A Fisherman's Story

A Study in the Gospel of John John 20:30-21:25   by Samuel E. Ward   June 3, 2012   Introduction: Review   Part One:  "The Beginning of the Fisherman's Story", John 1:1-18 Part Two:  "The Telling of the Fisherman's Story", John 1:18-12:50 Part Three:  "The Climactic Events of the Fisherman's Story", John 13:1-20:31   I. The Final Meal John, 13:1-17:26 II. The Final Prayer with His Disciples, John 17:1-26 III. The Final Hours to Redemption, John 18:1-19:42 IV. The First Witnesses, John 20:1-29   A. To the Empty Tomb B. To the Risen Christ   Two key portions remain in John's narrative of the ministry of Jesus Christ.  The first is his statement of . . .   V. The Critical Purpose of the Gospel, John 20:30-31.   (John 20:30-31 NIV)  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.   A. John's Gospel Was Not Written to Be the Complete Record of Jesus' Ministry, John 20:30.   (John 20:30 NIV)  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.   B. John Gospel Was Written to Lead People to Believe in Three Critical Truths, John 20:31.   (John 20:31 NIV)  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.   1. Jesus is the Christ (Jewish Messiah)—John records four separate confessions.   a. Andrew was the first to confess Jesus as the Christ. b. The Samaritan woman was the second to confess Jesus as the Christ. c. Many in a crowd having seen many of Jesus' miracles were the third to confess Jesus as the Christ. d. Martha was the fourth to confess Jesus as the Christ.   2. Jesus is the Son of God.   a. John the Baptist testified that Jesus was the Son of God. b. Nathanael testified that he believed Jesus was the Son of God. c. Jesus confessed that He was the Son of God. d. Martha testified that she believed Jesus was the Son of God. e. John the apostle testified that Jesus was the Son of God.   3. Jesus is source of eternal life to all who believe.   a. Eternal life is what Jesus offered, John 3:15-16. b. Eternal life is the result of belief in Jesus, John 3:36; 5:24; 6:40; c. Eternal life is secure in Jesus' capable hands, John 10:28. d. Peter recognized that eternal life was to be found only in Jesus, John 6:68. e. Eternal life is given by the authority of Jesus Christ, John 17:2.   VI. John's Epilogue—Encounter with Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, John 21:1-25.   A. An Encounter with Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, John 21:1-8   (John 21 NIV)  Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: {2} Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. {3} "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. {4} Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. {5} He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. {6} He 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. {7} Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. {8} The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.   B. A Reenactment of the Call of the Disciples Recorded in Luke 5:1-11   (Luke 5:1-11 NIV)  One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, {2} he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. {3} He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. {4} When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." {5} Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." {6} When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. {7} So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. {8} When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" {9} For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, {10} and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." {11} So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.   C. A Breakfast Prepared by Jesus for His Disciples, John 21:9-14   (John 21:9-14 NIV)  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. {10} Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." {11} Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. {12} Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. {13} Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. {14} This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.   D. A Private Conversation with Peter, John 21:15-22   1. Probing questions, John 21:15-17   (John 21:15-17 NIV)  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love (agapao – full devotion) me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love (phileo—have affection for) you."  Jesus said, "Feed (bosko—put them to pasture) my lambs." {16} Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo—have affection for) you." Jesus said, "Take care (poimaino—tend to) of my sheep." {17} The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love (phileo—have affection for) me?"  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love (phileo—have affection for) me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love  (phileo—have affection for) you." Jesus said, "Feed (bosko—put them to pasture) my sheep.   a. The first question may have been designed to give Peter an opportunity to address his guilt over remarks of loyalty he made to Christ even to the point of death and the desertion of all others.  See Mark 14:29-31. b. The second through fourth questions may have been designed to give Peter an opportunity to address the exposure of level of his devotion to Christ.  Jesus asked "Do you love (agapao) me twice, but Peter could only admit to being fond (phileo) of Christ. Jesus lastly asks Peter if he was truly "fond" of Him.   c. The three commands to feed his baby lambs, take care of and feed the grown sheep, are probably indicating the full care of all of Jesus' spiritual flock that were being entrusted to Peter's care. d. The encouraging result of Peter's conversation with Jesus was that Jesus recognized the true heart of Peter's intentions and that He was willing to let Peter "grow into" them.  It should be just as encouraging to all of us who are seeking to walk and serve Christ.  We are not perfect.  We will not always live up to our best intentions.  Jesus is willing to let us grow and develop.  But we must grow and develop.   That is why we submit to those who teach us God's Word, because . . .   [God] gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up {13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:11-13 NIV)   2. A prophetic glimpse, John 21:18-19   (John 21:18-19 NIV)  I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." {19} Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"   A passage from Matthew comes to mind which sheds light on the healing message of Christ to Peter.    (Mat 16:24-25 NIV)  Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. {25} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.   Peter's denials are history but his loyal and sacrificial service would be the proof of his devotion to Christ.  Tradition has it that Peter was martyred near the same time as Paul under the rule of Nero about 63 A. D.  His request to his executioners was that he be crucified upside-down, not feeling worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.   3. A "Peter" question—(Peter, typical of his impulsive nature, seems to go one step too far.), John 21:20-22   (John 21:20-22 NIV)  Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")  {21} When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" {22} Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."   4. A misinterpretation which led to a false rumor, John 21:23.   (John 21:23 NIV)  Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"   E. John's Affirmation of the Truthfulness of His Testimony, John 21:24-25   (John 21:24-25 NIV)  This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. {25} Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.   Conclusion:  The message of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ permeates the whole of John's gospel.  If you have not learned this during our study, then you have learned nothing.   At the beginning of John's gospel we read:    "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12 NIV)   In the middle of John's gospel we read:     "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. {28} I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28 NIV)   At the close of John's gospel we read:    Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. {31} But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  (John 20:30-31 NIV)