Sunday: Meeting in Galilee
Daily Lesson for Sunday 22nd of December 2024
Read John 21:1-19. What crucial truths are revealed here, especially about God’s grace—and human humility?
John 20:1-31 ends with the purpose of the book, which would be the logical place to conclude, but there is one more chapter. Chapter 21 begins with some of the disciples back in Galilee, with Peter suggesting a night on the lake. It looks as though old times have returned, and the disciples are back to their old trade, fishing. But they catch nothing that night.
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In the morning, a mysterious stranger on the shore tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They then catch so many fish that they cannot pull in the net. It was like the beginning of their ministry with Jesus (see Luke 5:1-11). John immediately recognizes Jesus and tells Peter, who immediately jumps in the water and swims ashore.
Jesus asks Peter three questions, all concerning love for his Master. Before the Crucifixion, Peter insisted that he would lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:37). That is when Jesus predicted his threefold denial (John 13:38). At this meeting in Galilee, Peter does not make himself the reference point but rather makes it Jesus: “ ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you’ ” (John 21:17, ESV).
Some note that Jesus uses the verb agapaō, which means to love, in questioning Peter (except for the last time), and that Peter always responds with phileō, which means to love, but just as a friend. The implication is that Peter has not achieved the higher kind of love.
Actually, Peter’s response is focused on humility. With Peter’s failure ever before him, it is more likely that he humbly uses a “lower term,” daring not to claim too much for himself. And it is this humility that Jesus affirms, and which becomes crucial in restoring Peter to ministry. No question, humility is one of the greatest qualifications for ministry because the focus then becomes Jesus Christ and not self.
Peter’s restoration and role as leader in the early church is one of the strongest evidences that Jesus rose from the dead. It would be hard to explain Peter’s prominence if Jesus had not, in the presence of the other disciples, restored him to ministry.
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Why is humility so key in anyone seeking to know the Lord? In light of the Cross, what do any of us have to be proud of? |
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We often use the story of Jesus and Peter to provide credible evidence for the resurrection's historicity. And while I do not dismiss that, it is often lost in the minds of modern secular listeners. The most significant aspect of this story is the deeply personal nature of redemption. Peter had stuffed up badly. His impetuousness had led him to defend Jesus with a sword, and claim that no matter what happened to Jesus, he would follow him. Yet, when push came to shove, three times he caved in and swore that he did not know him. Then the rooster crowed and Peter woke up to where he had been and what he had done.
In a classroom of thirty-odd students, when you have one bad student, it is easy to dismiss the bad student so that you can spend time helping the good students. Jesus went after the bad student.
Jesus knew the importance of offering forgiveness and filling the void with a new beginning. It is that personal attention to detail for one man that assures me of salvation. Jesus did not say, "See you in the Kindom!" He gave Peter a task to do: feeding the sheep and lambs of the Christian movement.
We like to make theology about salvation offered to all mankind through Jesus' death and resurrection. The practical theology is the salvation of the individual. I love the little snippet of information that Mark gives us in his Gospel:
It is important to know that in a large class, the slow learner is never forgotten. That is what makes salvation special.
Yes, I love your post today!!
I'm a slow learner too. But I'm so glad that Jesus will never forget about me or give up on me; He is still working on me!
Praise His Holy Name!
The restoration of Peter is a profound depth of God’s matchless grace which illustrates the love of God to save everyone (John 3:16). God always extends second opportunities to us without limit. He is actively pursuing us to receive and believe in Him to become Children of God (John 1:12). The story of David in the Old Testament (Psalms 51) is yet another wonderous demonstration of God’s forgiveness when we respond to his love. The Bible also reminds us how God pursued a murderer, Paul (1 Timothy 1:13, Acts 22:4, Acts 26:9-11) to save him into his eternal kingdom. While the Bible, particularly in the Book of John is profoundly rich in demonstrating the amazing power of God to save, sadly we are also reminded of those who are lost because of not taking up God’s second chances. Judas Iscariot is just one example for us if we reject Jesus the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (Matthew 26:24, John 17:12).
There are rich spiritual nuggets to be picked from the restoration of Peter as recorded in John 21:
1.God’s mercies are far greater than our shortcomings – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17 – NIV). God does not label us by our past misdeeds, his compassion is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22 – 23).
2.Restoration demands genuine repentance – Jesus asked Peter three times; “Do you love me” and Peter’s response in the affirmative was an illustration of his repentance and reaffirmation of his commitment to Jesus. Our hearts must express deep and irrevocable sorry for our past wrongs and genuine desire to walk in the newness of life through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13, 2 Peter 1:3).
