In the last chapter of John's Gospel we read about our Lord's appearance to seven disciples, the restoration of Peter and the prophecy about the future of Peter, and John the beloved disciple. Jesus appeared again to the disciples by the sea of Galilee.After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter did not know what to do. So he said I am going for fishing. Though he did not invite them, other disciples volunteered to go with him. There is no indication that Peter intended to return to his old occupation permanently. Beware that our bad example can influence others negatively. They caught nothing during the night. Peter in particular must have felt worthless as a fisherman. He failed his Lord in the past , now he was a failed fisherman. Then in the early morning hour they heard a voice from the shore"children, do you have any fish?" They said no. They had no clue who he was. He said "through your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some". They obeyed Him because there was something compelling about this stranger. They caught many fish and could not draw in the net because it was so heavy. Then John said to Peter "it is the Lord".How did John recognize Jesus? Because Jesus had done this before(Lk 5:4-11).Immediately Peter jumped in to the water and reached the shore. Other disciples joined Peter. By that time Christ had already prepared a meal consisted of fish and bread for them. Jesus asked them to bring some fish that you have just caught. There were 153 fish, yet the net was not torn. Thus Christ manifested His glory. Jesus invited them to come and dine. He served them bread and fish. They ate in silence under the weight of their unfaithfulness. What a merciful Savior!
In the following verses we see one of the greatest conversations of restoration in history (21:15-17). Peter realized he had denied his Lord. And he went out and wept bitterly(Lk 22:62). Peter also knew that Jesus had forgiven him. He denied Jesus three times, now the Lord asks Peter three times about his love for the Lord. The Lord was probing the sincerity of Peter's love. First two times Jesus asked Peter "do you love me with a sacrificial love, God's kind of love(Agapao)? Peter responded with a different word for love(Phileo), which means deep friendship love. Each time Peter responded, Jesus reaffirmed his future ministry by saying, "feed my sheep".Third time Jesus used the same word Peter used for love and asked him do you love me with friendship love? Peter replied "Lord you know everything, you know that I love you". Thus Peter affirmed his devotion to the Lord before receiving the the call to feed and care for the believers. Jesus is the good Shepherd who gave his life to save us. He is also the good Shepherd who restores the sheep and gives the responsibility. They are the under shepherds. And when the chief Shepherd appears, they will receive the crown of glory for their faithful service(1Pet 5:2-4). We must love God before we can serve Him faithfully. If we love God we long for Him(PS 42:1). Then we love the things He loves and hate what He hates. Those who love the Lord will long for His return. If we love Him we will obey His commandments(John 14:15). Like Peter, you may be tempted to believe that you have failed the Lord and God can never use you in His service again. Peter, repented and he was restored. Come to Christ, He will restore you. A committed heart leads to committed service.
Jesus' first and the last invitation to Peter was follow me.(Mk 1:17; John 21:19). Following Christ should be a consistent experience. When we fail, be honest with the Lord. He will restore us and use us for His glory. Jesus indicated that Peter will have a long and useful life of service. Peter asked about the future of John. Jesus said to peter, you just follow me. We must not compare our life with other believer's life. Jesus calls Peter to a life of total commitment to Him. How about you and me? The entire Gospel is the testimony of John about the deity of Jesus Christ. John concludes that he has written only a small portion of all that Jesus did. Jesus is asking each one of us this question. Do you love me? May God help us to know Jesus personally and follow Him faithfully in the coming days. God bless you all!
In the following verses we see one of the greatest conversations of restoration in history (21:15-17). Peter realized he had denied his Lord. And he went out and wept bitterly(Lk 22:62). Peter also knew that Jesus had forgiven him. He denied Jesus three times, now the Lord asks Peter three times about his love for the Lord. The Lord was probing the sincerity of Peter's love. First two times Jesus asked Peter "do you love me with a sacrificial love, God's kind of love(Agapao)? Peter responded with a different word for love(Phileo), which means deep friendship love. Each time Peter responded, Jesus reaffirmed his future ministry by saying, "feed my sheep".Third time Jesus used the same word Peter used for love and asked him do you love me with friendship love? Peter replied "Lord you know everything, you know that I love you". Thus Peter affirmed his devotion to the Lord before receiving the the call to feed and care for the believers. Jesus is the good Shepherd who gave his life to save us. He is also the good Shepherd who restores the sheep and gives the responsibility. They are the under shepherds. And when the chief Shepherd appears, they will receive the crown of glory for their faithful service(1Pet 5:2-4). We must love God before we can serve Him faithfully. If we love God we long for Him(PS 42:1). Then we love the things He loves and hate what He hates. Those who love the Lord will long for His return. If we love Him we will obey His commandments(John 14:15). Like Peter, you may be tempted to believe that you have failed the Lord and God can never use you in His service again. Peter, repented and he was restored. Come to Christ, He will restore you. A committed heart leads to committed service.
Jesus' first and the last invitation to Peter was follow me.(Mk 1:17; John 21:19). Following Christ should be a consistent experience. When we fail, be honest with the Lord. He will restore us and use us for His glory. Jesus indicated that Peter will have a long and useful life of service. Peter asked about the future of John. Jesus said to peter, you just follow me. We must not compare our life with other believer's life. Jesus calls Peter to a life of total commitment to Him. How about you and me? The entire Gospel is the testimony of John about the deity of Jesus Christ. John concludes that he has written only a small portion of all that Jesus did. Jesus is asking each one of us this question. Do you love me? May God help us to know Jesus personally and follow Him faithfully in the coming days. God bless you all!
