Follow Me

April 15, 2018 Background Scripture: John 21:15 – 25 Lesson Passage: John 21:15 – 25 Today’s lesson is a continuation from last week of the encounter between the risen Jesus and his disciples. At this time, most of the disciples of Jesus had encountered him for the third time after his resurrection from the dead. They were sure it was him, but they did not dare to ask concerning his identity. After they ate of the fish and bread that Jesus cooked on the shore, Jesus and Peter went for a walk. As stated in last week’s notes, Peter was a natural leader. If this group of disciples were going to get on the right track, then Peter needed to be on the right track because he had great influence over them. They were going to follow Peter. Jesus was preparing to leave and ascend back to heaven. His disciples will be tasked with winning the world for Christ by preaching the good news and demonstrating signs and wonders. Therefore, Jesus inquired concerning Peter’s devotion to him. Peter assured Jesus that he was still his friend. Jesus’ question and Peter’s response were like two ships passing in the night; they shared a common waterway but were heading in two different directions. Jesus’ inquiry concerning Peter’s personal devotion that could only be present as a result of benevolent love was answered by Peter in terms of mere friendship. The mission that Jesus was sending his disciples on demanded more than mere friendship from his disciples. They needed to exhibit a benevolent love towards Jesus that would lead to self-sacrifice for Christ’s sake and therefore, the sake of the gospel. If Peter could submit himself to this level of sacrificial humility, he would lead the others to follow likewise. Peter, likely suffering from self-doubt as a result of his epic failure of character during the pre-crucifixion trials of Jesus, could not bring himself to commit to the level of personal devotion that Jesus was asking of him. Jesus accepted Peter’s disposition for now with the admonishment to Peter that when he matures, he will be led by someone else to go places he would not want to. In other words, Peter would commit to this level of devotion to Christ later on as the Holy Spirit guided him. Peter would have his own day of crucifixion just as Jesus had his in submission to the will of the Father. When Peter noticed John following them, he asked Jesus, in essence, “What would be John’s fate?” The question brought a sharp response from Jesus. The answer to that was between Jesus and John and not a matter for Peter to concern himself with. Peter was to concern himself with following Christ. Too often, we fail to focus on our ministry and calling of God because we are too concerned about someone else. Each of us need to stay in our lane and not be consumed with how God chooses to deal with another Christian. Every relationship with Jesus is personal. How God interacts or what He requires of others in their relationship with Him should not be of concern to us. Every Christian should concern themselves with strengthening their personal relationship with Christ and then seek to help others do the same. Jesus beckons us all: “Follow me!” Robert C. Hudson March 7, 2017

The Risen Lord Appears

April 8, 2018 Background Scripture: John 21:1 – 14 Lesson Passage: John 21:1 – 14 Sometimes, we don’t know what to do with ourselves. We don’t always have the patience to just wait. Especially if we are at that awkward time between accepting the salvation of Christ and finding our place in ministry. That’s when we need to learn to wait on God for additional instructions through others, through prayer, through meditation on the word of God, or sometimes as a direct revelation from God. Unfortunately, right after we are saved, we still feel responsible for ourselves and our activities, or lack thereof; even though we might not know exactly what we should be doing at the time. The eleven disciples had all seen the risen Jesus at least twice, but now things were different. The environment was not like it was before the trials, crucifixion, and death of Jesus. They had seen Jesus, but he was not hanging out with them like he did before. Their relationship with Jesus just wasn’t the same. This was one of those occasions when Jesus was not with them and four of the disciples were not around; so, Peter decided to do what he knew how to do well. Peter declared, “I am going fishing.” The other six disciples who were with him announced that they were going to join him. (Peter was a natural leader. Even when he wasn’t sure what he ought to do, the others followed him.) They fished all night and did not catch any fish. Even professionals have those fruitless days. As the night gave way to morning, they saw a man standing on the shore observing them, but they did not recognize who he was. The man called out to them and asked how their fishing was going. They answered and told him that they did not have any fish. In other words, according to the fishermen, the fish are not biting today. The man on the shore told them to throw their fishing net on the right side of the boat. They complied and could not pull the net back in the boat because of the large catch of fish. At least three of the disciples in the boat were known to be fishermen by trade: Peter, James, and John. How could a stranger standing on the shore know more about fishing than these professional fishermen who had labored all night and come up empty handed? John knew the answer. John said, “That man is the Lord.” Peter put on his fisherman’s coat and jumped into the water to go to shore. The others followed in the boat; dragging the net full of fish. When they came to shore, they found the man cooking fish and bread on an open fire. How’s that for adding insult to injury. The fishermen had fished all night and caught nothing. The man on the shore had caught fish and was already cooking a fish and bread breakfast. He invited them to bring their fish to the fire and eat. Characteristically, Jesus served them fish and bread. Although they suspected this was Jesus, they all appeared to be too afraid to ask him concerning his identity. For all but Thomas, this was their third encounter with the risen Jesus. Jesus was still helping them be successful and serving them what they needed. This is the only recorded miracle of Jesus after his resurrection, and the only recorded instance of Jesus cooking! The risen Lord had appeared and was still amazing as ever. Robert C. Hudson March 7, 2017