John's Epilogue
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I think we all have those times where we simply need a break or to reset. Pressures of work, family needs, exciting times, and even failures all can seem to pile on
the disciples weren’t much different
today we come to the final chapter in John’s gospel. In the timeline of history and perceiving what can be gleaned from the text, the disciples have had a whirlwind couple of weeks
Joy:
Triumphal entry
Intimate final evening - foot washing, teaching, meal
Despair:
Betrayal/Arrest
Trial
Crucifixion/Death
Exhilaration:
resurrection
Confirmation:
Appearance on Sunday night
Appearance a week later
now what - what’s next. Jesus had sent them (John 21:21) - but how, where, when, who would lead
Mark’s Gospel tells us that that John asked them to go to Galilee (Mark. 16:7).
In John 21, is a sort of epilogue to the entire book. The climax of the resurrection has happened. The two appearances of Jesus assuage any doubters and John has once again called his readers/listeners to belief (John 20:31).
This epilogue does several things to wrap up the gospel, but primarily there are three principles I want to focus on today:
The blessing of working Jesus way
The beauty of restoration
The individuality of ministry assignments.
So let’s begin by considering the first principle...
The Blessing of Working Jesus’ Way (1-14)
The Blessing of Working Jesus’ Way (1-14)
So, we find the disciples in Galilee. Peter decides to go fishing and 6 others follow. Some people want to give them a hard time about going fishing. It may have been that they were early or had a bit of down time before they knew they were going to meet Jesus. It could be they were returning to what they knew. It could be that a guy like Peter, who had a family to care for (he is the only one that we know is married), needed to provide for his family - which is an honorable, noble, and responsible task.
And yet, they experienced a few years earlier - their night of fishing was fruitless.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Imagine for a moment being where they are. The emotional “rollercoaster” of the previous two weeks. The last three years of ministry on the road. The unknowns of the future - after all, Jesus has hinted that he is going back to the father. Everything is in turmoil.
So you go back for a few minutes to the one thing you knew so well - fishing. Maybe for you it’s
hunting,
a video game,
a book ,
a movie,
a craft or hobby, or even
losing yourself in work.
We may feel like we need space to catch our breath - and we do - I think that’s ideally what a Sabbath is for. As we go back to the “familiar” we may, like the disciples, find that it’s fruitless -
the deer are nowhere to be found,
the game is mired in useless ads and you can’t get past that level no matter how hard you try,
the book and movie feel tired and repetitive
the craft project is not coming together the way you hoped it would, and
work just doesn’t have the same fulfillment it did before.
None of our attempts produce the outcome we hoped for or expected. The emotional satisfaction or the rejuvenation that we desired is absent and the spiritual perspective we longed for is more foggy than ever.
John continues...
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
They quickly learn that this catch is abundant, producing 153 large fish (v. 11) and realize that this shore-bound fishing consultant was none other than Jesus.
Once they make it ashore, Jesus invites them to bring some of their catch and join him for breakfast.
But I want us to think about this principle or idea for a moment. Peter and the disciples were not looking for solutions. It seems they weren’t seeking God’s guidance - Jesus simply broke through and interrupted their fruitless work.
Once Jesus got their attention, they obeyed, and everything changed.
I wonder, though, how often are we like that? How often do we toil and worry our way - never really giving God the time of day or a whisper of a prayer.
And then God interrupts our efforts.
He might interrupt using a tragedy, or sickness, or accident. He might even simply interrupt us by getting our attention - by less drastic means. It may be that still small voice of the Spirit. It may be something said by a friend.
The point is - when he interrupts - how will we respond? Will we obey his word like the disciples did or will ignore him - thinking we know best.
I wish I could tell you exactly what to do. Your situation is different than mine. Our circumstances are different than the disciples. What is the same is our God who is working for our good. He is working for our flourishing.
Obedience may be as simple as casting a net on the other side. It may be more challenging or complicated. In the very least, obedience looks like fellowship.
John 21:12 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
Oh that we would spend time with Jesus in His word. Oh that we would feast with Him in prayer and worship.
