John 21 - God Never Gives Up On Us!
Key Verses
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you 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 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.
Commentary
This is the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after being raised from the dead. This by far has the most about of personal detail, as Jesus unites one last time with the disciples, before he ascended into heaven. Some commentators believe this was a later addition to the book of John, because chapter 20 ends with essentially the same words as chapter 21.
Chapter 20 - Last verse
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Chapter 21 - Last Verse
"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."
Even if this were a later addition given by the Johannine community, I think it is consistent with everything we know about Jesus and his disciples. The way in which he restored the Simon Peter is a classic teaching on Jesus' mercy and grace.
In the story, Jesus appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee. The forlorn disciples had gone back to what they knew best ... fishing. To add insult to injury they had rough night and had not caught anything. Early in the morning, Jesus showed up on the beach and calls out and tells them to throw their nets overboard. Sound familiar.
This was basically the same scene in Luke 5:1-11, where Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets over the side. They had not caught anything that night either, but they bring in such a big load of fish that their nets began to break and their boats began to sink. I am sure what happened in John 21 that morning brought back that memory from three years ago. I'm sure it was not coinicidental on Jesus' part. He had called them to be his disciples in Luke 5, and now he was restoring them to be his apostles.
But Jesus has a special purpose for Peter. After all, it was Peter who was the most ashamed to see Jesus. Remember Peter was the one who blurted out, "Even if all deny you, I will never deny you!" But after being asked three times at the scene of Jesus' resurrection if he knew Jesus, he called out, "I never knew the man!" When the cock crowed a second time, he remembered Jesus words that he would betray Jesus three times before the cock crowed twice.
But instead of dressing Peter down, Jesus used this occasion to restore Peter to be his apostle. Jesus restored Peter in a unique way. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. When Peter answered "yes", albeitly feeling a little hurt by the third time, Jesus told him each time, "Feed my sheep!"
Again it is not coincidence that Jesus asked him this question three times, after Peter had denied him three times. But not only did Jesus forgive Peter, he called him to be a shepherd to his people. He would be the one that would spearhead the exponential growth of the early Christian church, which changed the world. Peter faithfully preached the gospel Jesus entrusted to him and cared for the people in his flock. Tradition has it that Peter was crucified in a similar manner as Jesus, but wanted to be crucified upside down. Apparently he felt he didn't deserve to be crucified right side up in the same manner Jesus was crucified.
The story of Jesus' restoration of Peter teaches us that though we all deny Jesus in some way at some point in our lives, Jesus doesn't give up on us. There was a point in my life, as a young Christian, that I denied Jesus for all intents and purposes. Jesus had revealed himself to me in high school and my faith would go two steps forward and three steps back during my high school years. In college I strayed away even more but fortunately after college I found my way back to church. After being disciples by some incredible Christian men for four years, I ended up going to seminary four years later. Jesus had never given up on me. I am forever grateful that Jesus restored me and called me to be pastor. I can't imagine doing anything else these past 30 years.
How about you? Like Peter, have you denied Jesus? How is your love for Jesus being shown as you disciple and encourage other Christians? If you are not in a church, find one where you can be part of God's flock under the direction of a good shepherd/pastor!
Prayer
Jesus thank you for your grace and mercy that called us to be your followers, and your grace and mercy for to not give up on us when we deny you. Like Peter, may we show our love for you by feeding others through prayer, encouragment, and through God's Word! Amen.
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