May 3, 2012
A HEART FOR GOD
John 21
Joy Wohlwend
Central Truth
We are known and loved by God truthfully, wholly, and sincerely.
Key Verse | John 21:19
Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!"
(John 21:19)
John 21
Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples
1 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards 1 21:8 Greek two hundred cubits; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters off.
9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus and the Beloved Apostle
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers 2 21:23 Or brothers and sisters that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
25 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.
Dive Deeper | John 21
Something I am continually amazed by as I follow God is the individuality and uniqueness of His call. Christianity was never meant to be a cookie-cutter, one-size-fit-all type of experience. It is a relationship with a one-of-a-kind God, whose heart is for us and who understands each circumstance and trial we go through.
In this passage, the disciples, though having seen the risen Christ, revert to fishing. Jesus comes and reaches out to them tenderly. John is quick to recognize the Lord on the shore and without hesitation Peter jumps in. The rest of the disciples haul in the catch, and Jesus cares for each where they are. The hungry are fed, John is gifted with additional time with Jesus before grieving His departure. Doubting Thomas is allowed another chance to connect and perhaps to settle any lingering questions. Peter is restored for each time he denied Christ.
Sometimes, I struggle with feeling "enough" for God. I look at others and see bigger, "badder," smoother; less hesitation, greater transparency, and more courage. I remember a trying time when I went out to cope by plodding along the track. Even there, I found myself comparing myself to those circling the track many times faster than I. In that moment, I heard God say tenderly to me, "Run the race I have set before you."
Somehow within our walk, it needs to become enough that God knows. All of our weaknesses, all our desires, our purpose, and even our death are not hidden from Him. Why is there any temptation to present ourselves as anything else? Our focus is misdirected when we are consumed with putting on the right show or questioning why God allows another to experience something different. Peter's query regarding John is gently rebuked by Jesus, ". . . what is that to you? You follow Me!" Incredible freedom and joy exist when we allow and trust our Father to know what is best for us. Our response should be sincere wholehearted devotion within the confines of the story that God has for us.
Discussion Questions
1. Is the Father "enough" for you? Is Jesus' work on the cross completed, or do you feel the need to amend it somehow?
2. Do you believe the Father knows everything about you and still is for you? If yes, is that a conscious decision or a heartfelt conviction?
3. Are there any doubts, fears, or presumptions preventing you from growing closer to God?
4. What is one thing you can trust God with today?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
John 18 – Acts 2 (April 30 – May 4)
Read Acts 2:41-47.
• This is the early church. Discuss all the things they were doing together.
• How is this similar to your church today?
• God calls us to be in community together. Parents share with your kids what community looks like in your life.
• Then discuss how community looks for your kids. What friends are they "sharing life with"? And talk about what it looks like to really live in community (e.g., sharing the good and the bad, meeting together regularly, serving the needy together, helping each other when you are in need, etc.).
Activity: Make a list of some of the most important people in your community. Think about something that you can do for them to let them know you are thankful to have them in your life (e.g., bake some cookies and leave on their porch, write them personal thank-you notes, or throw a movie night at your house).