Lessons for August 5
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
Is it time for you to clear the air with Christ?
___ John 21:1-25
___By Bobby Dagnel
___First Baptist Church, Nederland
___I remember when as a child, I had done something I was not supposed to do. I knew my parents knew what I had done. The angst and anxiety of what they might say or do was worse than any punishment they could possibly mete out. I remember thinking: "What are they waiting on? Why won't they get this over with? Maybe I should initiate the inevitable
face-off."
___Reading this week's passage, John 21:1-25, we cannot help but imagine that, in light of his three-fold denial of Christ, these are the emotions and thoughts Peter must have been experiencing. The conversation between Jesus and Peter, verses 15-23, was, at least, the third time they had been together since the resurrection (See John 20:19, 26). Whether there was tension between the two, we can only speculate. Regardless, Peter knew his denial of Jesus was going to have to be addressed.
___Undoubtedly, his fellow disciples were viewing Peter differently. Because Peter had denied Christ in the presence of the enemy, it was an issue that would not go away and must be addressed. And the longer the needed confrontation was delayed, greater became Peter's lingering guilt and uncertainties regarding his future role. As we will discover, Peter's triple affirmation and Jesus' three-fold commission not only "cleared the air" but for those present, and the future church, it had the effect of giving an almost "official" restoration of Peter to his rightful place of leadership.
___The seriousness of this conversation and the gravity of its implications is seen at the outset and Jesus' use of Peter's full name, "Simon, son of John" (v. 15). Remember again the days of childhood. When your parents called you by your full name, you knew it was going to be a serious conversation. Likewise, when Peter heard himself being addressed by his full name, he knew this was going to be a somber occasion.
___The question posed by Jesus in verse 15, "Do you love me more than these?" has been interpreted in a variety of ways--"Do you love me more than you love your fellow disciples?" "Do you love me more than you love your fishing nets?" These are supported by sound arguments, and the voices of those who espouse them should be heard because their positions have valid application. For those who allow earthly relationships to supersede their commitment to Christ, they must ask themselves, "Do I love Jesus more than I love my best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, spouse, children?" If not, our affections must be redirected. For those whose occupation takes precedence over devotion to Christ, they must challenge themselves by asking, "Do I love Jesus more than I love my career?"
___While there are valid arguments for supporting these interpretations of what Jesus meant, I believe a more correct and consistent interpretation is, "Do you love me more than these other disciples love me?" Remember, Peter has boldly proclaimed a devotion that exceeds that of the other apostles (Matthew 26:33; Mark 14:29; John 13:37). Now his devotion is suspect.
___One of the things we have observed again and again these past months of study was Peter's inability to fathom the idea of a crucified Lord and his attempts to distract Jesus from his appointed task. Because Jesus was a crucified Savior, much to Peter's chagrin, the Lord needed to know how Peter's devotion was going to stand. Was Peter ready to love Jesus as he was and not as Peter wished him to be?
___Three times Peter affirms his love for Christ, and the Lord did, indeed, know Peter's heart (v. 17). He commissioned Peter to the task of tending his flock. It says to us that while other qualities are important, the basis for Christian service is our love for Christ. This is the one thing about which Jesus questions Peter prior to commissioning him to tend the flock.
___In speaking a prophetic word to Peter in verses 18-19, our Lord concluded the matter by saying to him, "Follow me" (v. 19). It is no insignificant observation that in the Greek this is in the present tense and carries the idea of "keep on following me." For one who had been an inconsistent follower, it is a call to steadfastness.
___With these words having been spoken, one might expect Peter, given his track record, to ask questions about how he might do this more effectively. Surprisingly, however, instead of worrying about his own foibles and areas of needed improvement, Peter inquires about John and his role (vv. 20-21). The Lord responds by saying that things of this nature are none of your business. He then expresses to Peter, again, the one thing with which he needs to concern himself, "You follow me" (v. 22).
___While we may be unlike Peter in that we have never explicitly denied our Lord, we implicitly do so on a daily basis. Consequently, like Peter, we to need an opportunity to "clear the air."
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