Good morning!

Ready to dig in again? We're finishing Peter's walk through the gospels today, and though I think we could go on for quite some time I believe the study will wrap up again by Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful for your faithfulness!

Please make sure you've spent some time in prayer with your Father, and then read John 21:1-14. Isn't it just beautiful to picture? Simon just didn't know what to do with himself... he was back in his boat and his friends were there with him. Suddenly, a voice called out to them, a voice of provision, a voice saying “Friend”, a voice that was familiar, and yet not a voice that they were expecting to hear.

Do you expect to hear Jesus? Do you hear him, even in your [boat?]

It seems so funny that after all this time no one realized at the start that the voice belonged to Jesus, though it must have been running through their minds. How could they help but remember the last time a voice from the shore had told them to throw their nets to the other side?!? And as soon as one of them (John) dared to suggest out loud that it was the Lord, Peter could stand it no longer. Off came his robe, as he dove head first into the water abandoning even the bounty the Lord had given him behind. He needed to be near Jesus.

Period.

Are you trying to be near Jesus? Or are you trying to be in a boat full of fish? Are you looking for his voice, or for the bounty? Peter wasn't holed up in his house crying about his failures or his circumstances anymore.

He got back in the boat.

I love to stop and just picture Jesus face as he watched Peter dive into that cold water. It just makes you smile, doesn't it. I hope you're falling more and more in love with our Savior... I sure am!

Now let's go on and read as dinner with Jesus and His beloved friends on the seashore wraps up, and Jesus has his last earthly conversation with Peter. Please read John 21:15-18.

There have been so many outstanding messages and interpretations of these verses that I've heard throughout my life, but today we're going to keep it pretty simple. First, it's important to note that Jesus is publicly re-instating Peter. In front of the other disciples, He is addressing and charging Peter specifically. As far as the denial... [case closed.] Jesus had forgiven and and was walking forward. ALL were invited to follow.

Jesus is turning Peter's gaze from the immediate and moving him forward. It was time to shepherd others as well. Peter had learned what it meant to KNOW what he knew. (“And you... who do you say that I am?”). He had learned to LIVE what he knew. (“Come. Follow me. And I will make you fishers of men.”) And now... now it was time to share.

The following would not be any easier, but now Peter knew what he had to do, and he was resolved. And he needed to bring others with him.

I recently heard a missionary say “The only thing you can bring to heaven with you... is another person.” I love that.

Jesus charged Peter, based on his love for JESUS... to feed his children. [Share the word with them.] Jesus told Peter, based on his love for JESUS... to take care of His children. [Look out for their needs! Know... who they say that He is... and shepherd them!] He reminded Peter that these actions needed to be based out of love for Jesus, not based upon circumstances or upon other people. It was worship. It was a natural reflection of what Peter had lived and seen already.

There were lives of others at stake.

Lives of others who... like Peter had... would try to serve themselves.

Lives of others who... like Peter had... would claim to love Jesus and then deny Him.

Lives of others who... like Peter had... would take their eyes off of Jesus and be misguided and misdirected.

So. Was he ready to love them as Jesus had loved him? Jesus loved Peter as a reflection of the love of God. We are to love others this same way. Other people are [not] to be seen as circumstances for us to [handle]. They are to be seen as children that God loves. Period. Are you resolved? The kingdom of heaven is near... and so many people have no idea. The kingdom of heaven is near... and so many people know that in their minds but not in their realities.

There are lives at stake. Follow Him. And take others with you.

Jesus also gave Peter a glimpse of His circumstances here that we don't often see. He let Peter know that he would die for Jesus. I think Jesus knew that Peter could handle that information... now. And handle it he did. I think Jesus wanted Peter to always remember that Jesus KNEW... that Jesus would be with him. That what would happen wasn't a surprise, it was all within His gaze.

What a comfort!

Finally, as Jesus finishes this intimate conversation with Peter, he wraps it up with something that is incredible to me... something that I just love. Please read John 21:19.

Jesus first words to Peter were “Follow me.”

And among his last words.... “follow me.”

Just, follow me. Just like before, no matter what things look like. We're just going further than we've ever been before. Just come. Follow me. And I will make you fishers of men.

For Discussion: Please read Matthew 28:18-20... widely known as the Great Commission. Now let's talk. :) We've watched Jesus ask His disciples to follow Him now throughout the gospels. We heard Him say “Come. Follow me.” We watched him teach the disciples to share that “The Kingdom of heaven is near!” We've watched His personal commission to Peter. And now we're watching one final rally to believers. Really... each commission is very much the same, but also uniquely important. In all, how can we sum up Jesus instructions for how we should live... TODAY? How important is it to draw others into your every step in following Jesus?!? And why?!? Do you feel like the lives of others are truly at stake? And... (for your personal thought and reflection...) What do you plan to do about it? Today?