Title: Good News for People Living in a Bad News World Part 3: Before you throw in the towel…”
Theme: New Starts/redemption
Task: To tell people that Jesus is ready for them to try being a disciple again.
Text: John 21.1-19
[TITLE SLIDE]
A reality show debuted in 2006 called The Contender hosted by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stalone, who played Rocky in the Rocky movies. The premise for the show provided a dozen amateur boxers a shot at contending for a million dollars and a new life. All they had to do was defeat their opponents in the ring.
One night I watched an episode that featured two boxers named Alfonso and Peter. I sensed from what the hosts said that they believed Peter showed more promise than Alfonso. They liked his build, they liked his confidence, and they liked his style. He was a solid package.
Alfonso, however, although he was good, was missing something. Stalone and Leonard couldn’t quite put their finger on it but they sensed it. And therefore didn’t think he had what it took to become The Contender.
Alfonso and Peter squared off in the ring. It was an exciting bout. Early on it was all Peter. But as the rounds progressed Alfonso came on. And by the end of it Alfonso fought very well. When the final bell rang it was anybody’s match. After a few anxious minutes the judges announced the winner and gave the “W” to Alfonso.
Peter was shocked. He stood in the ring in disbelief. He was devastated and very disappointed in his performance. He left the gym that night not just a defeated boxer, but a defeated man. He had let himself down, his wife down, and his kids down. The better life they were dreaming about because dad would succeed would never come to be. As I watched him leave the gym that night I couldn’t help but wonder if he didn’t question his ability as a boxer and think about throwing in the towel.
“Throwing in the towel” is a phrase that comes from the boxing arena. When a coach wanted to stop the fight because the health and well being of the boxer was in jeopardy. Ever since then “throwing in the towel” has become a metaphor for bowing out, giving up, stopping, surrendering, and/or quitting.
Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel? How about when it comes to making a relationship work? Or what about work itself? Have you ever thought about throwing in the towel when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder or chasing whatever it is you’re chasing through your work? Have you considered throwing in the towel when it comes to trying to fit in or be liked by everyone? What about when it comes to contending for Christ and living the Christian lifestyle?
If so, you’re not alone. Before you go through with it however, I want you to know what Jesus said to Jewish heavy weight contemplating the same in John 21.1-19.
[S] “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “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.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
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.
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 and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with the fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
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. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 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. Very truly I tell you, 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (TNIV) [S]
The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
The Jewish heavy weight that threw in his towel was none other than Peter. Why do I say that? Because of a couple of observations. First, look back at the beginning of this passage and someone tell me where it takes place and what Peter is doing. The scene opens with Peter fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Peter was back in the fishing business. Peter is back to living life the way he used to live it before devoting himself to be a disciple of Jesus.
Secondly, Jesus addressed Peter as Simon bar Jonah or Simon son of John which was his pre-disciple name. It’s as if Peter no longer saw himself as a disciple.
What happened to Peter? He was disappointed and disgusted in the way he performed in the ring of the Garden of Gethsemane the night Jesus was arrested.
Jesus told Peter that the day was coming when he would deny being associated with Jesus in order to preserve his own skin. He told Peter that before the fight that night was over, that Peter would take a dive to keep from getting hurt. I think Peter was shocked and amazed at that because in John 13.37-38 he stated that he would give his life for him in a heartbeat (John 13.37-38). Like Peter on Contender, the Apostle Peter was confident that he would go the distance for Christ.
Not too long after that conversation he had an opportunity to prove himself in the ring. Jesus had been arrested at Gethsemane by the Temple Police and Roman soldiers. A brief fight ensued and then the disciples scattered. Peter stayed out of eye sight watching where Jesus was taken. After Jesus entered the courtyard of the High Priest Peter entered the courtyard inconspicuously. But, he wasn’t there very long when a young girl recognized him as a Jesus follower, a charge that he flatly denied, not just once, but three times (John 18.17-26).
After his last denial the bell sounded announcing the end of the bout. Shocked, surprised, disappointed, and ashamed he had been KO’d by a young girl he threw in the towel and went back to fishing.
But note Jesus’ response to Peter’s poor performance. Who’s waiting for Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee? Jesus. Who fills Peter’s nets with fish? Jesus. Who cooked a grand slam breakfast for Peter? Jesus. Who said, “in spite of how you feel about your past performance I want you to feed my people?” Jesus. And then the biggie, who said, “In spite of your past performance I still think you have what it takes, so follow me again?” Jesus. Though Peter had given up on himself, Jesus never threw the towel in on Peter.
Jesus wanted Peter to know that he still believed in him. Jesus wanted Peter to know that he still saw a contender. Jesus wanted Peter to know that when he looked at Peter he saw a champ and not a chump.
And God wants someone here to know that he still believes in you. Think about that. You might have thrown in the towel years ago, or are thinking about it even as I speak. If so, know that you’ll give up on yourself long before Christ ever will. To those of you who have let the towel fly or who are holding one in your hand, Jesus says to put it down and follow me.
Peter didn’t believe in himself after what he did. But Jesus did. And as a result Peter went on to become a person who made a difference in this world by making disciples of Jesus the Christ.
Sometimes all a person needs is someone to believe in them in order for them to succeed in life.
In the opening story Peter was eliminated from The Contender. But, when another contestant became sick and had to leave they asked Peter to come back and take his place. He accepted. But he wasn’t the same boxer. He was slow and half-hearted. He even said, “It’s just not here. I just don’t have it.” The camera panned to a contestant watching Peter spar who said, “Every fighter knows that you have to have someone who believes in you or you can’t do this.”
Before his next match Sugar Ray Leonard joined Peter in the locker room and told him that the keys to victory were in his heart and in his mind. He assured him that from what he had seen previously, that he had what it took stay in the fight and win. Sugar Ray believed he could do it. That’s all Peter needed to hear. Can you imagine having someone like Sugar Ray tell you that? Peter blazed through the next bout and won.
Now imagine, the Son of God telling you that you have what it takes to follow him. Knowing what Jesus thinks of you, what do you plan to do with your towel?
