The Gospel of John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John The Life of Jesus as recorded by John Jesus, final words Jesus, final words Week 19, December 17, 2014 Week 19, December 17, 2014

John 21:1-14: “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.” John 21:1-14: “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.” Fishing was primarily done at night, as most fishermen can tell you. Fishing was primarily done at night, as most fishermen can tell you. The boats would go out on the lake, with torches lit, looking over the side for the fish. When spotted, nets would be thrown overboard. The boats would go out on the lake, with torches lit, looking over the side for the fish. When spotted, nets would be thrown overboard. The Gospel of John

John 21:1-14: “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” John 21:1-14: “But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” “And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” “And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.” Sometimes, we simply need to trust God at what He says. Sometimes, we simply need to trust God at what He says. “do not reply on your own understanding” “do not reply on your own understanding” The Gospel of John

John 21:1-14: “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” John 21:1-14: “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Again, John is first. What a wonderful way to see the world. May have just been getting light out. John’s young eyes were the best? Or was he the one with the insight? Again, John is first. What a wonderful way to see the world. May have just been getting light out. John’s young eyes were the best? Or was he the one with the insight? “Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” “Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Ever swam 200 cubits? That’s 300 feet. Yet, he dives in without a moment’s hesitation. Ever swam 200 cubits? That’s 300 feet. Yet, he dives in without a moment’s hesitation. Did Peter want to be with Jesus? Yes. Very much so. Did Peter want to be with Jesus? Yes. Very much so. The Gospel of John

John 21:1-14: “Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three…” John 21:1-14: “Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three…” All sorts of attempts through the ages to explain why 153 fish. Certainly an eye-witness detail. Does it have some sort of other meaning? John is full of double-meanings everywhere. All sorts of attempts through the ages to explain why 153 fish. Certainly an eye-witness detail. Does it have some sort of other meaning? John is full of double-meanings everywhere. Cyril of Alexandria: 153 = the “fullness of the Gentiles”, 50 the remnant of Israel, 3 the trinity. Cyril of Alexandria: 153 = the “fullness of the Gentiles”, 50 the remnant of Israel, 3 the trinity. Augustine: 10 commandments and 7 gifts of the Spirit. That’s 17… … = 153. Augustine: 10 commandments and 7 gifts of the Spirit. That’s 17… … = 153. Jerome: There are 153 different kinds of fish. The catch indicates the church is for everyone. Jerome: There are 153 different kinds of fish. The catch indicates the church is for everyone. Also, it may well be that the real symbolic point would be that the net was full to near breaking, but it did not break. The church and its message are for all. Also, it may well be that the real symbolic point would be that the net was full to near breaking, but it did not break. The church and its message are for all. Or, it may well have simply held 153 fish. Or, it may well have simply held 153 fish. The Gospel of John

John 21:1-14: “…and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.” John 21:1-14: “…and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.” Again, John is pointing out to his audience of that time that Jesus was a real man in addition to God. Even after his resurrection, it was a bodily resurrection. Again, John is pointing out to his audience of that time that Jesus was a real man in addition to God. Even after his resurrection, it was a bodily resurrection. “This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.” “This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.” The Gospel of John

John 21:15-19: “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” John 21:15-19: “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 Jonah, 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.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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.” Why three times? Perhaps because Peter had denied Jesus three times, and now Jesus gives Peter the chance to affirm his love for Him three times. Why three times? Perhaps because Peter had denied Jesus three times, and now Jesus gives Peter the chance to affirm his love for Him three times. Why was this necessary and why record it? Peter’s denial is a pivotal event. Christians needed to know that even a mistake / sin so colossal was not the end. There is always a way back. Why was this necessary and why record it? Peter’s denial is a pivotal event. Christians needed to know that even a mistake / sin so colossal was not the end. There is always a way back. The Gospel of John

John 21:15-19: “Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” John 21:15-19: “Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” Peter ends up being crucified in Rome. His affirmation of his love for Jesus brought Peter a task. Peter ends up being crucified in Rome. His affirmation of his love for Jesus brought Peter a task. His task was to feed the little lambs of Jesus and, to go to his final test - giving his life for His Lord. His task was to feed the little lambs of Jesus and, to go to his final test - giving his life for His Lord. The Gospel of John

John 21:20-25: “Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” John 21:20-25: “Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” By this time, John is so old that this story had become nearly a “legend”. You could almost hear “That’s the disciple Jesus said would stay alive until He returned” By this time, John is so old that this story had become nearly a “legend”. You could almost hear “That’s the disciple Jesus said would stay alive until He returned” So, John makes sure to point out that this was not correct. So, John makes sure to point out that this was not correct. John lived until at least 95-96AD, to a ripe old age. His influence on the 2nd century church was immense. Many of the great 2nd century Christians learned at his feet. What an amazing gift. John lived until at least 95-96AD, to a ripe old age. His influence on the 2nd century church was immense. Many of the great 2nd century Christians learned at his feet. What an amazing gift. The Gospel of John

John 21:20-25: “This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.” John 21:20-25: “This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.” John closes his book by putting his own seal of his testimony. “I saw these things. These things happened.” John closes his book by putting his own seal of his testimony. “I saw these things. These things happened.” “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” What would some of these other things be? What would some of these other things be? The Gospel of John

John 21 John 21 I’m certain there would be more events recorded… I’m certain there would be more events recorded… Showing Jesus breaking down barriers Showing Jesus breaking down barriers Showing Jesus’ love and concern for people Showing Jesus’ love and concern for people Showing Jesus’ obedience to God Showing Jesus’ obedience to God The story of Jesus is in many ways, still being written on the hearts of His followers. What is the story of Jesus according to you? The story of Jesus is in many ways, still being written on the hearts of His followers. What is the story of Jesus according to you? Thanks for being here for this fall’s study. Thanks for being here for this fall’s study. The Gospel of John