THE DISCIPLE PETER - FORMER MEMORIES KINDLED – PART 4 OF 4
SERIES - THE CHARACTERS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL
John 20 v 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb, John 20:2 and so she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
I find it very comforting that Peter and John are there together. Peter had failed Jesus and John saw it being played out, but there was no rejection or ill-feeling of a hurting brother like we find in some places today when a Christian stumbles, and is treated like a mangy dog. Support for our brothers and sisters is essential and even Paul speaks of this - Gal. 6 v 1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Gal. 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Thinking you are something when you are nothing is a spiritual pride that splits churches. Have nothing to do with it.
Dear devoted Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb while it was still dark just to be near the body of her blessed Lord. She owed Him so much, and now her Lord was gone, and as far as Mary was concerned, this tragedy had taken her Lord forever from her. Horror of horrors, the tomb had been opened and someone had stolen the body of Jesus. That added tragedy to tragedy.
John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they were going to the tomb John 20:4 and the two were running together, and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first. John 20:5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. John 20:6 Simon Peter therefore also came, following him, and entered the tomb and he beheld the linen wrappings lying there, John 20:7 and the face cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. John 20:8 The other disciple who had first come to the tomb entered then also and he saw and believed, John 20:9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead.
Upon that news from Mary, Peter and John, with all haste, ran to the tomb, and John being younger, got there first. (John it is supposed was 18 or a little older). Both men looked inside and saw all the linen wrappings lovingly applied by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, but lying there with the face cloth neatly folded. They entered the tomb, saw it all and believed. BUT what did they believe in verse 8? They believed what Mary had said, not that Jesus had risen. They did not understand that the Lord must rise from the dead. It was not even on their horizon. They believed someone had taken the body.
There is a very important statement we must look at. Only Luke records it with a passing reference by Paul. Luke 24 v 32 and they (the 2 on the Emmaus Road) said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, when He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:33 They arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, Luke 24:34 saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon.” Luke 24:35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognised by them in the breaking of the bread, Luke 24:36 and while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst.
1Corinthians 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1Cor 15:5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Do you see verse 34? It is so important. It is SO very important. Not one word of detail of that one-on-One meeting with Peter is hinted at anywhere. Just the Lord and Peter, just the two of them in the closest, personal connection. I believe we will never know what transpired, but we could guess at a couple of things. Peter was broken with sorrow but the Lord was so loving and compassionate and forgiving. Peter was restored. Praise God. Peter was restored just like any of us can be in failure. That must have happened very early on Sunday morning, and the Emmaus incident was late that afternoon.
Now we come to the last episode of Simon Peter that John has recorded for us. We are going to read chapter 21 verses 1-21 and them make some comments.
John 21:1 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way. John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples. John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing, John 21:4 but when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. John 21:5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” John 21:6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” They cast therefore, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. John 21:7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord,” and so when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea, John 21:8 but the other disciples came in the little boat for they were not far from the land, about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.
John 21:9 When they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid with fish placed on it, and bread. John 21:10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.” John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three, and although there were so many, the net was not torn. John 21:12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. John 21:13 Jesus came and took the bread, and gave (it to) them, and the fish likewise. John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.
John 21:15 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, “Tend My lambs.” John 21:16 He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.” John 21:17 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 all things. You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 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 21:20 Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” John 21:21 Peter therefore seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?”
This episode deals with one more appearance of Jesus to His disciples, seven of them, by the Sea of Tiberius. The disciples went fishing. As far as I can see the only fishermen among them were Peter, James and John but the group went fishing. That was in the afternoon and all the night had passed with no results. What a lot of effort that was with the nets, throwing out, pulling in and repeating it over and over. Verse 4 begins the change for where Jesus takes control there are always positive results.
Jesus was not recognised by the men in the two boats but there must have been the ring of authority in the Lord’s voice because his command/suggestion was obeyed. In verses 6 and 7, the results spoke of something extraordinary, and Peter quickly realised it was Jesus Himself on the shore guiding them. Peter threw himself into the sea, the reason being, he wanted to get straight to his Lord. It was not that he was ashamed or anything like it. His devotion impelled him onwards for about 100 yards/90 metres.
Eventually all the fish were on land, 153 of them, described as a “so many” and they were large fish. Nothing is small when Jesus is in control. Everything is abundant. We may not see that here on earth but in our spiritual lives there can be an abundance, even the abundance of 153 fish.
Verse 9 is quite interesting. Jesus was the host and had set up the charcoal fire and prepared the fish and the bread. Maybe this was done miraculously or maybe He did it with physical labour. In either case it was the Lord’s preparation and nothing could be better. Verse 10 may seem odd in the context. Jesus called for some of the fish they had netted even though He had fish on the charcoal fire already. Why did He want the fish?
From verses 12-14, they had breakfast. Don’t you find it interesting that the same hands that took bread at the Last Supper and gave to His disciples just a short time ago were the same hands that took bread now and gave it to His disciples? The first occasion was the bread of sorrow. This time it is the bread of joy and communion. This is the third time he appeared to his disciples and two of those occasions involved His hands (the appearance with Thomas was the other). If you like exploring themes like that then recall the two on the Emmaus Road who suddenly recognised Jesus when His hands took bread that evening after their journey of beautiful bible study. Of course, there is a question you want to ask, but I don’t know the answer. Did Jesus eat as well with the disciples?
