for they were not very far from the land, but about two hundred meters, dragging the fishing net of fish;9.  When they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire set there, and a fish laying on it, and a loaf of bread.10. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have now caught."11. Then Simon Peter went up and dragged the fishing net upon the land, full of the biggest fish, 153!  And so much was there but it did not tear the fishing net.12. Jesus said to them, "Come eat breakfast." But none of the disciples dared inquire of him, "Who are you?" Because they knew it was the Lord.13. And Jesus came, taking the bread, gave it to them, and the fish in the same manner.14. This was now the third appearance of Jesus to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.15. When they finished the meal, to Simon Peter, Jesus said, “"Simon, son of John, am I first in your affections, more than these?" He said, "Yes, Lord; you know that I have deep feelings for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."16. He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you have Me first in your affections?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I have deep feelings for You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep.17.  He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you have deep feelings for Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you have deep feelings for Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know absolutely everything; You know everything about me, that I have deep feelings for you." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.”18. Amen, Amen, I say to you, when you were young, you used to fasten your own belt and walk wherever you wanted, but when you become old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will fasten your belt and bring you where you do not wish."19. But this he said to indicate what kind of death would glorify God – and having said this he said to him, “Follow me.”20. Turning back, Peter saw the disciple that Jesus loved, following, (who also reclined in the supper on his chest, and said, 'Lord, who is he who is going to hand you over?')21. When this, he saw, Peter said to Jesus, “But what about him?”22. Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You MUST follow me!"23. Therefore, this word got about among the brothers that this disciple would not face death, but this was not what Jesus intended, because he didn’t say he wouldn’t face death, but, “what if  it is my will that he remain when I return, what is that to you?”24. This is the disciple who bore witness of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that true, is his witness.25. And there are so many other things about which to celebrate Jesus, if someone were to write it all, I suppose that the whole world could not contain the written scroll. 1.  Lake Galilee = Sea of Tiberias In the Bible, Tiberius is mentioned by name only once, in Luke 3:1, stating that John the Baptist entered on his public ministry in the fifteenth year of his reign. Many references to Caesar (or the emperor in some other translations), without further specification, actually refer to Tiberius.http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Tiberias.html As early as Roman times, this thriving recreation spa, built around 17 natural mineral hot springs more than 600 feet below sea level, welcomed visitors from every part of the ancient world. Built by Herod Antipas (one of Herod the Great's three sons who divided up Palestine after their father's death), the city was named Tiberias in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. 2.  “I am going back to fish”21.3 = while Peter is waiting for Jesus, he’s gonna fish!  Sad thing is that he is going to return to a life that really didn’t satisfy him.  Peter wanted revolution, Peter wanted change the world, Peter wanted to help lead a movement for a new kingdom – and so with a hallow sound of “I’m just a fisherman, not a world changer…” He will take his hand at it again – but he will soon find that his life was created for something so much more than this – his night’s work will produce nothing, his nets will be empty, and his life’s direction will be adrift – But who is he that he should expect more than this? 3.  The night yields nothing 4.  Now the morning21.4 = early in the morning religion (bummer) JC teaching, resurrection, etc.  But after darkness – light! 5.  Peter in & out of the boatà The nature of fishing à Peter does not say, “Hide Me!!” 6.  The fire ( avnqrakia.n ) [Jn. 18:18] 7.  A meal was set = Jesus is setting a table to impress and to teachTable for fellowshipà When two parties come together on an agreement, a banquet is hostedà Lord’s Supper is a table of peace and agreementà Resurrected Jesus eats (Luke 24:41)Table for feeding à It was at another meal that Jesus washed some feet = John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.“took, (blessed & broke), gave”21.13 = some elements of the words of institution – mostly that Jesus is serving again!  We must remember this when we come to the Table.  A minister is serving as a representative of the servant King, Jesus.  And what does he serve, abundance again!  More fish than they could haul on to a boat – and Jesus is responsible for this abundance, we find it in believing in his words, obeying, and fellowshipping with him!  See why we observe the table so frequently?? 8.  153 is the number for... blackholes- the known number of fish species at the time- the number of people in all four gospels that Jesus helped- some multiple of 17 or 9 and 3 which when configured mathematically creates the perfect triangle, which was probably the weave pattern of the fishnet! j/k- 153 is one less than 154, which according to Daniel is the number of the anti-fish!- I suspect that the original audience found it significant; and perhaps one day, we will too 9.  Talking about “love” [fire, feeding, the abundance of fish at a prior meeting… Jesus says, we’ve been together 3 years, I just got 3 questions…]avgapa/|j = first in affections filw/ = deep feelings 10.  Feed & Shepherd MY Lambs & Sheep- The variety of sheep and the duties speaks very candidly about the task of a church leader!  There is no cookie cutter approach, with some, they must be treated as tender lambs, with others mature sheep.  Some must be fed and led and defended.  Others must be shepherded – and those shepherds came complete with a stick!  A vital part of my own testimony was being in a severe car accident, having my leg broken, being laid out on my back in a hospital for 2 months, and hearing perhaps a legend of the pasture – that if a lamb continued to wander from the flock, a loving shepherd would break a leg so that lamb would become completely dependent upon the shepherd.  True or not, I needed that type of shepherding at that time – others don’t!  So with wisdom, let’s tend and care for God’s flock with compassion and tenderness! 11. “...turning back” ???-- After Peter receives a reconciling endorsement from Jesus he wants to look back?  He wants to look at someone else?? Didn’t we just do enough recalling of personal past failings – let’s move forward Peter!  Especially now, time is short!  One day you will not have enough strength to take matters into your own hands.  You focus on your task, and let the other servants stand before their master!à FOLLOW ME = 21.19 = PETER Said he left everything to follow Jesus, Peter followed Jesus up the mount of transfiguration, followed in the garden of Gethsemane, followed during Jesus’ trials, John 13:36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward." 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.":38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.àLuke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,:32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." 12. EpilogueWhat about Peter? Jesus’ love reinstates him – Jesus still sees a rock in him!What about John? The gospel addresses the fact that he outlives everyoneWhat about you? We read this gospel and know that there is SO MUCH MORE to say about Jesus – what are you doing about it?

Theme of John, Structure of John, Peter, Do you love me?, Feed my sheep, from the fire, RevK, Communion Presbyterian Church, ARP, Irvine, Meeting the Savior

Read More