Friend, if you are far from Jesus, if you’re just checking him out - come and fellowship with him. Join him in sweet communion. John has been calling you to believe. Belief/faith is the table upon which this meal with Jesus is set. Religious activity is as fruitless as the disciples’ fishing expedition. Enter in by faith, obey his call to repent and believe.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
So, we can learn from the disciples encounter here that there is blessing in working Jesus’ way. The second thing we can learn from this encounter is...
The Beauty of Restoration (15-17)
The Beauty of Restoration (15-17)
If you remember, just a couple of weeks earlier, on the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter was warming himself around a fire in the courtyard of the high priest.
The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
Peter ended up denying Jesus - not once, not twice, but three times.
It must have been a cold night, because John brings up Peter “warming himself” again as he reveals Peter’s second and third denials of Jesus.
So here, a couple of weeks later, on the shore of Galilee, we find another charcoal fire (John 21:9). Instead of being tended by servants, we find it tended by our Savior.
After Jesus and the disciples finished eating, Jesus singles out Peter.
John 21:15 (ESV)
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
It is interesting that Jesus doesn’t refer to him as Peter or as Simon Peter. Peter was a name that Jesus gave him - a name that means rock. Several commentators noted that Peter failed to live up to that name. He is not the rock of devotion that he thought he would be just a few weeks earlier when he said:
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
But Jesus asks him, Simon, son of John - do you love me more than these?
What could “these” be? Maybe it’s the other disciples or simply the few other disciples who are present, maybe it’s fishing, maybe it’s the cares of this world. We don’t really know and can’t know this side of heaven. But Jesus is asking if He is Peter’s chief love.
John 21:15 (ESV)
He [Peter] said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Just as Peter denied Jesus three times, so Jesus asks this same basic question a total of three times.
He said to him 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, “Tend my sheep.” 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
____
Now, a lot has been made about the Greek words that Jesus and Peter used.
Jesus initially asked if Peter loved him - using the word - agape - unconditional or selfless love.
To which Peter replied, yes I love you - using the word - phileo - brotherly or familial love.
On the third time, Jesus used the word “phileo”.
Some people, myself included, have tried to make a lot of the differences in the levels of devotion between the two words.
While there are some variations in the range of meaning between the two words - agape and phileo - but they were also often used interchangeably. What’s more is that Jesus and Peter would have been talking in Aramaic or a dialect of Hebrew - which doesn’t necessarily have the same options for words like love.
We also see this in Jesus’ responses - as he varies between feed/tend and sheep/lambs. Most commentators think that John was just using a bit of literary variety in using these different words.
_____
But, setting aside the linguistic discussions, what is the point?
Jesus restores Peter. Here around this charcoal fire, Jesus seems to ask for Peter’s devotion and then gives him an assignment three separate times - one for each of the denials.
Did Jesus have to do it that way? I don’t think so. He could have said it once and that would have been enough for Him, but I think Peter needed it. Peter needed to know that Jesus had not cancelled him.
You see...
Jesus was intentional about restoring Peter.
Jesus was intentional about restoring Peter.
Jesus made a point to communicate to Peter that He had not given up on him. Peter had not been cancelled. He specifically worked to restore Peter.
How often in our lives or in our church are we quick to cancel and slow to restore? Maybe we’ve not intentionally cancelled people, but we’ve been incidental in restoration. Maybe someone is coming to your mind - I know I have a few on my mind. Some who’ve drifted away. Some who have fallen into sin or vices. Some who’ve not been able to overcome the fear of COVID.
What are we individually and collectively doing to restore those Peter’s in our midst?
Let’s think briefly about our salvation. Jesus was intentional. He intentionally left the glories of heaven, took on human flesh, lived like us, and then allowed himself to be betrayed and killed for our sake - only to rise three days later in victory. Jesus intentionally came to restore the fellowship that was broken by sin.
In addition to being intentional about restoring Peter,
Jesus was personal in Peter’s restoration.
Jesus was personal in Peter’s restoration.
So far in John’s gospel, we’ve seen three times when Jesus appeared before his disciples. Peter was present each of those times. Instead of simply looking over the failure of the past, Jesus got personal with Peter and helped him see that Peter had a specific role to play. That Peter was important to Jesus’ plan.
