Coming to Terms with Your Calling
Reading: John chapter 21 verses 1-17.
Ill:
• The year was 1920.
• The scene was the examining board for selecting missionaries.
• Standing before the board was a young man named Oswald Smith.
• One dream dominated his heart. He wanted to be a missionary.
• Over and over again, he prayed,
• “Lord, I want to go as a missionary for you. Open a door of service for me.”
• Now, at last, his prayer would be answered.
• When the examination was over, the board turned Oswald Smith down.
• He did not meet their qualifications. He failed the test.
• Oswald Smith had set his direction, but now life gave him a detour.
• What would he do?
• As Oswald Smith prayed, God planted another idea in his heart.
• If he could not go as a missionary,
• He would build a church which could send out missionaries.
• And that is what he did.
• Oswald Smith Pastored The People’s Church in Toronto, Canada,
• Which at that time sent out more missionaries than any other church.
• Oswald Smith brought God into the situation,
• And God transformed his detour into a main thoroughfare of service.
As we start to look at the final chapter in John’s gospel:
• Peter has taken a detour.
• That the last few days had been an emotional roller coaster for Peter.
• In the last week, he had gone from the giddy heights of Palm Sunday.
• Where he half-expected Jesus to be crowned king & maybe set up his kingdom.
• To the utter depths of despair on Good Friday.
• And then swept up to a mega high again, with the news of the resurrection.
• Now Peter has gone home;
• Back to the ‘familiar’ shores of Galilee (also known as the Sea of Tiberias and Lake Genesaret).
Peter and the others had gone back home:
• Note: You realise that Jesus and the disciples were northerners don’t you?
• Like Peter they all had a strong accent;
• (ill: And probably liked mushy peas and brown sauce or the Israeli equivalent).
• There was one southerner among the twelve - Judas,
• But it’s probably best not to mention him!
Question:
• You might be wondering what are they doing in Galilee?
• Shouldn’t they have remained in Jerusalem, and that’s down in the South?
Answer: No! They should not be in Jerusalem.
• Twice in Matthew chapter 28 they were told to go Galilee:
• First: by an angel (Matthew chapter 28 verses 7).
• Second: by Jesus himself (Matthew chapter 28 verses 10).
• Who told them to go to Galilee, and he said he would meet them there.
Notice that no specifics are given as to exactly where in Galilee:
• So the disciples go home, back to families, friends and comforting surroundings;
• Back also to the place where they first met the Lord.
• I wonder if that’s what the Lord had in mind,
• He would once again remind them of their true calling?
(1). A Night of Defeat (vs 1-3).
• Peter’s decision to go fishing was not a good one.
• In Luke chapter 5 verses 1-11 Jesus had called him to leave fishing & follow him.
• Peter in these verses is returning to the old life he had before he met with Jesus;
• Notice everything in this scene speaks of defeat.
Ill:
FIRST:
• It was dark – “It was night time” (vs 3)
• Is this a picture that Peter was no longer walking in the light?
• ill; Chapter 3:2 - John tells us that Nicodemus came “at night”;
• A picture of him being in spiritual darkness.
• ill; Chapter 13:30 - When Judas went out to betray Jesus we are told “It was night”.
• Once again a picture - his actions were evil – he was walking in darkness.
• For Peter he was working in the dark (vs 3)
• I can’t help but feel this is a picture of his spiritual condition.
SECOND:
• They had no direct word from the Lord.
• Instead of waiting and praying and fasting and seeking God.
• Peter decides to “Lean on his own understanding”,
• He decides to go fishing.
• His impatience distracted him into unproductive activities;
• Had he waited – his wise use of time & energy would have yielded a much better return
THIRD:
• Their fishing expedition ends in utter failure;
• Verse 3: “That night they caught nothing”.
• All night long they fished
• And they caught nothing!
• How frustrated Peter and the disciples must have felt;
• When time after time they lowered their nets and they pulled them up empty.
• Once again it is a great picture of someone outside of God’s will;
• In John chapter 15 Jesus had said “Without me you can do nothing!”
• And here in this chapter we have Peter acting independent of Jesus;
• And all his efforts are in vain – worked hard all night to catch nothing!
