SOMETIMES PETER, BUT NEVER JUDAS (JOHN 21:1-22)
A group of prospectors set out from Bannock, Montana (then capital of the state), in search of gold. They went through many hardships and several of their little company died en route. Finally they were overtaken by the Indians who took their good horses, leaving them with only a few limping old ponies. Then they threatened them, telling them to get back to Bannock and stay there, for if they overtook them again, they would murder the lot of them.
Defeated, discouraged and downhearted, the prospectors sought to make their way back to the capital city. On one occasion as they tethered out the limping ponies on a creekside, one of the men casually picked up a little stone from the creek bed. He called to his buddy for a hammer and upon cracking the rock, he said, “It looks as though there may be gold here.” The two of them panned gold the rest of the afternoon and managed to realize twelve dollars’ worth. The entire little company panned gold the next day in the same creek and realized fifty dollars, a great sum in those days. They said to one another: “We have struck it!” They made their way back to Bannock and vowed not to breathe a word concerning this gold strike. They secretively set about re-equipping themselves with supplies for another prospecting trip. But when they got ready to go back, three hundred men followed them.
Who had told on them? No one! Their beaming faces betrayed the secret!
At Jesus’ death the disciples were the greatest bunch of doubters, cowards and losers. Judas hanged himself, Peter denied Christ three times and all of them stood far away when Jesus was crucified (Lk 23:49). After seeing the resurrected Christ, they were transformed men. They built the first church. They were the first evangelists, the first missionaries and the first martyrs, fearlessly withstanding danger and risking death. The transformed lives of the disciples were arguably the strongest evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. No argument was more convincing.
The Resurrection of Jesus not only meant that Jesus Christ had defeated Satan and conquered death, but that He has returned to claim, redeem and empower the disciples. The disciples had an opportunity to correct themselves, experience God’s power and speak of God’s transforming power in their lives. The disciples had a second chance - well, more like a third chance (v 14). All in all, the Risen Christ appeared to more than five hundred (1 Cor 15:6) over a period of forty days
(Acts 1:3). Almost like until they get it.
What was life like for the knowledgeable fishermen and disciples without the transforming power of the Risen Christ? What does it mean to be given a second chance? How would you respond given an opportunity to make things right? Why does it require both divine intervention and personal courage?
Rise From a Life of Futility to Fruitfulness
21:1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. (John 21:1-6)
A minister was full of energy and enthusiasm for the Lord. One day he went to the hospital to visit one of his parishioners who was critically ill. The minister entered the room and saw the man lying in bed with a whole host of tubes and wires attached to his body. Without any delay the minister strode to his bedside and began to exhort him to be of good cheer. Soon the man started to wave his arms. This encouraged the minister, and so he exhorted him more and more enthusiastically.
Finally the minister ended with a rather lengthy prayer. At the final “Amen” the minister opened his eyes just in time to see the man reach for a pad of paper and a pencil. Quickly he wrote something and handed it to the minister. Then the man turned his head and died. The minister was deeply moved to think that his visit to this man had occurred in the nick of time. Then he looked at the pad and read these words: “You are standing on my oxygen tube.”
The disciples were the closest thing to running on empty. They had work to do and places to go but they were not going nowhere fast and getting nothing done. They left Jerusalem and went back to where they came from -- the same sea of Galilee -- and did the only thing they knew how: fishing. They were guiding nobody. Who was the leader? You’ll probably not know. Peter the leader now did not give orders, the others did not know what to do and no one wanted to be left alone. Peter could only speak for himself as he went fishing.
The disciples were getting nothing even they knew the best time to fish was at night (v 3). The fishermen knew what to do, where to go and who to take but they did not get so much as an anchovy. In popular English, we say they were all dressed up with nowhere to go.
