Sermon Cloud

November 16, 2008

John 21:1-19 “Peter’s Restoration”

1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

This is a lot like Luke 5:1-11 when Peter first met Jesus.  There are some differences, but it is pretty cool that Jesus’ last encounter with His guys looks a lot like how it all started.  They are fishing and not catching anything and Jesus gives some fishing advice and much like the first encounter, they catch a lot of fish.  John recognizes Jesus and Peter is so excited he jumps in and swims to see Jesus.  He has a hot meal waiting on them when they arrive by boat.  

I think it’s curious that its not just a fire, but a charcoal fire that they approach.  The last time we’ve seen a charcoal fire was when Jesus was about to be crucified and Peter was denying that he knew Jesus as he warmed himself next to it.  What must have been going through that mind when everyone was laughing and eating some Mahi Mahi (maybe not) as he glanced down at the flickering flame, the smoldering embers, and the smelled the good old campfire smell?  Regret?  Deep shame? Who knows, but I know how I feel when something reminds me of dark things in my soul when I’m yucking it up with some friends.  I am embarrassed and honestly want to keep it a secret.  Sometimes I think that people wouldn’t like me if they really knew what goes on.  Surely Peter is nervous as Jesus works his way to him and invites him on a walk. 

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

            I love this.  It gives strugglers like me some help.  People make a lot of the change in verbs in this passage.  Jesus asks Peter the first 2 times if he loves (agape) Him and Peter always responds that he loves (phileo) him.  The last time Jesus changes the verb (from agape to phileo) and that seems to take them to a new place.  I think way too much is made of this (entire sermons have been built).  John changes verbs and uses synonyms all of the time.  Phileo and agape are used interchangeably throughout the book and agape is used to describe a love for sin on one occasion!  The real issue is that Peter’s love for Jesus is being reaffirmed and Jesus’ acceptance of Him is given.  Not only that, Peter is commissioned with a mission task and the kind of death he would die is described.  Let’s be encouraged by a few things:

1.  Peter is restored.  This gives great hope to us!  Imagine what it would feel like to be Peter. He carries some shame and wonders if he is about to be demoted severely if not cut altogether.  But Jesus accepts him and his confession of love to Him.  With the smell of charcoal still in his nostrils, it had to be stunning to not only be accepted, but to be commissioned to care for Jesus’ people, the church. 

I’ve found this is one of the biggest barriers to us boldly loving one another.  Many among us feel like we’ve made too many mistakes, we’ve wasted too much time, we have too much of a past, we know too little of the Bible…or whatever.  We have a hard time receiving Jesus’ grace and an even harder time of feeling like we could be helpful to someone. 

2.  This exchange serves as a paradigm for care within the church.  Peter is given the missional task of caring for Jesus’ sheep.  This is instructive for us.  Peter is told to feed (twice) and tend/care (once) for Jesus’ flock.  This shepherding image is all over the Bible as God describes Himself as a shepherd of His people (Psalm 23) and Israel’s leaders were described as shepherds over Israel (1 Chronicles 11:2).  The Messiah would be a shepherd and Jesus has pulled from this sort of imagery in John (I am the Good Shepherd in chapter 10) to show His Messianic identity and care for His people.  Now the ministry of Jesus is given to Peter to continue Jesus’ flesh and blood care.  There are implications for us.

First, the word pastor is a shepherding word, and it tells me what I need to do and what kind of pastors you should expect to lead you.  The primary tasks are feeding and tending.  No one guy could do this (which is why its sort of a wreck to view Peter as the one guy that Jesus wanted to do this job for the entire church), but a good pastor will feed and tend Jesus’ church through other good leaders.  This is why it is very sad when congregations are given Doritos and corn nuts instead of vegetables, fruit, and a ribeye.  If I’m not that guy, fire me.  I pledge to take care to bring these kind of men to lead you. Pray that I don’t use this office as a means of self-advancement and fulfillment at your expense.  There is probably nothing that is more deadly to a church than a lead shepherd that uses his position to help himself, to get rich, or to scratch itching insecurities.  A while back, someone asked John Piper what was the biggest danger his congregation faced.  His answer?  Him.  I feel that.  Pray for me and other churches, too.

Second, this sort of care and feeding permeates an entire church.  We begin to carry each other burdens.  We celebrate each other’s successes and life markers.  We commit to feed each other portions of God’s Word in our smaller communities and in our friendships.  We apply it through our conversations.  We encourage each other through being consistent in worship and consistent in relationship with them.  Realistically, this is the thing we can do the best in our Redeemer groups.  We feed and tend.  Jesus’ charge to Peter shows us how important this is.  Our mission will eventually collapse on itself if there are not smaller communities of care.  How are you receiving this?  How are you giving it? 

3.  Suffering should be expected.  Jesus tells Peter that there will be a point when he will not have the freedom to grow old and finish his life how he sees fit.  In fact, he’ll be led by others to die the same sort of death that Jesus died.  In a way, this is very encouraging (trust me!).  Far from being written off for his past failures, Peter is counted worthy to suffer and would glorify God through his death (disciples see it this way in Acts 5:41).  All of the disciples except John would die similarly.  But what does this have to do with us?

            When you combine this text with others, you’ll see that suffering is something we should expect in this life.  An OT text that is quoted in the NT tells the story: “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” I’m not saying you’ll be killed for your faith.  The reality is that this is extremely unlikely.  But I’ll tell you what it does mean.  Jesus prepared Peter for suffering and God prepares you for it all over the place in the Bible.  It might include dying for your service to an unreached people.  But realistically, cancer and Alzheimer’s are waiting.  Broken relationships and achy joints, too.  The joys of different stages of life are offset with disappointment.  Life is really good, but lots of it is tough, too.  Ever talked to a parent of a kid that’s having a tough go at life as they emerge into adulthood?  Suffering comes in different forms and is right there with us even while we enjoy many things around us.  So what?  Well, I think it does make a difference to know this.  Instead of being mad and surprised when this happens, you’ll know we aren’t in heaven (no matter how much we try to make I heaven here).  Instead of being angry at God, you’ll remember He warned you and will give you what you need to make it through and every part of this broken world will be made right in the next one for Peter and for you.

            Be encouraged.  As much as you might be tempted to think that God is about to write you off, this is just not true if you are a follower of Jesus.  We receive His grace and care and He feeds us (likely through another Christian) and then we turn and care for others in His flock while we suffer together and celebrate together. Pledge in your heart while we sing now to receive grace for past sin, receive grace for giving grace to believers, and receive grace to face suffering.