Following Or Falling In The Footsteps Of Jesus
(This message was preached the first Sunday following a two week tour of Israel in October of 2001. Along with the message a PowerPoint presentation interspersed with pictures of locations referred to in the message was used. For information on the PowerPoint presentation please email the author.)
Text: John 21:1-16 and various
John 21
"Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas,…Nathanael, James and John… and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”
“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach, but they couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Friends, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!” So they did, and they couldn’t draw in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and swam ashore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only out about three hundred feet. When they got there, they saw that a charcoal fire was burning and fish were frying over it, and there was bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. And no one dared ask him if he really was the Lord because they were sure of it. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me…”
Introduction:
It started out on the shores of Galilee. He was a business man and a hard worker. He typically worked the night shift as all fishermen did. It was while he was cleaning his nets following a night of fishing that he first heard the call…
“Follow Me”
The Lord had performed a miracle in Peter’s life and as a result Peter had given his life to Jesus. That’s when Jesus asked Peter to “Follow Me”.
It wasn’t an easy decision, it never is – Peter had just seen the greatest business success of his lifetime, and how he was being asked to leave it all behind and follow Jesus – who knows where, to focus on people (something Peter did not do very well) instead of fish.
“Follow Me.”
[He made Jesus a part of his personal life]
Mark tells us that the first thing Peter did was take Jesus home!
(Mark 1:21,29-31)“Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum, and every Sabbath day he went into the synagogue and taught the people.. After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they went over to Simon and Andrew’s home, and James and John were with them. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. He went to her bedside, and as he took her by the hand and helped her to sit up, the fever suddenly left…”
Mark chapter five tells us that not only was Peter’s mother-in-law healed, but the leader of the synagogue, Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead while they stayed in Capernaum. Many were healed of disease while others were freed from the demons that possessed them as Jesus sat in that very sunagogue.
[He took his call from God seriously]
Peter took the call of Jesus seriously. He willingly left everything behind to follow the Lord. Peter shared in Mark ten, “We’ve given up everything to follow you,”
[He stood up for who Jesus really was]
Peter was with Jesus when they were asked who they really thought Jesus was…Many others misunderstood Jesus and assumed He was just another prophet or rabbi, but Peter’s bold proclamation was” “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29)
It was Peter, along with James and John, who walked up the steep slope of Mt. Tabor and stood as Jesus was transfigured before them and they say Him in all of His glory
(Mark 9:2-4)As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance changed, and his clothing became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly process could ever make it. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.
Later Peter had proclaimed to the Lord, “I am ready to die for you.”
[In spite of his experiences and commitment, he still stumbled.]
Yet it was Peter who failed when the real test of devotion came.
He had watched (and slept) as Jesus struggled in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, overlooking Jerusalem.
He had watched as the Roman soldiers and Temple guards, led by Judas Iscariot, came and took Jesus from them; led him to be falsely accused then crucified.
Peter had stood fearfully by a fire, trying not to be recognized.
Then when challenged, Peter had three times denied he even knew who Jesus was – to the point of swearing. Peter heard the rooster crow and remembered the words Jesus had said; “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times.” He left the palace courtyard weeping. He walked away totally humiliated and ashamed; realizing that he had denied his Lord and Savior.
It was now fifteen days later.
The crucifixion had taken place, Jesus had died on the cross. He had been buried in a borrowed tomb next to the site. And three days later he had risen from the dead.
Peter and John had been the first to enter the empty tomb.
Jesus had appeared to the eleven disciples the following Sunday in the Upper Room and then told them to meet Him on the shores of Galilee.
Once there discouragement had again set in. In spite of all Peter had experienced, in spite of his commitment to Christ, Peter had failed the Lord when it really mattered. He had decided to return to his old job as a fisherman.
For at least two weeks Peter’s heart had been broken and his spirit crushed by his failures. I’m sure his greatest fear was he was no longer of any use to Jesus.
Even though he had left everything to follow Jesus
Even though he had made Jesus an intimate part of his home
Even though he had proclaimed that Jesus was sent from God
Even though he had enjoyed the mountain top experiences with Jesus
In stead of following Jesus – he had failed Him.
Would he ever be of use to God again?
That’s why Jesus took Peter aside that morning on the shore of Galilee. After the meal had been eaten…Jesus and Peter went for a walk.
Then Jesus asked Peter,
“Do you love me more than the other disciples (as you had boasted before my death)?”
“Do you really care about me?”
“Do you really care?
Peter’s response each time was unsure. “Lord, you know I’m fond of you, you know I care…”
Peter could not bring himself to fully commitment because he knew he had failed.
Jesus’ words to Peter were right to the point: In spite of your failures I can still use you. Peter you can still be used by God.
Jesus asks Peter to feed and care for His sheep (His people). In other words, Peter, if you love me I can still use you to touch others.
Peter you can feed my people, I want you to do everything necessary to make sure my people are cared for.
But it’s the final challenge Jesus gives Peter on the shore that morning that grips my heart, notice John 21: 19:
“Then Jesus told him, Follow Me.”
That’s how it all began! Way back at the beginning, just up the shore from where they stood that morning Jesus had called Peter with those same words, “Follow Me.”
In spite of Peter’s stumblings and failures Jesus still wanted to use Peter in great ways.
Conclusion:
And it’s no different this morning for you and me.
You see God’s love and ultimately His call for your life and mine does not depend on our performance – it depends entirely on God’s love.
Jesus chose us because He loved us and wants to work in and through us in spite of our failures.
Philippians 1:6 And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
The first, last and continuing call of Jesus is simply, “Follow Me.”
Listen to Peter’s own words almost 60 years after his walk on the beach with Jesus…
1 Peter 1:2-6 “God the Father chose you long ago (Follow Me!), and the Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Jesus Christ and are cleansed by his blood. May you have more and more of God’s special favor and wonderful peace. 3All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead…5And God, in his mighty power, will protect you until you receive this salvation, because you are trusting him…6So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while…
(2:21) This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps.”
“Follow Me”
“Follow in His Steps”.
You sit here this morning in one of several conditions.
(1)You may never have accepted the call in the first place…Salvation
(2)You may have heard and followed – but found yourself stumbling – and now you are discouraged and wondering if Jesus will ever be able to use you again…Jesus wants to hear from you – that you really do love him and will still allow Him to work through you.
(3)You may be here this morning and have heard the call, remain committed to the call – then I challenge you to recommit as well this morning to simply walk in His steps.
How will you know? How will you know if you are following and not failing?
1)Like Peter you will be willing to leave everything behind to pursue God’s will for your life
2)Like Peter you will bring Jesus into your everyday world
3)Like Peter you will continually proclaim to those around you who Jesus is – you will stand up for who He is!
4)And like Peter, though, you may stumble and fail, at those times you will simply listen to the words of Jesus – Follow Me.