3.We are restored for service – After Peter affirmed his love for Jesus, the Lord commanded him to “Feed My lambs”, “Shepherd My sheep” and “Feed My sheep”. After we have been forgiven, wants to grow in his goodness through service to our fellow humans (Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
4.Our love for Jesus is at the center of restoration – We must be attached to the true vine (Jesus). “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4 – NKJV). Our love relationship with Jesus will bring forth a spring of rivers that shall never run dry (John 4:14, Isaiah 58:11).
5.Restoration is not an end by itself but a new beginning – Once Peter was restored, Jesus bid him “follow me” (John 21:19). We are never a finished product, but a work in progress. By the grace of God, we need to have the faith of Abraham. How can Abraham be a pilgrim in the promised land? Dear Jesus, please let me be a pilgrim in this land as I look forward to New Jerusalem my permanent residence (John 14:1-3). Amen
"By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:9-10, Hebrews 11:13-16).
Dear Brethen,
I truly enjoyed reading your post. However, Peter and Judas should not be mentioned in the same sentence, or the same passage; for there is no comparison between them. But I do understand your point.
Peter had humility, as our Sabbath School lesson brought out in today's reading; but Judas did not. So many times, Jesus give Judas had the opportunity to become humble, but he did not.
But Peter... Even after his shame and humiliation of denying that he knew Jesus, he still mustered up the courage, and humbled himself, and went out to meet Jesus with the other disciples. Judas took the coward's way out.
Peter went on to do amazing thing, to continue Jesus' ministry through the Holy Spirit, as you pointed out.
We all should focus on the good examples of discipleship (that you listed) in this upcoming year, 2025, in the hopes that Jesus' return is nearer than we think.
God bless you all!
"Peter and Judas should not be mentioned in the same sentence"
I think it's instructive to mention them together by way of contrast. Judas was self-serving; he loved self more than he did Jesus. Peter truly loved the Lord, but was too self confident and did not know his own weakness--until he denied Jesus 3 times. In some ways that was his "Damascus Road" experience.
Many of us (maybe most?) are afflicted with too much self confidence and are in danger of doing what Peter did, given the right peer pressure. And the devil is only too happy to provide it. Developing the attitude of the Publican who went up to the temple to pray would go a long way toward pr evening us from falling as Peter did. "God be merciful to me, the sinner." Luke 18:13.
Wow!..."Peter’s restoration and role as leader in the early church is one of the strongest evidences that Jesus rose from the dead. It would be hard to explain Peter’s prominence if Jesus had not, in the presence of the other disciples, restored him to ministry."....profound!
The restoration of Peter follows the same concept like his call. Discipleship is really about the call, ministering to the needs, teaching about Christ’s love in a bid to encourage others in the Lord. Humility is a key characteristic of a disciple and just the same way Jesus encouraged Peter we are encouraged through the story os Peter’s restoration
Humility opens the door to considering truths beyond those one currently holds. When Jesus met His disciples at their place of work - catching fish to sustain their livelihood - He demonstrated this principle; no clear path had been laid out for them, yet. But, once again, He needed to know if they still loved Him.
To continue His work, He needed them to be willing to follow Him, and the only way for them to be able to do so was for them to still love/trust Him. The transformative event of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was yet to come; this would not occur until 10 days after Jesus’ ascension.
Jesus called upon His disciples to meet Him one more time, wanting to inform them about the purpose of all that which they had learned and observed from Him and to put it into practice; calling them to - “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” – Matt. 28:16-20.
It was to be their work. It was necessary for them to know what would be the heart of their work - God's Truth shared in Love and humility. These essential qualities would need to undergird their work as they shared His Gospel — His Way, His Truth, and His Life, as given to them by Jesus Christ.
Just as Jesus faithfully humbled Himself to fulfill the Father’s Will, His followers are called upon to do the same. Just as He asked Peter, He also asks us if we love Him. As we confess our love for Jesus Christ, we also express our love for the Father. It is His Love working through us which ultimately reveals the Father to those we come in contact with - John 10:17.
The threefold question "Do you love me?" that Jesus asked Peter was not just for Peter’s personal healing, but it was a way to restore him to his rightful place in God's mission. Each question provided Peter with the opportunity to express his love for Jesus, to acknowledge his dependence on Jesus, and to accept the responsibility of leading the early church. This encounter shows that love for Jesus is not just a feeling but involves a life of commitment and action caring for others, humbling oneself, and accepting God’s grace. Peter's experience serves as a powerful reminder to all believers that even after failure, Jesus offers forgiveness, restoration, and a renewed calling to serve.
When Jesus enters the heart, the most impressive changes can happen! As a Christian, I continue to have the freedom to choose, but I want to choose Jesus every day! He can transform my traumas into beautiful, resilient character achievements!