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John 21 1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. 6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 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 out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
from the "sermonblog" page, 2007:
After conquering death Jesus reminds his disciples of his power over nature by repeating the miraculous catch of fish. When it happened the first time Jesus commissioned the disciples, including Peter, to follow him. Jesus reminds the disciples of his commission to become "fishers of men" through the miraculous catch. He also recommissions Peter. He forgives Peter's three fold denial by asking if Peter loves him three times and, when Peter says he does, commissioning him to feed his sheep i.e. believers. Stripped of the self-confidence that preceded Jesus' prediction of his denial ( John 13:37 ) Peter has to rely on Jesus' knowledge of him.
Jesus knows each one of us intimately. We all fail Him and he offers us forgiveness, not so we can do what we like, but so we may love and serve Him.
Samuel Colgate, the founder of the Colgate business empire, was a devout Christian, and he told of an incident that took place in the church he attended. During an evangelistic service, an invitation was given at the close of the sermon for all those who wished to turn their lives over to Christ and be forgiven. One of the first persons to walk down the aisle and kneel at the altar was a well-known prostitute. She knelt in very real repentance, she wept, she asked God to forgive her, and meanwhile the rest of the congregation looked on approvingly at what she was doing. Then she stood and testified that she believed God had forgiven her for her past life, and she now wanted to become a member of the church. For a few moments, the silence was deafening. Finally, Samuel Colgate arose and said, "I guess we blundered when we prayed that the Lord would save sinners. We forgot to specify what kind of sinners. We'd better ask him to forgive us for this oversight. The Holy Spirit has touched this woman and made her truly repentant, but the Lord apparently doesn't understand that she's not the type we want him to rescue. We'd better spell it out for him just which sinners we had in mind." Immediately, a motion was made and unanimously approved that the woman be accepted into membership in the congregation.
John 21:1-19 Year C : The Third Sunday of Easter
Sometimes things happen that are beyond belief.
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian painter, architect, engineer and scientist who lived from 1452 - 1519. He drew plans for the most incredible machines so people thought that he was crazy. These plans included drawings of a helicopter, a parachute, and a submarine. People said that these were impossible. But they have happened.
Christopher Columbus came from Genoa and sailed for the Spanish King and Queen starting in 1492. At this time people said that the world was flat, and that if you went too far you would fall over the edge ! Columbus went West and discovered America. Well actually he discovered the Island of San Salvador in the Bahamas on 12th Oct. 1492. He proved people wrong.
Wilbur and Orville Wright invented the first powered aeroplane which flew on Dec. 17th 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. People had thought they were mad. They said if humans were meant to fly they would have wings. They said that something that was so heavy would never get off the ground. But they were proved wrong.
If you had said twenty years ago that by using a hairspray you would be destroying part of the world's atmosphere, you would have been called mad. But we now know that CFC's harm the ozone layer, and use ozone friendly aerosols.
In each case people didn't understand fully, and didn't think that something was true. So the most unexpected things can be true.
When Jesus claimed that he would die and rise again the gospels make it clear his disciples didn't understand him. In today's reading John, 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' ( verse 7 ), needed to tell Simon Peter, 'It is the Lord !'. Verse 12 suggests the disciples were still uncertain and/or uneasy in the presence of Jesus. They could have been still coming to terms with the new powers that the risen Jesus had, or grappling with the concept of a Messiah who had died and risen again. It is clear that the disciples didn't fully understand the reality and significance of Jesus' resurrection, even though this was the third time he had appeared to them, and the seventh time he had appeared to anyone.
Peter and the disciples had gone back home to Galilee from Jerusalem where Jesus had appeared to them twice. Whilst this was the third occasion Jesus appeared to his disciples, John has not recorded any conversation between Peter and Jesus during the first two meetings. So Peter's threefold denial of Christ before his crucifixion would be there. Hanging over Peter like a black, threatening rain cloud. A potential source of embarrassment, guilt, a spoiling of the relationship.
Peter and some of the disciples had gone fishing. Reverting to their former way of life. Perhaps seeking security in something that was familiar after all the turmoil of the crucifixion, Passover, and two resurrection appearances.
After a night's fishing they had caught nothing. Jesus tells them from the shore to throw out their nets again. It was the early morning, which wasn't the best time to fish ! But they catch loads of fish !
They hadn't recognised Jesus from a distance when he was on the shore. They were not certain that it was him until they had the fish breakfast. Then they knew it was him because he was serving them. He had prepared the breakfast, verse 12. Perhaps this reminded them of the time he had served them by washing their feet that first Maundy Thursday. Or, when he gave them bread in verse 13, they may have remembered the last supper. Or, when he gave them bread and fish, they might have thought of the feeding of the five thousand.
The miraculous catch of fish shows the powerlessness of human effort, and the power of God in Jesus. A power that had just raised Jesus from the dead was now exercised over the created order.
Have you ever had the 'deja vue' feeling that you've been somewhere before, or met someone before, but you can't place it or explain it?