FOURTH:
• Indication that Peter and the others were outside of the will of God is that;
• He and the other s did not recognise Jesus when he appeared.
• Verse 4:
• “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.”
• Is this a sign that their spiritual vision was dim;
• Notice Peter lead six other disciples astray – they followed him fishing.
• Quote: “No-one sins in a vacuum”
• Sadly the other disciples had eyes focused on Peter and not on the Lord!
(2). A Morning of Decision (vs 4-17):
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6He 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.
• At first light Jesus stood on the shore;
• No more darkness only light;
• And in more ways than one – that light is beginning to shine on Peter.
• Jesus calls out to them.
• At first the disciples did not recognise him - they saw him as a stranger on the shore.
• Note: There are a number of examples where the resurrected Jesus appeared to people;
• But was not recognised; e.g. Luke chapter 24 verse 15 on the road to Emmaus.
• The disciples did not recognise Jesus;
• It was probably that they were kept from recognising him.
Verse 5a: Jesus stands on the beach and calls out to them:
• “Friends” literally “Little children”,
• Colloquial to us like saying to a group of men; “Okay lads? How are you doing boys?”
Now in the Greek langue (i.e. New Testament):
• You can ask a question expecting a negative answer.
• Jesus already knew that they had caught nothing.
• So his question lets the disciples know,
• That he knows that they have caught nothing.
• So in verse 5: these embarrassed, unsuccessful fishermen admit their failure.
• Their reply was brief - they say “No”.
Notice
• In verse 6 the change in attitude and results;
• When they obey the command of Jesus:
• After just a few minutes fishing with Jesus;
• They pull up their net and it is brimming with fish,
• And according to verse 11 each one is a whopper “Large fish”.
Principle to note:
• A few minutes with Jesus in control;
• Will accomplish more than a whole night of carnal efforts!
Note:
• There are a number of mini-miracles in this passage:
• (That is if you can have a mini-miracle! ill: Like saying you can be a little bit pregnant!)
• (1st): In verse 11: Peter is given miraculous strength to pull in the net;
• Verses 6: tells us that seven men were unable to do this.
• (2nd): The fact that the net did not breaking is also unusual and perhaps miraculous.
• Jesus takes something ordinary and does something extraordinary with it.
• (3rd): The fire of coals and the cooked breakfast of fish;
• Were almost certainly miraculous.
Notice: Everything that happens in this passage is meant to be ‘de-jar-vue’ for Peter:
• (1st): In verse 6: The amazing miracle of catching fish;
• Was meant to remind Peter of his first encounter with Jesus (Luke 5);
• When almost the exact same thing happened.
• (2nd:): In verse 9 the fire of burning coals:
• Was to remind Peter of his denial around another fire in High Priest’s court (John 18:18)
• (3rd:): The location – the sea of Galilee was to remind him of so many past experiences;
• e.g. Feeding the crowd of over 5,000 people.
• e.g. Catching a single fish and finding in the fishes mouth enough money to pay his tax.
• e.g. Jesus standing up and stilling a raging storm with just a simple command
(3). A Day of Dedication (vs 18-25).
• Notice in verse 13;
• There is such a nice touch in this verse that the casual reader can easily overlook:
• Before Jesus met Simon Peter’s spiritual needs,
• He would take care of his physical needs.
• e.g. Peter had the opportunity to dry off,
• e.g. Peter had the opportunity to get warm,
• e.g. Peter had the opportunity to satisfy his hunger.
• e.g. Peter had the opportunity to enjoy some personnel friendship with Jesus.
Quote: Warren Wiersbe:
“There is a vast difference between sonship (being saved);
And discipleship (following the Lord).
Not all Christians are disciples.
When Peter sinned he did not lose his sonship;
But he did fall away from his discipleship.
For this reason Christ repeated his call; ‘Follow me’”
Note:
• Jesus recommissions Peter by way of a simple but heart-piercing question:
• And Jesus would ask Peter this same question thee times (vs 15-17).
15When 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.”
16Again 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.”
17The 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.
• 3 times Peter had denied the Lord publicly,
• And Jesus gives him 3 opportunities to confess him publicly.
