Podcasts about scripture: john 21:0-21:1

Breakfast by the Sea

Our last text in our series is found in the last chapter of John's Gospel. It serves as an epilogue to the writer's account of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus had some "unfinished business" with Peter. The background text is found in John 18 and portrays the betrayal by Peter during the trial of Jesus. Another key text to understand this account would be Luke chapter 5. Here, we find Jesus calling Peter, James and John to leave their fishing and follow Jesus right after a miraculous catch of fish. The call to "catch men" and the challenge for Peter to follow Jesus are part of the discipleship language of the Gospels. Our text finds seven of the disciples back at their fishing trade. They are in the Galilee area because an angel had instructed the women (Matt. 28:10) that they should go to this area and see the resurrected Lord. Peter, James and John were professional fishers and this foray back into the business might have been because of discouragement, boredom or lack of finances. It was not to be their ultimate calling. In our text Jesus reinstates Peter as shepherd of His flock. The three questions coincide with Peter's three betrayals. Jesus pushes the issue of Peter's love because this is the very area where Peter seemed to fail. His love of security trumped his love for Jesus in spite of his bravado and boasting to the contrary (Mk. 14:29). Questions for Discussion: 1. Slide 2. How do the Gospels portray the personality of Peter? 2. Slide 15. Recall the calling of the first disciples at the beginning of the Gospels. Why is discipleship and following so closely linked? What does it mean to follow Jesus today when he is not physically present? 3. Slide 16. What have you learned about the values of Jesus from the spiritual conversations we have been studying? 4. Slide 18. Discuss our tendency to compare ourselves to other followers. What does Jesus say about that? Why is it a bad idea? 5. Slide 19. Why does Jesus push Peter so hard regarding his love for him? Given Peter's foibles, what else might he have asked him? 6. Slide 20. Why do you think Peter needed to confess his love out loud?

Our last text in our series is found in the last chapter of John's Gospel. It serves as an epilogue to the writer's account of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus had some "unfinished business" with Peter. The background text is found in John 18 and portrays the betrayal by Peter during the trial of Jesus. Another key text to understand this account would be Luke chapter 5. Here, we find Jesus calling Peter, James and John to leave their fishing and follow Jesus right after a miraculous catch of fish. The call to "catch men" and the challenge for Peter to follow Jesus are part of the discipleship language of the Gospels. Our text finds seven of the disciples back at their fishing trade. They are in the Galilee area because an angel had instructed the women (Matt. 28:10) that they should go to this area and see the resurrected Lord. Peter, James and John were professional fishers and this foray back into the business might have been because of discouragement, boredom or lack of finances. It was not to be their ultimate calling. In our text Jesus reinstates Peter as shepherd of His flock. The three questions coincide with Peter's three betrayals. Jesus pushes the issue of Peter's love because this is the very area where Peter seemed to fail. His love of security trumped his love for Jesus in spite of his bravado and boasting to the contrary (Mk. 14:29). Questions for Discussion: 1. Slide 2. How do the Gospels portray the personality of Peter? 2. Slide 15. Recall the calling of the first disciples at the beginning of the Gospels. Why is discipleship and following so closely linked? What does it mean to follow Jesus today when he is not physically present? 3. Slide 16. What have you learned about the values of Jesus from the spiritual conversations we have been studying? 4. Slide 18. Discuss our tendency to compare ourselves to other followers. What does Jesus say about that? Why is it a bad idea? 5. Slide 19. Why does Jesus push Peter so hard regarding his love for him? Given Peter's foibles, what else might he have asked him? 6. Slide 20. Why do you think Peter needed to confess his love out loud?

Gracious God