John 21 is an epilogue, a section of a piece of writing, that brings closure to a selection, book or writing. Chapter 21 of John was needed to bring closure to John. And even though Jesus took his last breath and said, “It is finished” in John 19:30, the redemptive work needed a blueprint for believers walking out that resurrective plan of redemption and restoration.
In chapter 21, Peter became the central figure in that power of redemption and restoration. Peter and the other disciples had been demoralized by the series of events in the crucifixion of Jesus. In fact, Peter had denied Jesus three times!
John and the other gospels depict how Peter and the other disciples’ walked with Jesus. Jesus had even prophesied that Peter would be instrumental in building his church. As flawed as Peter was, Jesus saw him as who he would become in his Church— an instrument in shepherding the lost sheep of the world.
Jesus’ first meeting with Peter was at Lake Gennesaret as he was teaching a crowd. He noticed two fishing boats—one was Peter’s and the other belonged to James and John, sons of Zebedee. The fishermen had been toiling all night without success. Jesus got into the boat that belonged to Peter and told them to let down their nets in deep water as he continued to teach the word of God to the people. Peter and his fishermen caught such a large number of fish that their nets filled up the boats.
Peter fell to his knees, recognizing, even then that Jesus was Lord. Jesus told him not to be afraid—that from now on he would fish for people. Peter, his brother , as well as, James and John left all and followed Jesus. (Luke 5)
In another instance, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15-20) Simon Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus tells Simon Peter that his revelation was not by flesh and blood, but from Father God in heaven. He tells Simon that he “is Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Jesus declared Simon Peter, Petros, the Greek name for Peter. Petros, means a small rock or stone. The large rock, Petra, Jesus Himself, would build his church. Jesus was declaring to Peter that he Peter, Petros, would be instrumental in the foundation of Jesus’ Church. Even at that time, Jesus saw Peter for whom he would be, not who he was. Jesus saw Peter as steady with rock-likeness and stability in the formation of his Church.
And then there was the interaction at the Last Supper before Jesus death on the cross in Luke 22:31-33. Jesus warned Peter that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat, but that he (Jesus) prayed that his faith would not fail. Jesus told him that he also prayed that when Peter turned back from denying him, he would strengthen his brothers. (Jesus’ warning was a premonition of the crisis that would take place in Peter’s faith after Jesus’ crucifixion.) Peter quickly asserts, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus then tells Peter that before the rooster crows today, “you will deny three times that you know me.” That denial is found in all the gospels. Even though the impetuous Peter cut off the servant’s ear when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus he still ended up denying Jesus three times!
After the death of Jesus on the cross, the dejected Peter is returned to his occupation before his encounter with Jesus! He, along with six other disciples, returned to their role as fishermen. You might say that he had reached rock bottom and returned to that for which he was familiar—his life as a fisherman! He and the other disciples went to the Sea of Galilee (Tiberius) to fish.
Many times when there is a crisis of faith—believers return to what they we were doing before they met Jesus. Jesus always sees the brokenness and the despair. He meets all believers who have fallen short by coming to their point of need— where each person is at that time of desperation.
That is what Jesus did for Peter (and the other disciples); he met Peter at his point of need! Jesus approached the disciples who were fishing, at the Sea of Galilee just as he had approached them while they were fishing at their first meeting at Lake Gennesaret. Jesus again asked, if they had caught any fish and they answered, “No.” So, just as with his first meeting, he tells them to throw out their net—this time, on the right side. They did and got a net full of fish—153 to be exact! As they came to the shore, they found Jesus preparing some fish for them to eat. He meets us where we are and brings comfort in our times of need!
At this point, Jesus brings redemption and restoration to a broken Peter and Peter becomes the example for restoration and redemption for believers! Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved him. He tells Peter to: the first time, feed my lambs; the second time—take care of my sheep; and the third time—feed my sheep. Peter answered the imperative each time, saying that he loved Jesus! The declaration of love three times for the three denials was key to Peter knowing that he had been completely forgiven.
Jesus had already prophesied that Peter would lead his church in Matthew 16. It is here that he commissions Peter to go forth in his name to the lost sheep. From the beginning, Jesus had seen a bold church leader in the impetuous, fickle and impulsive Peter.
What a blueprint for believers! So, John 21 lets all believers know that the Lord sees each person as who he or she will be rather than as they are in their initial, unsanctified flawed character! How reassuring it is that Jesus speaks into each person who they will be as redeemed and restored believers in the kingdom of God by the Blood of Jesus. It behooves all Christians to follow Jesus as he brings light to a fallen world and Peter did just that!
Spiritual References:
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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