Bible Study

Oh wonders! Did you know we’re on the last few verses of John? Time has passed well I think hasn’t it? Anyways, last time Jesus asked Peter three times about his love for him. Today we’ll finish off the book of John.

John 21:20-25

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

What Scripture Says

Peter has heard that he will die for the Lord. That’s got to be startling. In the aftermath of that news Peter sees the disciple that Jesus loved following them. This same disciple had leaned up against Jesus during their last supper and had asked “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” But that isn’t the point of this conversation, the point is that Peter was wondering what would happen to this particular disciple.  

Jesus’ response was “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 

Jesus pointed Peter back to where his focus should be.  Following him. 

Of course, people being who they are, and how easily we assume ideas, spread the idea that this disciple wouldn’t die.   But that is NOT what Jesus had said.  He said  “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

The disciple that Jesus loved is the same disciple who bore witness about everything here.  He wrote the book of John.  Ergo we know the disciple that Jesus loved was John.    John’s testimony is known to be true.

Jesus did a whole lot of other things.  John tells us that if all of them were written down, the world could not hold the books written. 

Questions

I know I supposed that Peter might have been shocked/startled at Jesus’ revelation that Peter would die for him. I wonder though, if he was feeling a bit “put out about it too”. This wondering is based in Peter’s questioning Jesus about the fate of John.

Why it was important to bring up the conversation at the last supper. Scripture was never written blindly.

Pondering this passage

I love how Jesus pointed Peter back to himself. I am reminded of how often I will profess my love for the Lord. I’ll have a purpose in mind again, and then it happens. I get distracted. That’s, I think, what happened to Peter. He sees this other disciple and knows that Jesus loves him. Jesus just told Peter that he would die for him.

Peter had been wounded by Jesus asking him three times about his love for him. Gives him three tasks to do. Then tells Peter he’ll die. So a wounded, startled Peter sees John and wonders… what will happen with John?

In that wondering he took his eyes off his own professed love. He loves Jesus. Wants to do whatever Jesus asks of him. But here in this moment, he is distracted.

Happens to me. And I’ll beat a dollar it happens to you too. You know you love the Lord, but “oh look, it’s shiney”! Those moments happen to all of us. Doesn’t mean you don’t love him. And did you notice that Jesus didn’t say “Peter, do you love me?” He didn’t. He in essence said “Never you mind him, focus on your task. FOLLOW ME.”

Like when a momma in training her boys gives one son a task, and then to the “what about Joe?” Says never you mind, Go sweep the floor like I asked.

Let’s try not to get distracted, but rather to just do as the Lord commands. Follow him. Not minding how he asks others to do the same deed. Our focus needs to be on what the Lord has given for us to do.

Do you remember how the bible was written to encourage belief?  Pretty neat those verses eh?  Today John continues to write with John 21:1-14.

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Scripture Speaks

We know that after Jesus’ resurrection he appeared to Mary, some of the disciples and then to all of the disciples.   He then goes on to reveal himself to the disciples again, this time by the by the Sea of Tiberias.

The way he revealed himself was by standing on the shore as Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee and two others were fishing.   They had gone out when Simon Peter had said to them, “I am going fishing.” They were out all night without catching a thing. 

So here it’s coming up sunrise, Jesus was standing on the shore but the disciples didn’t know who he was yet.  He asked them, “Children, do you have any fish?”

They told him no, so he told them to, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”

They cast it catching an immense amount of fish.  So many they couldn’t pull it.  This caused the disciple that Jesus loved to call out “It is the Lord!”  Simon Peter heard this, put on his cloak and rushed out to Jesus.  The bible tells us “he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.”

Meanwhile, the other disciples brought in the boat and net.  They were only about a hundred yards out.   When they got to shore, Jesus already had a fire going with fish on it, but he asked them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”

Simon Peter hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.

They had breakfast on the beach with him there.  They knew who he was.  In fact they didn’t dare ask him, “Who are you?” Jesus himself gave them bread and fish to eat.  This was the third time he had revealed himself to them.

Questions

I wonder why John had to write in that the disciples didn’t dare ask “Who he was”. Was it so glaringly obvious it would have been stupid? They why put that in? Just seems odd to me.

Simon Peter, even in his eagerness to see the Lord, took the time to dress properly for him. Makes me think it was ingrained behaviour. Strip down to work, dress to talk to people. Part of me is still surprised though.

Points that hit home

Simon was SO eager to be with the Lord. He didn’t wait a second (beyond dressing) to rush out to be with him. When Jesus asked for more fish, he immediately set out to bring them in. Such eagerness to not only be with his Lord but to meet his every request. I need to ponder on that a spell.

Part of my thinking is this: Peter had lost his Lord to crucifixion. He knew it, saw it, experienced it. And here now was his Lord again. His Lord who just netted them 153 large fish. Peter LOVED the Lord and he was back so of course he was going to spend as much time with him as possible. Of course he was going to do anything Jesus asked.. he was back!!!!!

It would be no different for me if I thought someone I loved was gone forever and then they were back. I want to do dinner, and go for a walk and fetch them a drink. It’s how my love for them would be expressed.

So often I fail to express my love for the Lord in such a manner. I lack that immediate eagerness to be with him, or to do whatever he asks. I’ve allowed myself to become too settled, and too comfortable. I’m supposing this needs to change. I need that eagerness back.