Without the resurrection, faith and religion are worthless and vain. 1 Corinthians 15:13-14 says, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised from the dead, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
Jesus deliberately showed the disciples that their lives were futile and fruitless previously, but now they could find true meaning again in following, trusting and obeying His orders, even abandoning their own methods and adopting simples ones such as throwing their nets into the sea on a hopeless day. Jesus did not just say to them, I am the Lord, which would have solved the puzzle. He wanted them to discover and recognize by themselves who He was. He is the Lord-- the One who had no rules on when to fish (early in the morning), where to fish (the shore), and how to fish (the right side of the boat).
The Risen Christ now brought to the disciples’ memory how He had met them, what He had done for them and what He had told them concerning His identity and mission. Jesus could have caught fish for them but He always had the disciples do it -- when they first understood He was Lord by the sea (Lk 5:8), when Peter took the coin from the fish’s mouth to pay taxes (Matt 17:27), and here after the Resurrection. The mission was for them to carry out. Further, there was no better way out of disillusionment and depression than having a hands-on trainings session.
Rise From a Life of Fatigue to Fitness
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. (John 21:7-14)
The book “Three of China’s Mighty Men” by Leslie Lyall tells the story of Mingdao Wang, the most renowned Christian figure in China. In 1951 many Christians were arrested and fear dominated the Christian community as one prominent Christian after another was identified, arrested and punished. The press conducted a violent campaign of abuse against the church and Christians.
Wang was an obvious target. After many repeated warnings, uneasy confrontations and close encounters, Wang was arrested after preaching his last sermon on August 7th 1955, and the church was closed and sealed a week later. The world was shocked with his arrest, but was more stunned by his admission. When Wang was released from prison on September 30th, fifty-three days later, he read a statement of public confession that would shake and dismay the Christian world: “I am a person of guilty of anti-revolutionary deeds. I am obliged to the patient education of the government which made me realize my own mistakes, and yet the government dealt with me genuinely and has delivered me from the gulf of crime.” (p 135)
After his release, Wang battled himself. He was heard to go about saying, “I am Peter” or at times “I am Judas.” Later, he informed the authorities that his statement had been made under duress and in no way represented his own true convictions.
In 1973, 18 years later, his wife was released and after more than two decades in prison, in 1980, Wang, the most famous Chinese dissident of all, was released and sent this message to his prayer supporters throughout the word: “Very many thanks to all brothers and sisters in the Lord who have been praying for me. Please tell brothers and sisters all over the world that during the twenty two years in prison, I have sometimes been like Peter but never like Judas. There have been times of weakness but from 1974 I have been greatly strengthened just like I was thirty years ago.” (p 137)
Peter was transformed by the resurrection from a life of fatigue to one of force. After Jesus’ death, Peter was not leading the disciples, catching fish as a fisherman should and recognizing the Lord as John did. Note the changes in his life. Nothing worked previously for him. He was resigned to a life of helplessness and hopelessness and even heartlessness. His listlessness and pent-up emotions and frustrations were immediately thrown away when he met Jesus.
As soon as Peter heard John say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. (21:8) Peter jumped first by himself into the water. He did not care where the disciples were, how much they had caught or when they would get on shore.
Do you notice the change in Peter? Here was a man, who was never lacking things to say, presently did not have to say something, have the last word or be one-up on others. Note that Jesus said to all the disciples, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught” (v 10), but Peter by himself climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn
Peter’s emotions, exertion and energy were transformed that day. He dragged the net by himself. One Bible scholar estimated the weight of the 153 fishes was about 300 pounds, provided the fish were less than two pounds each.
Rise from a Life of Forgiveness to Fellowship
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “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.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” (John 21:15-23)
In 1942, Nazi prisoner Simon Wiesenthal walked to a dying S. S. soldier who confessed to killing a Jewish family and asked him for his forgiveness. In Wiesenthal’s 1969 book “The Sunflower,” philosophers and theologians were asked how they would have responded.
