Journey Through JohnSample

Scripture:

John 21:17 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.” 

Observation:

Jesus’ repeated question to Peter about whether he loved Jesus was painful for Peter; but it wasn’t intended to hurt Peter, but rather to give him the opportunity to in a sense cancel out his three denials of Jesus and to clear his conscience so that Peter could go on and be useful as a church leader. Ultimately, this was meant to affirm to Peter that Jesus still loved him and still viewed him as someone who could be valuable in Jesus’ Kingdom, despite his failure on that night.

Application:

Sometimes what God allows into our lives may feel painful to us, but God’s intent is never to hurt us. Rather He seeks to purify us and to strengthen our character. When I look back on the most painful times in my life, I remember how I sometimes wondered why God would let me hurt like that. But in retrospect, I see that these were some of the most growing times in my life. Of course I wish I could have a pain-free life, but God’s goal is bigger than that: He desires my character development more than my comfort. 

Prayer:

God, thank You for the times that You have allowed pain in my life and then used that to help me grow in my character. I’m so glad for the ways You have changed me over the years. Help me trust You more and seek the growth opportunities in every difficult situation. I love You. Amen.

Truths to notice:

21:1 Jesus appeared numerous times bodily to His followers after His resurrection.

21:6 Jesus again did a similar miracle to what He had done when He first called these fishermen to follow Him (Luke 5) by providing a miraculous huge catch of fish. 

21:15 Jesus was able to eat in His resurrected body state. 

21:15 ff Jesus asked Peter whether He loved Jesus more than the fish they caught, in other words: more than His career and source of income. Jesus then asked him to serve as a leader of the Church, caring for Jesus’ followers like a shepherd cares for sheep.

21:15-17 Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to cancel out his three denials of Jesus through three affirmations of his love for Jesus. 

21:18-19 Jesus predicted that Peter would one day be crucified for his faith. 

21:21-22 Jesus doesn’t want us comparing and competing with others about the difficulty or ease of our life circumstances, but that we be faithful to Him in whatever circumstances we have.

21:20-25 John, who wrote this book, was one of Jesus’ closest friends and lived longer than the other disciples.