A lesson from Thomas was our last devotional.  Today John 20:30-31

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Looking at Scripture

Oh, aren’t these interesting lines?

We know that Jesus is among the disciples.  Witnessed by a now believing Thomas and the rest. 

Jesus did other signs but we aren’t told about them.  

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

But the ones were told about are for the express purpose of helping us believe in Jesus as the Christ, the son of God.

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

AND so that believing in him we may have life in his name. 

and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Life Lesson

I don’t know about you but knowing that Jesus did other signs just makes me very curious about what they were. I know, it’s silly of me, but it just makes me go “Oh, I wonder what he did”. Wouldn’t it be cool to know what he might have said while doing them.

At the same time, I am comforted. The signs that were written down are sufficient for my belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of my life. I don’t NEED anything more. If I did, it would have been written.

John is clear though… Enough was written down for faith to be realized. What was written was done so in order that we might believe, in fact, that was the whole purpose. Isn’t that great to know?

The bible isn’t just random words you know? It has a purpose. Jesus appearing among the disciples, us knowing that matters! Jesus talking to Thomas.. that matters. It’s part of what helps to form our faith in Jesus as Christ. Not just stories, not just random miraculous events, but events with the purpose of faith formation.

Last time we met our topic was Jesus appearing to the disciples.  Today we’ll be discussing John 20:24-29.

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Turning to Scripture

Now Thomas hadn’t been with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them.  They told him all about it saying  “We have seen the Lord.”

But Thomas didn’t believe them.  His words: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Then it happened, eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.

Again the doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  He did this before when he appeared to the disciples.  Saying to them “Peace be with you”.

Jesus said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas’ belief

I know Jesus told Thomas to put his finger on J and Jesus hands, and to place his hand on Jesus’ side.  But scripture doesn’t tell us that Thomas actually did so.  It just says that Thomas responded with “My Lord and my God!”

I take that as a statement of belief because Jesus asked why he believed?  Was it because he saw Jesus? 

This section closes with a line I like: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Isn’t that a wonderful line?  Thomas knew Jesus, he spent three years living with him.  Listening to him, observing him in the day to day, seeing miraculous things happen and more.  Jesus told him to do something and he believed.  He saw Jesus and believed.

So here we are, some 2000 years later, believing in him.  One whom we haven’t actually seen, yet we know him to be true.  And Jesus calls us blessed. Knowing that makes my heart smile tonight.  It’s a word of comfort as well. 

A Comfort

Why is it a comfort?

There are times when I have doubt in my faith, and I’m certain that I am not the only one who has this struggle.  And yet Thomas, he was with the Lord all that time and yet, he had his moment of doubt.  Remember, we haven’t seen him, and yet we believe.  And the Lord God calls us blessed for doing so.  Hold on to that. 

Do you recall the last time we talked it was about how when Mary met the Lord, she knew who he was when she listened to him say her name?  Today we read from John 20:19-23.

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Looking at Scripture

It’s Monday evening, scared disciples were sitting in a room with the doors locked.  Their concern : fear of the Jews.  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,

Suddenly Jesus was there, standing among them, wishing them peace.    Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

He then proved who he was, showing them his hands and side.  They would have known how he was injured during his crucifixion.  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

Not so amazingly, the disciples were thrilled.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

The Lord Jesus wished them peace again and then said “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

He was going to send them out in the world, just as he was sent.  As the Father sent, so Jesus sends. 

When he said that, he breathed on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Questions and Ponderings

In Acts we are told how the disciples received the Holy Spirit.   They were in a room, breaths of fire came upon them, and they were so filled, ended up presenting the gospel to 1000’s of people.   Yet here we find Jesus breathing on the disciples in a closed room telling them to receive the Holy Spirit.    

I find it interesting that they are two different events. But I’m kinda thinking that one bleeds into the next. Receiving the Holy Spirit as a breathe from Jesus, and then later, having that rush of the Holy Spirit blazingly active.   

Thrills and Steps-Forward

Can you imagine it?   The disciples, sitting all scared in a locked room. And suddenly JESUS is there!  Can you imagine their excitement?   How thrilling it would be to have their loved one among them again.  This thrill is part of the hope Christians have.  Knowing that someday we will see our loved one.  He’ll come back.

I wonder if Jesus threw them for a loop a bit though, telling them he was sending them out just as the Father sent him out.   Then I wonder if they really understood what was going on there.  He twice told them to be at peace… which to me implies excitement or fear.  Peace to you (in my ears) is like saying settle down now, just settle down.  

He was sending them out… Jesus their loved one, suddenly appearing, and telling them he was sending them out.  Telling them to receive the Holy Spirit, breathing upon them.   Then telling them they have the power to forgive (or not).

I don’t know… I feel confused by this passage in the end.   Is this passage saying that WE as believers have the power to forgive and if we refuse to forgive that it’s never going to be? “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”  Doesn’t that sound like a heavy load?   And yet, if we have the Holy Spirit and are living by him, perhaps we would know what needs to be forgiving and what doesn’t?   They are linked in this verse, so before we forgive we aught to be talking to God about it, and then following the leading of the Holy Spirit in regards to forgiveness. 

At least that’s what I think makes sense.  I wouldn’t want to be responsible for declaring something unforgiveable.

What do you think?