Posts Tagged ‘John 18-21’
Scripture reading for November 5th: John 18-21
John’s account of the resurrection contains some information not recorded by the other Gospel writers. John tells how Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning and found the stone rolled away. (John 20:1-22) She found Peter and “the other disciple” (John) and they ran to the tomb. John got there first and was looking in when Peter caught up and went right on in. They found the grave clothes and head cloth neatly folded where the body had been laid. John saw this and believed that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Mary stood outside crying, and as she bent to look into the tomb, she suddenly saw two angels dressed in white. They asked her why she was crying. She responded that she was broken because she did not know who might have taken the body away and where they had put Him. Turning around, she saw a man standing there. She thought it might be the gardener and asked him where Jesus’ body might have been put. Jesus spoke her name, “Mary” and she recognized Him. “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell them ‘I am returning to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” (John 20:17) It is interesting that Jesus now calls the disciples His brothers. He calls His Father and God, their Father and God!
On that evening of the first day of the week that Jesus rose again, the disciples were gathered behind locked doors. Jesus came and appeared to them. “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me , I am sending you.” And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:21-23) This was the first thing John recorded that Jesus did when He visited them on that first day after the resurrection. Jesus wanted them filled with peace. He wanted them to have a vision and purpose to their lives: being sent into the world for seeking lost people. He wanted them to be empowered with the Spirit enough to personally breath on them. What joy this must have brought after the experience of Jesus’ crucifixion!
Scripture reading for November 5th: John 18-21
When you are in a covenant relationship with someone, it is always good to affirm our love for that person. We go through seasons when the relationship may be strained or drifting rather than passionately connected. We go through personal trials and attacks of Satan that seek to knock us off our vows of commitment. Today we will consider Peter, one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples who denied Jesus three times after His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:22-27)
We don’t know exactly how long after the resurrection that the account in John 21 takes place. Peter and a number of the disciples had decided to go fishing in the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee). They fished all night and by morning had nothing to show for. As they were approaching shore, Jesus stood there and called out to them. They told Him that they had no fish but didn’t recognize Him as the Lord. He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. When they did, they were unable to haul their net into the boat because of the great number of fish! John recognized Jesus at that point and told Peter it was Him. Peter immediately jumped into the water and came to Jesus, who had built a fire with fish already cooking and some bread for the tired fishermen. John’s account states that this was the third time Jesus appeared to them.
After Jesus served them the meal, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and asked him a question. “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.” (John 21:15) This was repeated three times in similar fashion. Peter’s feelings were hurt because Jesus asked him this three times. (John 21:17) Jesus made a statement of prophecy to Peter about how he would die to glorify God and then called Peter to follow Him.
Jesus wants us all to affirm our love for Him on a daily basis. We can tell Him we love Him and that is well and good. Actions also show our love for Jesus. In Peter’s case, he was called to feed the lambs and sheep. A shepherd must care for the animals, and a pastor is a shepherd! Feeding lambs and sheep requires daily discipline and tender care. We must follow the ‘Good Shepherd” in order to properly feed and care for His sheep! They are His sheep, not ours! Love for Jesus is demonstrated by obedience!
A final thought concerns Peter’s death. Tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome. He chose that because he felt unworthy to die as his Lord Jesus had! Peter’s life and death brought glory to God! We must live in obedience to the Lord! “To live is Christ, to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:21)