John

Lesson 20 w/AnswersJohn 21:1–25

Bible

This short lesson concludes our study of the Gospel of John as we review the last chapter, Chapter 21. The disciples do not recognize him at first, but Jesus is sitting at a charcoal fire on the shores of the Sea of Galilee early in the morning. It will be the last documented event in John’s account of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Having now been seen by well over 500 people, Jesus teaches his disciples one final lesson, a lesson that is also applicable for us today.

Let’s read through John Chapter 21 and consider the following:

  1. Review John 21:1-14. It’s a familiar story to many of us. Peter and the disciples have returned to fishing, and Jesus teaches them a big lesson. What is it, and how does it apply to us today?
    1. ANSWER 1: Although Peter and some of the others were trained fishermen, they have fished all night but have caught nothing. Now, a stranger (so they believe) yells out to them from the shore telling them where to drop their nets in order to catch fish. With nothing to lose, they follow his instructions; however, they don’t just catch "some" fish—they catch so many fish that they can barely physically haul them into the boat. They now have an abundance of fish! The lesson, of course, is easy: if we want to be fishers of men, we need to ask Jesus where to drop the nets, and when. Running off on our own, full of zeal, without following his voice will lead to a night of fishing that produces nothing. However, if we seek and follow the leading of Jesus, our catch will be an abundant one.
    2. ANSWER 2: This lesson is also true in life, for both our work and with our family. If we want to have a blessing-filled life, then following Jesus’ leading is the only path to success. It doesn’t mean that we won’t have challenges, failings, and difficult times; but with Jesus, we will have the peace of knowing that what we are doing, where we are doing it, and when we are doing it, is all in his timing, and not our own.
  2. In John 21:15-19, Jesus completes one last task—he reinstates Peter. In this well-known set of verses, Jesus asks Peter to feed and care for his flock. What does he ask Peter at the beginning of each of these questions?
    1. ANSWER: He initiates each of these requests by asking Peter, "Do you love me?" This is also a lesson that we need today. We cannot serve Jesus, nor can we follow Jesus, if we do not love him. As we complete this study, my prayer is that you have come to love Jesus and to believe that he is indeed the Messiah. This was of course John’s desire and intent as well. Simply going through the steps of acting like a disciple, or acting like a follower of Christ, will not save you. You must believe in Jesus. If you do, you will love him for saving you just as Peter proclaimed, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.".
  3. Peter himself now leaves us with another lesson, as recorded in John’s gospel. Having just been reinstated, what is the first thing that Peter asks Jesus, and what is the lesson for us? (See John 21:20-24)
    1. ANSWER: Instead of being thankful that he has been reinstated, Peter is curious about John’s role. Why is it that we are sometimes more interested in what someone else is doing, or what someone else will receive as a reward and so on, than we are interested in ensuring that we ourselves are in the right and doing God’s will? Peter now wants to know about John and what his fate will be. Amazing; Peter is acting just like one of us, but Jesus loves him in spite of it.
  4. How does Jesus answer Peter’s question?
    1. ANSWER: Effectively, Jesus tells Peter that John’s role is none of his business. This is Jesus’ decision—it is His will that will be accomplished, and not Peter’s. Jesus is telling Peter to focus on doing Jesus’ will and not his own. This is a lesson that we can also take to heart on a daily basis.

John ends his Gospel by telling us that Jesus did a lot of other things that John has not documented. As we know from John 20:30-31, John focused on documenting those things that demonstrate to us that Jesus is the Son of God and "that by believing, you may have life in his name."

I hope that you have enjoyed our study of John and have come to know Jesus in a closer and more personal way as a result. Jesus will literally change your life, if you will just let him in and allow him to. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

Thanks again for being faithful in studying with us!

In Christ,

Wes

[2018]

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