John Bible Study - Lesson 53 (Last Lesson)

John Bible Study - Lesson 53

Last Lesson for the Gospel of John

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 21:15-25 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Reinstates Peter

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John 21:15-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?^[a]”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

¹⁶ Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

¹⁷ A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

¹⁸ “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others^[b] will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

²⁰ Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” ²¹ Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

²² Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” ²³ So the rumor spread among the community of believers^[c] that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

²⁵ Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        After breakfast Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loved Him.

·        Peter declares His love for Jesus 3 times.

·        Jesus reveals to Peter a future for him that included persecution and martyrdom.

·        Jesus rebukes Peter for asking about John’s future.

·        John declares that his gospel was a reliable source for the truth and that not all the details of Jesus’ ministry and all He did were written down in this gospel.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        After Jesus and the disciples finished the breakfast meal Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loved him. Why 3 times? Let’s go back to the night of Jesus’ arrest. After the last supper Jesus and His disciples headed out to the Mount of Olives.  After Jesus tells His disciples that they will all desert Him, Peter declared He would never desert Jesus. Jesus then tells Peter that he will deny Him 3 times. We know that the night of Jesus’ arrest Peter denied being one of Jesus’ disciples 3 times before the rooster crowed:

Matthew 26:31-35 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

³¹ On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike the Shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

³³ Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

³⁵ “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

Luke 22:54-62 New Living Translation (NLT)

Peter Denies Jesus

⁵⁴ So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵ The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. ⁵⁶ A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

⁵⁷ But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

⁵⁸ After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

⁵⁹ About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

⁶¹ At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”⁶² And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

·        We also learn from the above passage that Jesus quotes the Zechariah prophecy about His arrest, death on the cross and the disciples’ desertion on both occasions.  (More proof of fulfilled prophecy)

Zechariah 13:7 Living Bible (TLB)

⁷ “Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, the man who is my associate and equal,” says the Lord Almighty. “Strike down the Shepherd and the sheep will scatter, but I will come back and comfort and care for the lambs.

The point is this: Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to confess his love for Him as many times as he denied Him.

Jesus as a gesture of pure love and compassion for Peter gave him the opportunity to erase the shame of Peter’s denials.

Let’s look at the 3 questions:

The First Question:

Jesus: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Peter: “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

Jesus: “Feed my lambs.”

Here Jesus calls Peter into leadership and to focus on feeding His people. Jesus meant to nourish the people with the gospel, with Jesus words, with hope, with truth. Jesus also wanted people to respond that his love for Jesus far surpassed His love for others.

The Second Question:

Jesus: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter: “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

Jesus: “Take care of my sheep”

The second question being almost the same as the first was a declaration of Peter’s responsibility to care for God’s people.

The Third Question:

Jesus: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter: “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus: “Then feed my sheep”

This third question prompted Peter to clarify His understanding of Jesus’ divine nature, “all knowing”, and tripled down on his willingness to fulfill what Jesus called him to do which was to care for God’s people.

So Jesus reinstates Peter and calls him into leadership.  Peter professed his love for Jesus and a willingness to care for God’s people. Peter’s yes is the defining moment in him becoming a powerful spiritual leader.

Something to think about:

Is God calling you into some ministry? Will you say yes unequivocally?

Remember this: God will equip you if He calls you into the ministry. Every person is given a unique calling from God and it is the Holy Spirit who will give the spiritual gifts to manage the calling form God:

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Living Bible (TLB)

⁴ Now God gives us many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. ⁵ There are different kinds of service to God, but it is the same Lord we are serving. ⁶ There are many ways in which God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work in and through all of us who are his. ⁷ The Holy Spirit displays God’s power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

⁸ To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; someone else may be especially good at studying and teaching, and this is his gift from the same Spirit. ⁹ He gives special faith to another, and to someone else the power to heal the sick. ¹⁰ He gives power for doing miracles to some, and to others power to prophesy and preach. He gives someone else the power to know whether evil spirits are speaking through those who claim to be giving God’s messages—or whether it is really the Spirit of God who is speaking. Still another person is able to speak in languages he never learned; and others, who do not know the language either, are given power to understand what he is saying. ¹¹ It is the same and only Holy Spirit who gives all these gifts and powers, deciding which each one of us should have.

·        So again, Jesus designed His questions perfectly in order to restore Peter and commission him to shepherd His people.

Just like Peter’s commission to shepherd and care for God’s people, followers of Jesus are commissioned to share the Gospel and to do it in a particular way:

Matthew 28:18-20 Living Bible (TLB)

¹⁸ He told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations,^[a] baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰ and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”^[b]

1 Peter 3:15-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. ¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way.^[a] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

The Bible exhorts us to care for God’s people as well:

Philippians 2:4

do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Galatians 6:9-10

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Colossians 3:12

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

God desires to restore us and reconcile us to Himself through the work of Jesus:

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

¹⁸ And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.

Through Jesus we have peace with God:

Romans 5:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

Faith Brings Joy

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Jesus reveals to Peter a future that would include laying down His life for Jesus. When it comes to laying down our lives we can learn from what Jesus did for us:

John 3:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 10:18 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁸ No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

John 10:11 New Living Translation (NLT)

 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

John 15:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

What should our response to Jesus be?

1 John 3:16 New Living Translation (NLT)

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Sacrificial love can be displayed in a variety of ways. We can first decide to die to self-interest because Jesus tells us that denying oneself is one of the most important components of following Him:

Luke 9:23-24 New International Version (NIV)

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it

We have to highly consider giving up the way we used to live:

Ephesians 4:22-24 New International Version (NIV)

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

We need help to live a life set apart to God and that is why we have been given the Holy Spirit as a helper. We also need to know what living set apart looks like and how we can have and maintain a new perspective and attitude that leads to remaining steadfast as a disciple and follower of Jesus. Jesus models for us what it is like to live set apart to God:

Romans 12:1-2 New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 2:1-11 New International Version (NIV)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

How we can maintain our perspective:

Philippians 4:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

How can we put these thigs into practice?