U.S. News and World Report asked Simon Wiesenthal this question: “How did you consider the soldier’s request?” Wiesenthal replied, “The man’s head was bandaged. He searched for my hand. He told me his sin. He took my hand. He said, ‘Before I die, I need a Jew to say he forgives me.’ He believed one Jew could speak for all Jews. In me there was a sad feeling. A dying man’s one last wish. I should fulfill it. He was obviously sorry and I was the last Jew in his life. I didn’t say anything. I walked out.” (US News and World Report 6/16/97)
The strange thing about Peter was that he reached the shore, but he never got closer or say a word. Here was a man who had a change of character. Peter, who was not known for being silent, invisible or dull, was dumb like a piece of wood. Notice that Jesus Himself not only made the initiative, called for the fishes and gave everyone an opportunity to act. He even prepared the fire for the cold, dripping and tired fishermen, charbroiled the fish while they were drying and extended not only forgiveness but also fellowship to them. He got up, gave bread to them and instructed them to eat (Luke 8:55).
Frustration and forgiveness were never in Jesus’ mind. For the first time, He called them, “Friends” or “Children” in Greek. He was more affectionate and compassionate than ever before. Of course, in Jesus mind, it was never about forgiveness. Forgiveness was meant for them, not Jesus. He had already forgiven them at the cross. The last word on forgiveness in the gospels was uttered by Jesus on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus had fellowship in mind. If fellowship with God is right, witnessing, serving and advancing would result. The first question in Greek was, “Simon son of John, do you love (agapao – unconditional love) me more than these?” NIV’s “truly” is exaggerated. Peter’s reply was “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo – friendly love) you.” Jesus countered, “Feed my lambs.” The first and last “feed” (bosko) literally means feeding or providing food. This is the biblical word pigs feeding (Matt 8:30, Mark 5:11, Luke 8:32) or feeding pigs (Matt 8:33, Mark 5:14, Luke 8:34, Luke 15:15).
The second question of Jesus is shortened to “Do you love me?” (“more than these” is missing) but Peter’s reply was the same standard answer before Jesus challenged him to “take care of my sheep.” “Take care” is for nurturing or tending. This word elsewhere is translated as “be shepherds” (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2,
Rev 7:17), “tend” (1 Cor 9:7), “rule” or oversee (Rev 2:27).
Peter was hurt because he was too focused on Jesus’ question but not Jesus’ reply. “Hurt” is translated elsewhere in the gospels three times as “sad” (Matt 19:22, 26:22, Mark 14:19), twice for “distressed” (Matt 14:9, 18:31) and for “grief/grieved” (Matt 17:23, John 16:20), once for “sorrowful” (Matt 26:37) and even once for the rich young ruler whose “face fell” (Mark 10:22). Peter was too emotional but not rounded. The gospel was too personal to him, but not neighborly or global enough.
Jesus’ plan was for him to be the rock for the church, the disciples and the world, not just about him and Jesus, not about embracing forgiveness but extending forgiveness, not about his wounds but about his witness, not about his mood but his ministry to others, not about his emotions but about his evangelization.
In the end, Jesus’ last question ironically ended with a less personal “phileo” and not “agapao” and with the hard work of “feeding” again. The gospel is glorious but never glamorous. It is about service, stewardship, sacrifice, selflessness and surrender.
Finally, Jesus reissued the command for Peter to follow Him because Peter’s call to service was too tied up with the band of brothers - Andrew and John. This time the call was personal, not collective. Peter’s first call to discipleship was made along with his brother Andrew (Matt 4:18-19, Mark 1:16). Presently he queried about his rival, “How about John?” At the end of his life, Peter chose to be himself. Legend has it that Peter asked to be crucified upside down, like and unlike his Savior. He felt he was unworthy to be crucified like his Master.
Conclusion: Are you trying to do God’s work by yourself - in your power, for your prominence and profit? What are the obstacles in your way to live a new life powered by God’s power? Isn’t it time you rid yourself of shame, guilt and despair and try out God’s salvation, goodness and deliverance? Do you have the heart to live and the hands to work for God?
Victor Yap
Other sermons in the series and other sermon series:
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