We could easily send out bulk emails and posts on social media issuing a general invitation to those who’ve drifted away and to those who are far away from God, but I think Jesus’ example here is a good encouragement to us - to be personal. Send a text, write a note, pick up the phone and call, stop by. Get personal about restoration.
For those who are church members, we’ve covenanted very specifically in this way:
We further agree to never forsake the assembling of ourselves together, to watch over one another in brotherly love; to faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require, to remember each other in prayer, to nurture and encourage those who at any time come under our care, to aid each other in sickness and distress, to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling, and courtesy in speech, to be slow to take offense but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
How are we doing with that?
In Salvation - Jesus is personal with your salvation. This is a call that the Holy Spirit prompts you to respond to. Your parents can and should train you, but they can’t get saved for you. Jesus calls you personally, by his word, by his spirit. Will you respond?
Jesus was intentional and personal in restoring Peter. Finally, we see that...
Jesus was thorough in Peter’s restoration.
Jesus was thorough in Peter’s restoration.
Jesus seemed to address Peter’s betrayal - point by point. Three times Peter denied, three times Jesus asked for Peter’s devotion, three times Peter confirmed his devotion, three times Jesus affirmed an important role for him.
One of the things that can happen is that when we leave restoration incomplete - we leave room from drama.
Michael Crawford - the current Executive Director of the BCMD has said that:
Drama is an open, unrepentant commitment to dysfunctional relationships!
I think that if Jesus had left Peter’s restoration to one statement or one question, then Peter might have always questioned his worth and value, but Jesus was complete - he left no room for the drama of insecurity. He left no room for the drama of self-loathing. He left no room for the drama of doubt.
Neither should we.
In the work that Jesus did on the cross - he thoroughly fulfilled all that was required for you and me to be in a relationship with God. He thoroughly paid for the debt of our sin. He thoroughly restored all that our sinful nature and wilfully rebellion broke. He did it. All that is left for us to do is to receive his free gift of eternal life - to believe and then to walk in devotion with him.
He left no room for the drama of letting you wonder if...
you’ve done enough - he did it all.
you’re loved - you are!
you’re sins are covered - they are!
Beyond the cross, inside the body of Christ, I want to encourage us, restoring a brother or sister needs to be intentional and personal, but it also needs to be thorough. One meeting or text may not accomplish all that needs to be restored. It may take time to encourage, pray, talk, pray, invite, pray, reassure, and pray.
Let us repent of where we’ve played in the part the drama of division and work toward thoroughly restoring one another to proper fellowship with Christ and His church.
So far, we’ve seen in John’s epilogue the blessing of working Jesus way and the beauty of restoration. Finally, we observe...
The Individuality of Assignments (18-23)
The Individuality of Assignments (18-23)
After restoring Peter, Jesus begins to tell him some of the challenges that are before him.
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
It seems that Peter would have some time for ministry but would die a difficult death - likely crucifixion.
I’m sure this was a bit disconcerting to Peter. In fact, as he and Jesus begin walking, Peter notices that John is following them...
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
Jesus had given Peter the ministry of shepherding - to feed and tend Jesus’ sheep.
John had been given a different ministry and Peter needed to respect that.
Bruce Milne summarized it well this way:
Peter would be the shepherd, John the seer; Peter the preacher, John the penman; Peter the foundational witness, John the faithful writer; Peter would die in the agony and passion of martyrdom, John would live on to great age and pass away in quite serenity.
As it pertains to us, it can be easy to look at some areas of the Christian life and feel a sense of jealousy or even covetousness when we compare ourselves to others.
circumstances
suffering
calling
strengths
weaknesses
gifts
As Jesus communicates communicates to Peter - the important element is that we follow him. Follow him in the times of blessing and bounty. Follow him in times of trial. Follow him through sickness. Follow him through success. Follow him until he returns and we get to be with him for eternity!
Closing thoughts
where do we need to repent of working our way rather than Jesus way?
who do we need to be intentional, personal, and thorough in restoring?
where do we need to put the blinders on and follow Jesus
have you respected of your sin and trust inJesus restoring work.
Let’s Pray
Benediction
Benediction
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Sources:
Blum, Edwin A. “John.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Milne, Bruce. The Message of John (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove, IL. Inter-Varsity Press, 1993