John 21: Grace and Truth for Peter, and Us

 

Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, he met with some of his disciples by the sea. At the beginning of his ministry, he helped them catch an amazing number of fish, and he does that again now. Maybe he is showing them they can depend on him to care for them. Maybe he’s reminding them, even after all this time, who he is and the power he has.

 

When Peter realizes it’s Jesus, he jumps out of the boat and hurries to be with him.

 

Verse 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.

 

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

 

Peter had denied Jesus, and it broke Peter’s heart. Jesus spends time with Peter now, questioning him, going deep, assuring him that he is still part of Jesus’ plans.

 

Verses 17-19: The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

 

Jesus spoke truth to Peter, letting him know he would die a hard death. Peter, being Peter, wanted to know what was in store for John. Maybe he hoped he wasn’t the only one who would go through rough times.

 

But Jesus reminded Peter that his duty was to keep his mind on his own obedience.

 

Verse 22: Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

 

Finally, John reminds us of all Jesus did to help us have faith in him.

 

Verses 24-25: This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

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.

 

Jesus, please go deep with me. I want to know the truth about how I am doing as your servant. Thank         you that you love me enough to root the things out of me that will only cause me harm. I love you.