We should do what God’s Word tells us to do:

James 1:22-25 New International Version (NIV)

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

We are told to keep God’s commands because doing so shows love for God:

1 John 5:2-3 New International Version (NIV)

² This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. ³ In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

John 14:15-16 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—

The benefits of obedience to God’s Word:

1 John 2:3-6New International Version (NIV)

³ We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

John 14:23 New International Version (NIV)

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

The benefit of knowing Jesus and receiving a saving faith:

John 10:27-29 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ²⁹ for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.^[a] No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

Romans 8:38-39 New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

More about Peter:

·        The gospel is the center of Peter’s personal and public life

·        Peter’s letters (1Peter / 2 Peter) prove the Holy Spirit’s has the power to transform his life and the life of those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Peter’s topics in his letters include transformation, holiness, and obedience, living for God, suffering, and reminding us to live expecting Jesus to return.

·        Peter asks Jesus about what John’s fate would be.

·        Jesus rebukes Peter for asking about John’s future. Maybe it is to remind us that we all have been given a different path in life to follow. We should concern ourselves where God is taking us individually and spiritually. We should strive to grow in love and faithfulness as we discern how our lives can bring God honor and glory.  God used John and Peter in His own unique way to reveal God’s truth and plans for His people. Most importantly God desires our faith and trust in whenever and wherever He decides to takes us.

My favorite verse is this one:

Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Final note:

I know for me it is important not to lean on my own understanding. I have learned to trust God even when I don’t have all the answers and even while I am in the midst of some kind of turmoil or confusion about what is happening around me. I know I can live with confidence in God’s plan and that to me is real abundant life. I have more security in my understanding of God’s way than in all the ways and things the world has to offer. Although it is tempting to get caught up in worldly things, true satisfaction comes from the things of God because the things of God connect me to the Creator, Designer and Author of Truth of all I see and all I understand. When it comes to the things of God, surrender really means victory. Surrender, submit and obey are words the world attributes to weakness. God tells us these words and actions lead to blessing. If you are ever concerned about being weak remember God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 New Living Translation (NLT)

 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 English Standard Version (ESV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

When it comes to the greatest act of sacrificial love in history, Jesus submitted Himself to God’s plan to be the sacrifice that would pay for our sin. Jesus obeyed God the Father and became our Redeemer. Jesus surrendered His life to save ours. Based on what Jesus has done we can have a new kind of relationship with God. One that is personal and fruitful. One that is filled with Joy in the midst of sorrow. One that reflects a peace that transcends all understanding. One that can know and have assurance about what lies ahead after our physical bodies enter their final resting place. Jesus tells us that He has prepared an eternal place for His followers in Heaven where there is no perception of time or pressure to be anything other than a child of God. Jesus also tells us He is coming back to take us to this amazing place and that we should be prepared for His return.

So that is why we should strive to keep a vertical focus and eternal perspective.

If we live in the horizontal where our emotions and perspective drown God out, it becomes easier to lose hope and we can fail to see that even when life gets difficult, God is still working for the good of those who love Him.

Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Eternally speaking, followers of Jesus will be at peace with God for all eternity in Heaven.  Heaven is a place that we will finally be in perfect relationship with God and where we will enjoy worshiping Him with a great multitude of believers.  Heaven is God’s promise for followers of Jesus and something for them to really look forward to. That is why hope and faith carry so much weight in the life of a follower of Jesus. They can be confidently hopeful in the promises of God because time and time again God fulfills His promises. They can be faithful because their faith is anchored on solid ground not sinking sand.

Yet, there are still those who desire a life and eternity apart from God. They reject God’s offer to rescue them from the consequences of their sin and choose to live life as they see fit. Maybe they don’t fully understand what eternity separated from God means. That is why Jesus talks about the reality of Hell so people would know what awaits those who reject Him. Jesus warns us all about spiritual death and separation from God out of compassion and love for all people.

So, I say this to you; while we are surrounded by fake news that tries to deceive us, and bad news that tries to discourage us, we can all listen to and focus on the good news from God that is filled with truth, love, compassion, grace, and mercy. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. We can be thankful God has offered us the “way” and invitation to enter into His kingdom to experience His glory and unfailing perfect love.

May you be blessed and encouraged to live a life set apart to God. Remember the truth will set you free………Dave

John 8:31-32 New International Version (NIV)

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Pray continuously for others to receive salvation.

·        Let God restore you into a right relationship with Him.

·        Turn away from sin and embrace the forgiveness Jesus paid for.

·        Live with an eternal perspective.

·        Tell others about the hope you have.

·        Give glory to God in everything you do.  

·        Be thankful for all God has done.

·        Continue to study God’s Word

·        Speak the truth in love.

·        Remain hopeful in God’s promises.

·        Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as your self.

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        How will you live now that you know the truth will set you free?

·        Will you pray daily for the salvation of others?

·        Will you strive to live with an eternal perspective?

·        Will you share the hope you have in Christ?

·        What will you do today that will bring glory to God?

·        Will you live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving?

·        Will you spend time more with God and desire a deeper relationship with Him?

·        Will you put on the new-self and live as God desires?

·        Where in your life can you be more obedient to the Word of God?

·        Will you listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to represent the true kingdom of God?

·        Will you consider the needs of others and do good in the eyes of God?

·        How are you loving God and your neighbor?

Blessings…………….Dave