Restoration of Peter John 21

Restoration of Peter

John 21

13 August 2017

Rev Renny Khoo

The gospel of John could have ended in Chapter 20.

John 20:30-31

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

But there is a chapter 21 about the restoration of Peter.

Jesus' Appearance to the Disciples in Galilee

1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Peter's Restoration
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Peter and the Disciple Jesus Loved
20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

A Final Note
24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Title: Restoration of Peter

Text: John 21

Jesus asked Peter two important questions.

This is the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples after his resurrection.
After the meal at the Sea of Galilee Jesus led Peter through an experience that would not only remove the guilt that came from Peter's denial but transformed him into a renewed disciple of Jesus. The two questions are:

1) Do you love me (more than these)?

Peter felt very confused, guilty and a failure after disowning Jesus three times. He had boasted that he would never forsake Jesus.
To affirm Peter's love and commitment, Jesus asked Peter three times. 'Do you love me?" Each time Peter answered Jesus "l love you". Jesus exhorted Peter to care for his flock: "Feed my lambs" "Take care of my sheep" "Feed my sheep".
After Peter's confession Jesus asked him to follow him and restored and reinstated him as a transformed disciple.
i ) Restoration of Peter's love.
Jesus restored Peter from a failure to be a shepherd to look after God's flock and to die for the sheep just as Jesus did.
ii ) Reinstatement of God's call.
Jesus reinstated Peter to a higher calling to be the rock on which he will build his church.
iii ) Resolution of God's mission.
Jesus recommissioned Peter for sacrificial leadership where love will be focussed on others and not on self.

"More than these" can be translated in different ways. The most appropriate translation is "more than the miraculous catch of the fish". This is because they were experienced fishermen and they caught nothing the whole night. Yet when they listened to a stranger ( whom they didn't know is Jesus) they had a miraculous catch. They were impressed.

2) If it is my will ( that he remains until I come) what is that to you?

Jesus tells Peter that it is not his business to be concerned about how long John will live or how he will die. The decision is up to Jesus and not him. We are to follow Jesus according to what he had revealed to us individually. As such we are not to compare ourselves with others as we are made and gifted differently to fulfill God's special plan for our lives.

Reckon with the past. Seek closure.

In order to move healthily into the future with the Lord we need to break with the past and seek closure on the things that still haunt us. It could be unforgiveness, regrets, failures, hurts etc. Just like Peter, Jesus is ever ready to help us find closure to our past. Even though Peter denied Jesus three times but when he reinstated his love for Jesus three times Jesus restored his destiny and calling and he went on to become one of the greatest apostles.

Questions for reflection and response

1) imagine for a moment that you are Peter. What do you think of Peter's emotions when Jesus asked him of his love towards Jesus? Any shift in Peter's thoughts/emotions as the conversation with Jesus progresses?

2) Share how you understand Jesus' love/forgiveness towards Peter. Now share how you experience God's forgiveness toward yourself?

3) How do you understand 'reset button' and 'closure' in life? What are some helpful scripture verses?