This miraculous catch would be familiar to Peter. Where else in the gospels do we read of this happening ? The calling of Peter in Luke 5. It is the same thing happening again. Jesus told Peter after the first miraculous catch that he would become a fisher of men. This second catch, and what follows, reaffirms that ministry that Jesus first told Peter he would be given.
Two years ago in September the Parochial Church Council had a Saturday morning together preceded by a large, cooked breakfast. After such a start we felt more relaxed and happy as we talked.
After the excitement of the enormous catch, and meeting Jesus came the eating of the food. Things would be a bit more relaxed after the food and Jesus has a conversation with Peter, perhaps as they walked together, because verse 20 refers to them being followed by John.
In the conversation between Jesus and Peter, two Greek words are used that can be translated 'love'. 'Agape' which refers to a pure, self-giving love that cares more about the one being loved than the one who is giving the love. An unconditional love and trust. It is used to describe the love that God has for us. The NIV translates this 'truly love'. So the first two times Jesus asks Peter 'Do you agape me ?'
The other Greek word is 'philos'. This refers to a brotherly love, a friendship, a fondness for someone. The NIV translates this 'love'. Peter always uses this word to say that he loves Jesus. So, the conversation, recorded in verses 15-17, went :
Jesus : Simon son of John do you agape me more than the other disciples agape me?
Simon : Yes Lord, you know that I philos you.
Jesus: Simon son of John do you agape me ?
Simon : Yes Lord you know that I philos you.
Jesus : Simon son of John do you philos me ?
Simon: "Lord you know all things, you know that I philos you."
It was as if Jesus was coming down to meet Peter at Peter's level of commitment. Perhaps Simon's wariness in using agape was because of his realisation of his own inadequacy after his threefold denial of Christ.
On the third occasion when Jesus says ' Do you 'philos' me ? ' verse 17 tells us that Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him this. Perhaps he was hurt when he realised that his own love was not as strong as the love of Jesus.
In asking this question three times, and commissioning Peter three times, Jesus is eroding the three times that Peter had denied him. Chipping away at them, one by one. Like three ducks picked off on a rifle range at a fair. He removes the black cloud, and is forgiving and freeing Peter.
Jesus, who knows everything, verse 17, will take the commitment that Peter is prepared to give, one where Peter is aware of his own shortcomings, and Jesus will build him up in his love and commitment.
We have a God who has come to meet us as we are, and where we are in the person and work of Jesus. He knows where we are and then moves us on from that position to make us more like the people that he wants us to be. This process lasts for the whole of our earthly lives, and there is a sense in which we are never as good as God would like us to be. But he accepts us as we are.
The forgiveness of Peter leads to him being commissioned by Jesus to minister. To nourish and look after Jesus' sheep. The sheep belong to Jesus, but Peter is to minister to them.
Forgiveness by Jesus should lead to every Christian ministering for Christ. Of course, not every Christian is called to be a teacher and pastor in the way that Peter was. But every Christian is gifted by God with at least one gift, and that gift is to be used for the building up of God's people. It doesn't matter if that gift is an up-front one, or behind the scenes one. They are all equally important to God. And you and I are all equally important to God.
Jesus tells Peter that this ministry would end in his crucifixion. This picks up on Peter's declaration ( 13:37 ) that he would lay down his life for Jesus. A declaration that was followed by Jesus prediction that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crows. After telling Peter that he would be crucified Jesus calls Peter to follow him ( verse 19 ).
We live in a world where things are made easier for us. Automatic washing machines, microwaves, millions of pounds for guessing which numbers will be drawn at random, automatic cars, remote controls, running water and many other labour saving devices. Commitment that costs can be foreign in such a world. Jesus told his disciples that when we follow him we can expect troubles and persecution. Ministering in his name will not be easy or popular. But we will never be alone, and our ministry can bear fruit that lasts into eternity.
During a forty day period Jesus was seen alive by over five hundred people. It wasn't until Jesus had ascended to heaven and sent his Holy Spirit on these first disciples that they were endued with the joy and the power that they needed to become fishers of men. And on that first day of Pentecost 3,000 people became Christians in response to Peter's sermon. Something that would have made the 153 fish appear insignificant.
As disciples of the risen Lord Jesus we can have the confidence of knowing that he has risen. He has conquered death and is sitting at the right hand of God. Praying for us. We can also know the joy and the power of Jesus through his Holy Spirit. So that we can live and witness for him.
The Duke of Wellington was about to pronounce the death sentence on a confirmed deserter. Deeply moved the great General said : "I am extremely sorry to pass this severe sentence, but we have tried everything. All the discipline and penalties have failed to improve this man who is otherwise a brave and good soldier."
He then gave the man's comrades an opportunity to speak for him. One of the men said, "Please, your Excellency, there is one thing you have never tried. You have not tried forgiving him." The General forgave him and it worked : the soldier never again deserted and from this time forward always showed his gratitude to the Iron Duke.