After that you have the very personal exchange with Peter and it made Peter sad. As this whole series is about Peter as one of the characters of John’s gospel, then this is where our focus will be today. Let us turn to verse 15 to begin. John 21 v 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, “Tend My lambs.” There are many parts to this verse. Firstly, Jesus used the term He first used when He called Peter to be a disciple. “Simon, son of John”. Whatever this exchange will de about, it will have a bearing on discipleship, and in particular, Peter’s part in that. The question was a simple one, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” but what are the “these”? There has been much speculation where some say that it is a comparison with the disciples. “Peter, do you love me more than these disciples love Me?” In John 13 v 37, Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” The question conveys a gentle rebuke for his former extravagant professions that isolated his companions.
I find it abhorrent that the Lord would ask that of the disciples who loved Him, but a number of commentators hold to that. So, what are the “these”? Did the Lord mean “more than all these things you are used to in your life as a fisherman”? I don’t think so. Maybe He meant “more than these fish you love to catch.” Remember Jesus called for some fish to be brought to Him even though He had fish on the fire? Perhaps the fish were resting by His feet and Jesus referred to them. I am not sure. Some hold to another view – “Simon, do you love Me more than you love your friends here? That is, does Simon love the Lord more than he loves his friends James and John, or more than he loves his brother, Andrew? We will never know exactly what the context of it was, but let us move on.
You may have heard this before but the twist in this question is the word Jesus used for love. Jesus asked if Simon loved Him. The word Jesus used is ??ap?? (agapas) meaning a deep love like God so loved the world. Peter replied with the word f??? (philo) which means a love as a friendship love, not as strong as the first word. In verse 16, Jesus asked Simon again if he loved Him. The same two words were used. Then in verse 17 Jesus asked the question again but used Peter’s word which was the weaker word for love. Simon responded with f??? which was the word the Lord used the third time.
We are told in 17 that Peter was grieved this time, and was that because the Lord dropped to Simon’s lesser word for love, or was it because it was asked three times, and it was three times that Peter denied the Lord. Peter added in verse 17, “Lord, You know all things”. He let it rest there. The Expositor’s Greek Testament made this thoughtful comment – “But to him who had uttered a threefold denial, opportunity is given of a threefold confession, although Peter at first resented the reiterated inquiry: ???p??? … He was grieved because doubt was implied, and he knew he had given cause for doubt. His reply is therefore more earnest than before, ????e … f??? se. He is so conscious of deep and abiding love that he can appeal to the Lord’s omniscience.” Jesus gave three commands to Peter – “Tend My lambs. Shepherd My sheep. Tend My lambs”. One has said - No one can be qualified to feed the sheep and lambs of Christ, who does not love the good Shepherd more than any earthly advantage or object. It is the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?
There is big study in those three commands, but all I will say is that to Peter was given the office to care for the Church, in the early stages and to work towards its welfare. The new converts were lambs, those who needed nurture, teaching and development. The established sheep needed apostolic care as well. The Greek words for “sheep/little sheep” are so close and we don’t know exactly which terms fit the commands. I really like The Pulpit Commentary here - There is distinct progress in the ideas:
(1) "Feed my lambs;"
(2) "Rule (shepherd) my sheep;"
(3) "Feed my little sheep."
First, let Peter, let the apostolic company, let any one of the successors of the apostles, learn the delicate duty of supplying the just and appropriate nourishment to those that are young in years or in graces; then let him also learn to guide, direct, protect from outward foes, the mature disciples, and preserve the discipline of the flock, seeking the lost sheep until it be found; and he will find that then a third duty emerges. The sheep that are young in heart, the old men that are childlike in spirit, the trembling sheep that need even more care than the lambs themselves, are specially thrown upon the shepherd's care.
We are almost ended. Then we have - John 21 v 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 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!”
It was a martyr’s death that would encounter Peter. I said in a previous message this probably had nothing to do with crucifixion, a fable of the RC church. We do not know how Peter died, but I feel so sure he was never in Rome. The final command to Simon Peter was – “Follow me”, and he did that marvellously with no slip, but with such a devoted love for his Lord and Saviour.
Verse 20 seems to indicate that just for then Peter (and the rest) did not know who the betrayer was or is. Peter wanted to know what the future for John would be, but the Lord did not reveal it. There is one final thought from Bishop Ellicott - By the side of the lake after casting his net into the sea, Peter had first been called to be a fisher of men (Matthew 4 v 19). That lake, the very spot on the shore, the nets, the boat, would bring back to his mind in all their fullness the thoughts of that first day which had been the turning-point of his life. By the side of the “charcoal fire” - In John 18 v 18, the only other place where the word occurs - he had denied his Lord. As the eye rests upon the “charcoal fire” before him, and he is conscious of the presence of the Lord, who knows all things (John 21 v 17), burning thoughts of penitence and shame may have come to his mind, and these may have been the true preparation for the words which follow.” “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.”
THIS ENDS PART 4 OF 4.
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