Notice how Jesus refers to Peter:
• The apostle John, the writer of this passage;
• Calls him “Simon Peter”,
• But in contrast Jesus doesn’t mention his new name Peter,
• But deliberately uses his old name “Simon, son of John”.
• With the name Simon, Jesus takes Simon Peter way back
• To the very start of their relationship.
• The key issue in question is Peter’s love for Jesus.
Question 1:
• The first question Jesus asks is: “Do you love Me more than these?”
• The word “these” isn’t identified;
Two possibilities as to what the Lord meant:
(1).
• It could mean more than “these fish, these boats and nets,”
• Referring to his occupation and his first love - fishing.
(2). It could mean “these men,” referring to the disciples.
• I think Jesus is referring Peter back;
• To his statement in Matthew chapter 26 verse 33:
• When he boasted and said:
• “Even if all the other disciples fall away on account of you, I never will.”
• So Jesus asks him;
• “Do you still claim to have a deeper love for me than these others”.
Answer 1:
• The Greek word for “love” here is ‘agapao’, the highest form of love.
• That is the word that Jesus uses to Peter.
• Notice: Peter affirms this type of love in verses 15 & 16;
• By twice saying “Yes Lord!”
• Simon is no longer the boaster, the self confident man he used to be,
• And he humbly answers Jesus by using another word.
• Simon Peter uses the Greek word “phileo”,
• The word for deep friendship:
• Simon Peter says; “You know I’m fond of You; we’re friends.”
• Simon Peter’s use of word, did not mean that he did not love Jesus fully,
• “Phileo” was a good word to use.
• Peter’s choice of words simply show;
• That from now on, he is wiser and more humble with his choice of words.
• Now: in response to his answer;
• Jesus gives Simon Peter a commission: “Tend My lambs.”
Question 2:
• Notice: in repeating the question, Jesus sensitively drops the phrase;
• “More than these.”
• This takes the pressure off,
• It allows Peter to search his heart to see where the Lord really fits in his life.
• Through his mind the words of Jesus roam,
• “Am I ready to now be totally devoted to Jesus?”
Answer 2:
• Simon Peter says; “You know I’m fond of You; we’re friends.”
• Again “phileo”, is the Greek word used:
• And once again;
• His reply draws a commission from Jesus: “Shepherd My sheep.”
Question 3:
• Jesus seems to say to Peter, “If you like that word so much let me use it”:
• So Jesus says: “Simon, are you fond of Me?”
Answer 3:
• Peter is grieved; yet he is honest about where the relationship is:
• “You know that I am fond of You . . . You know that I have a flawed love.”
• And so for a third time;
• Jesus commissions Peter: “Feed my sheep”.
Note: 3 Question and 3 answers:
• The first question Jesus asked;
• Challenged the superiority of Peter’s love for Jesus over his friends.
• The second question examined the reality of it.
• The final question confronted Peter’s claim to have an affectionate love for Christ.
Throughout this dramatic and personal moment:
• Christ’s commission remains consistent:
• “I want you to do something for me”.
• Jesus lets Peter and the other disciples know;
• That he has not given up on Simon Peter, he has not haven’t put him on the shelf.
• In three responses from Peter the memory of his denials are wiped away,
• ‘The slate is wiped clean’.
• 3 times Peter is commissioned by Jesus,
• Obliterating his three denials - the restoration is complete.
Ill:
• A number of years ago,
• An angry man rushed through the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam;
• When he reached Rembrandt’s famous painting ‘Nightwatch.’
• He took out a knife and slashed it repeatedly before he could be stopped.
• A short time later, a distraught, hostile man
• Slipped into St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome ,
• He pulled out a hammer which he had smuggled in;
• And with the hammer he began to smash Michelangelo’s beautiful sculpture ‘The Pieta’.
• Two cherished works of art were severely damaged.
• But what did officials do?
• Throw them out and forget about them?
• Absolutely not!
• Using the best experts, who worked with the utmost care and precision,
• They made every effort to restore the treasures.
• By His sovereign grace,
• God the master restorer can bring good out of our failures – for his glory!
