John 21:1-19 Rehabiliation by God (Brettell) – Bible study

Sermon John 21:1-19 Rehabilitation by God

By Pastor Daniel W. Brettell

How many times in our lives do we torture ourselves with the belief that what we have done in life makes us unfit to be loved by God? How many times do we search for ways to make ourselves worthy of Gods love? Well, if you have ever felt this way, know that you are in really good company. Martin Luther used to torture himself with the words, Have I done enough!? over and over and over; so much so that the Abbott in his monastery feared that Luther was going to lose his mind and physically harm himself. The story is told that Luther would enter the confessional, confess his sins, perform the penance assigned to him, and then before he even left the church, he would return to the confessional to confess again because he so feared that he had sinned in some way and that God was again angry with him. Can you imagine going through life that way? Always fearful; always believing that God is angry with you.

I want you to think about Simon Peter today, and I want you to think about him specifically in the context of todays Gospel lesson. You see, this particular Lesson concerning the amazing catch of fish is not unique to Johns Gospel. We also find it in Lukes Gospel, but the timing is differentand thats really important to take note of. In Lukes Gospel it occurs very early in Jesus ministry just when hes first calling his disciples. And in Lukes Gospel we have Peterafter seeing the amazing catchfalling at Jesus knees and saying, Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!

Peters response to Jesus in Luke is important and meaningful in the context of Lukes Gospel; Peter understands his relationship to God under the LawTorah; he hasnt yet come to understand his relationship to God as a result of the Gospel. But Peters declaration isnt recorded here in Johns Gospelbecause John has a different motivationa different agenda if you willfor the placement of the story. And the lesson it teaches because of where John places it, is incredibly important for us to hear and to understand.

Unlike in Lukes Gospel, the story in Johns Gospel comes at the very endafter Jesus Resurrection. So, it also comes AFTER Peters denial on the night before Jesus crucifixion. Okay, now put yourself in Peters sandals. You have denied even knowing Jesus. And thats despite having previously declared that you would stay by his side even if it meant your own death. How do you imagine you are probably feeling at this point?

Now, remember; at this point in Johns Gospel, Jesus has appeared to the disciples two other times. The first time was in that Upper Room on Easter evening. The second time was again in that Upper Room eight days later. This appearance at the Sea of Tiberiaswhich is the Sea of Galileeis the third time Jesus has appeared to the disciples.

But take note of something, in each of those previous appearances, Peter is not mentioned. Its almost as if the Gospel writer has marginalized Peter. OR is it possible that Peter has marginalized himself because of his denial. Theres no doubt that Peter believes Jesus has resurrectedwere told as much in the Easter Gospel. But Peter is carrying a lot of baggagehe has denied knowing Jesus; his denial is as much a betrayal as were the actions of Judas. The difference is that Peter has not killed himself physically. He is, however, killing himself spiritually. I can imagine that Peter is feeling despondent; he may be despairing of ever being worthy of Jesus love again. This proud and impulsive man seems to have placed himself on the periphery. Johns recounting seems to indicate that Peter doesnt want to be too visible; doesnt want to be seen by Jesus.

Now notice how Peter acts in todays lesson; the impulsiveness has returned. But first of all, you have to understand whats not being said directly in todays Gospel. At the beginning of the lesson were told that the disciples are still gathered together, but theyre no longer in Jerusalem; theyre now at the Sea of Tiberias the Sea of Galilee.

What we dont know how long its been since Jesus last appeared to them in Jerusalem, but it couldnt have been too great a time. Yet, the disciples have traveled north from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galileea distance of over 70 miles just to reach the southern tip of the lake. They have walked over 70 miles through incredibly rough terrain and are now gathered at the Sea of Galilee, perhaps at Capernaum. Then out of nowhere, Peter announces hes going fishing. And lacking anything better to do, the other disciples agree to go with him.

So, off they go in their boat, out onto the lake, but they catch nothing until a stranger on the beach instructs them to cast their nets off the right side of the boat. Immediately, they make a huge catch of fishtoo many for them to haul in. One discipleand conventional wisdom would indicate that it was Johnnow recognizes Jesus and announces as much to the others. Once again, Peters impulsiveness kicks in as he swims to shore to get nearat least physicallyto Jesus.

Now this is where it gets interesting. And its interesting because of what the events around that little charcoal fire mean for all of us. And I think its interesting that it takes place during a meal.

Consider the meal for a moment. Its a simple meala breakfast. People gather around a meal as familyas friends. When there are problems that need to be solved; gathering for a meal is a great way to solve those problems. Its difficult to be angry with someone when youre breaking bread with them. And I think thats the stage that Jesus is setting here. He knows how upset all these men areparticularly Peter. I mean think about it; with the exception of John, all of them deserted him in his agony. With the exception of John, where were they when he died so horribly on that cross. They were hiding; every single one of themexcept for John. And Peter had denied him; had told three people that he didnt even know Jesus.

Today we might say there was a huge elephant in the room; and no one wanted to admit it was there. There was a lot that needed to be said, but it wasnt being said. So, they sat there around that fire eating. John doesnt record any conversation if there even was any. Can you imagine the awkward silence?

Its Jesus that breaks the silence, and he breaks it with Peter:

Jesus asks, “Simon, son of Jonah,” “do you love me more than these?”

Peter said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”

Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my lambs.”

Jesus said to Peter again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”

Peter said, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”

Jesus said, “Tend my sheep.”

Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”

Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15b-17).

When you read this passage, are you confused by Jesus asking the question three times? Why does Jesus need to ask the question three times? Its because Jesus is reaching out to Peter in a way that isnt immediately clear. You see, the first and second time Jesus asks, he uses the Greek word agapas which is one of way of saying love. The third time Jesus asks the question he uses the Greek word phileis which is another way of saying love. But there is a difference in the quality of love implied by each of those words.

The first two times Jesus asks the question, hes asking Peter if he loves him enough to die for him. Peter, do you love me enough to die for me? Thats what agapas implies. Its the kind of love Peter professed for Jesus early on Thursday night, but couldnt live up to after Jesus was arrested. Jesus is actually revisiting Peters inability to live up to his own bravado. The third time Jesus asks the question, hes asking Peter if he loves him in a brotherly waya human way. Peter do you love me like a brother? Thats what phileis implies. Jesus is giving Peter grace. Peter knows he couldnt live up to what Jesus had asked of him. He couldnt do it the night before Jesus death on the cross, and he had no reason to believe he could do it now. So Jesus comes down to Peters level and lowers the expectation.

Then Jesus does something else. He tells Peter that hePeterwill eventually be able to agapasto love Jesus enough to die for him. It will happen when Peter grows old. Jesus is foretelling Peters death on his own cross. And finally, he welcomes Peter back. Jesus says to Peter, Follow me.

My brothers and sisters, Jesus does the same for each of us every day of our lives. Just as Martin Luther asked, Have I done enough? so too, do we ask Have I done enough? because we know we are incapable of that type of love that Jesus asks of us. And Jesus knows it, too. So Jesus comes down to us; he lowers the bar for us; he says to us, I will always love you enough to die for you, and I accept the fact that you are not always able to love me in that way; but its okay. Just follow me and love me as you are able.

Thats the lesson we can learn from todays Gospel. We can never love God in a way that will equal Gods love us, but that doesnt stop God from loving us so much that he sacrificed his only Son for us and for our salvation.

Let us pray.

May the peace of Christ which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the joy of our resurrected Lord and Savior who died for our sins and lives so that we might live. Amen.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2010 Daniel W. Brettell. Used by permission.