Verses 1-14
-
Notice that Peter was content to go fishing—a familiar activity and one he was skilled in, even as he waited in Galilee.
-
Know that it is ok to enjoy activities as followers of Jesus. Peter was not abandoning Jesus to go fishing. He was still a faithful disciple. You too can still be a faithful disciple and enjoy a recreational activity or venture for financial gain.
-
-
Notice that Jesus appeared to them here in an environment that was very ordinary—fishing, a campfire, breakfast, etc. It even seems that Jesus ate with them.
-
This establishes an often neglected fact, Jesus rose in a glorified but physical body. He could even eat with them. Jesus was no phantom or mere spirit when He rose. As it is written, “For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (Luke 24:39).
-
Verses 15-17
-
Just as Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus asked him the same question three times, and three times gave him nearly the same answer. Peter needed to hear what Jesus said three times, likely because of how important it was, and as a means of restoring him after he had denied Jesus three times.
-
In order for Peter to love Jesus, he needed to show it by his service to the church, feeding the flock of God.
-
Understand that you show your love to Jesus by loving and caring for others, and especially other believers. If you love Jesus more than you love anyone else, and if you will love Him more than anyone else loves Him, it's all about how much you love and serve others. Remember this!
-
Verses 18-23
-
Now Jesus tells Peter that he would died for Him. Persecution would result in his death. But he was reassured that his death would glorify God.
-
While we are young, we also often go where we wish and do what we wish, but we must learn to embrace doing whatever God wills. And surrendering ourselves to discomfort now is how we learn.
-
Peter was to follow Jesus still, even though he would be following Him to his death.
-
Remember that dying for one's faith glorifies God. Do not be afraid of persecution. Even in the face of pain or death, follow Him still.
-
-
Now we turn to John. After Peter heard what would become of him, he wanted to hear about John, as a way of comparing himself to him.
-
Don't be envious or critical of others - God's will for them is different from His will for you. Peter's future was to die, John's future may have been not to die at all. Your future may include hardships that other believers won't have to go through. The point is that God's plan for everyone is what's best. So don't be bitter towards others for any reason. Focus on how God's will for your life glorifies Him, and that's what's important. Follow Jesus for yourself, and be content with whatever He asks you to do to follow Him. Spend your thoughts envious or bitter of God's dealing with other people, and you will forget to be obedient for yourself. Just mind your own business. The point of our faith is not to get a life that's easier or a life that we want. The point is to obey God. Period.
-
Verses 24-25
-
The information about Jesus that we have from John and from the other three gospels is 100% truth!
-
And even though there is much more about Jesus that we do not know, what we have is enough for what we need today. Know this and focus on the Word!