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14/4/2013
Play the start of “Walk a mile in my shoes” by Brian Ferry.
I would like us to walk a mile in the shoes of Simon Peter this morning.
Having met the risen Lord Jesus twice in Jerusalem, Simon walked the sixty miles back home to Galilee. An angel had given instructions that Jesus would meet the disciples there, Mark 16:7. Simon had gone back to his old way of life as a fisherman. Perhaps he wanted the comfort and familiarity of his former occupation in contrast with the upheaval of the last few weeks. It was usual to fish at night and, next morning they had caught nothing. Perhaps Simon thought he had lost the knack!
This, apparent stranger on the shoreline, tells them to cast their nets on the right. Morning was not the best time to fish, but they obeyed and were blessed with a numerous catch of large fish. The second miracle was that the nets didn’t break!
This was the second time Jesus had commanded the disciples to cast their nets after a fruitless night's fishing. The first time was shortly before Jesus called Simon to walk with Him and that he would become a fisher of men.
This miracle shows, once more, the failure of the disciples to succeed in their own strength. It also showed the blessings that can come when they trusted in the power of Jesus.
Simon was all too aware of this. He had boasted about being prepared to lose his life for Jesus, Jn 13.37, yet had denied Jesus three times shortly afterwards.
Having eaten together, which must have relaxed them, Jesus takes Simon for a walk and they talk, cf verse 20.
In the conversation between Jesus and Peter, two Greek words are used that can be translated ‘love’. ‘Agape’, which refers to a pure, self-giving love that cares more about the one being loved than the one who is giving the love. An unconditional love and trust. It is used to describe the love that God has for us. The NIV translates this ‘truly love’. So the first two times Jesus asks Peter ‘Do you agape me ?’
The other Greek word is ‘philos’. This refers to a brotherly love, a friendship, a fondness for someone. The NIV translates this ‘love’. Peter always uses this word to say that he loves Jesus.
So, the conversation, recorded in verses 15-17, went :
Jesus : Simon son of John do you agape me more than the other disciples agape me?
Jesus addresses him as Simon. The name he was given before Jesus renamed him Peter, literally “Rocky”, the dependable one the early church was built on. Perhaps this suggests that Simon had a way to go before he became Peter.
Simon : Yes Lord, you know that I philos you.
Jesus: Simon son of John do you agape me ?
Simon : Yes Lord you know that I philos you.
Jesus : Simon son of John do you philos me ?
Simon: “Lord you know all things, you know that I philos you.”
It was as if Jesus was coming down to meet Peter at Peter’s level of commitment. Perhaps Simon’s wariness in using agape was because of his realisation of his own inadequacy after his threefold denial of Christ and of Jesus’ crucifixion.
On the third occasion when Jesus says ‘ Do you ‘philos’ me ? ‘ verse 17 tells us that Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him this. Perhaps he was hurt when he realised that his own love was not as strong as the love of Jesus.
In asking this question three times, and commissioning Peter three times, Jesus is eroding the three times that Peter had denied him. Chipping away at them, one by one. Like three ducks picked off on a rifle range at a fair. He removes this black cloud, is forgiving, and frees Peter. He frees him to feed Jesus’ sheep. To teach and build up the early church. To continue to walk through trusting and loving Jesus.
Jesus, who knows everything, verse 17, will take the commitment that Peter is prepared to give, one where Peter is aware of his own shortcomings, and Jesus will build him up in his love and commitment. Jesus is also preparing Peter to fulfil his mission to be a fisher of men. Peter could not accomplish in his own strength. He had to wait for the gift of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost to empower him to preach the gospel so 3,000 people came to faith that day, Acts 2.41.
There may be some similarities between Peter and you and me. There will have been times when we let Jesus down. Perhaps times when we have said rash words, when we have failed to live up to our promises and ideals When we have wandered from the route we should be walking.
The good news of Christianity is that we do not earn our way to God. We cannot do this. All we have to do is to acknowledge our failures and come to Jesus with all that we can offer Him, and rely on His free, undeserved, loving forgiveness.
Some of you here today may have taken your first steps of trusting in Jesus years ago. Keep on walking with Him. Don't forget that being a Christian is about continually walking in His grace, His undeserved favour.
Some of you have yet to make that decisive step. I would encourage you to take it today. Think of Jesus' great agape love for you. Don't be worried about your past, Jesus will forgive that. Don't worry about the future. Jesus will walk with you in it.
Finally, we are called to walk together as a church, a family of believers, with Jesus. To be fed and taken care of. Next Sunday we will be considering how we can walk together as a church family during the next five years. We can be encouraged by this. The surveys show that in the last 5 years we've seen 4 times greater growth than the previous 5 years. How can we continue to do this, even improve on this?
Please come to our lunch and vision session next Sunday, even if you have not filled in one of the questionnaires. Please read the Notice Sheet for more details and sign up on the list today.