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The Resurrection changes everything – week 5
3 May Peter
Reading: John 21 v. 1-25 |
Peter was a close disciple of Jesus who was a fisherman in Galilee. He had given up his fishing to follow Jesus when Jesus had called him (Matthew 4 vs 18-19). In the years he had been following Jesus he must have learnt and experienced incredible things. However, he had not really taken in the fact that Jesus was going to die. The shock and grief that he must have felt watching Jesus die as a criminal must have truly shaken him. In response he returned to what he knew – fishing. His encounter with the risen Jesus whilst they were fishing changed the direction of his life.
Icebreaker
Options:
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Share with the group about a time when you feel that you failed in something but later were able to overcome that failure to do something that surprised you. For example, failing at school but later achieving something in spite of your teacher’s predictions.
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OR think about well-known people who have achieved amazing things despite a disadvantaged start in their lives.
Context
There are many experiences relating to Peter recorded in the Gospels and then on into Acts. The one that we need to look at which relates specifically to this story is the one when Peter denied knowing Jesus as he was on trial in the house of the high priest. Please read Luke 22 verses 54 – 62.
Q 1: What do you think was going on in Peter’s mind at this point that made him deny Jesus? Why did he weep so bitterly when the rooster crowed? (please read Luke 22 verses 31-34)
In the discussion it is important to identify the shame and sense of failure that Peter must have felt at this point especially after all that he had promised Jesus.
Please Read: John 21 verses 1 – 13
Q 2: Why do you think the disciples were here out fishing on the Sea of Galilee at this time when they knew that Jesus had risen from the dead?
The place was significant as the place where Jesus had called most of them. Jesus had also requested that they return to Galilee (Mt 28 vs 7 and Mk 16 vs 7). When their world had been turned upside down as it has perhaps been for us recently, returning and maintaining familiar activities can be therapeutic.
Q 3: Look at the responses of Peter and John (referred to here as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”) to realising that the man giving instructions on the shore was Jesus. How do you think you might have responded in their situation?
Would they have been more like Peter rushing out of the boat or more like John and those who ensured the boat and fish got to the shore? Do we struggle to understand each other’s different responses to situations sometimes?
Q 4: Can you see any symbolism in the description of their breakfast?
For example, eating fish – Mark 1 vs 16-17, Jesus giving them bread – Luke 22 vs 19
Q 5: The disciples had previously experienced a similar incident when Jesus had instructed them to cast their nets, and they benefitted from a big haul of fish (Luke 5) Jesus referred then to their new mission of becoming “Fishers of men”. In this incident Jesus is also likely to be teaching them about their mission – what could Jesus be teaching about what constitutes effective mission?
You may want to draw out here the contrast between the results of their fishing when they determined where they should fish and the results when Jesus instructed them where to go. Our mission can be ineffective without depending on Jesus through prayer.
Please read John 21 verses 15 – 25
In this part of the passage we come to Jesus’ conversation with Peter. It seems that it is not a personal conversation with Peter, but an exchange in front of the other disciples.
Q 6: Jesus does not address Peter by his nickname “Peter” (see John 1 vs 42) but refers to him by his name Simon. Why do you think this is?
You may want to refer to Peter failing to live up to his boast in front of the other disciples that he would “never fall away” (Matt. 26 vs 33) thereby not living up to his nickname of “the rock”.
Q 7: How did Jesus address Peter’s feelings of failure and shame in front of the others?
Jesus asks Peter to repeat his love for him three times, which is the same number of times that he had denied Jesus.
Q 8: Do you think that Peter felt forgiven by Jesus at this point?
We don’t really know how Peter felt at this point and maybe he didn’t really feel truly forgiven by Jesus until Jesus had commissioned him to care for his sheep. You might want to reflect on what was shared in the ice breaker at this point.
No matter how deep-seated our shame, Jesus can forgive and renew us and then use us in his service. Failure is never final with God. “You ask me what forgiveness means; it is the wonder of being trusted again by God in the place where I disgraced him” Rita Snowden (see 1 Tim 1 vs 12-16 about Paul’s experience of being forgiven)
Question 9: Jesus immediately followed on restoring his relationship with Peter by commissioning him to feed his sheep. Do you think that caring for the church is part of our commitment to Jesus? How can we do this right now?
Q 10: After giving Peter this vast responsibility, Jesus then refers to Peter’s death which he implied here is dying with his hands outstretched i.e. crucifixion. The evidence we have in early church history indicates that Peter did indeed die as a martyr in early Rome. What does this tell us about committing to and serving Jesus?
Q 11: Peter then asked Jesus to tell him about what was going to happen to John in verse 20. Why didn’t Jesus give him a direct answer? Are we sometimes more concerned about what happens to others so we can compare ourselves to them?
Maybe here point out that Jesus emphasises the importance of Peter focusing on following Jesus rather than on what other people’s experience might be.
Conclusion
Peter was transformed by his experience with Jesus here; He was forgiven, restored and commissioned to care for Jesus’ church whilst being warned that this path could be costly. We need to consider ourselves what our commitment to Jesus involves and how being followers of Jesus is so inextricably linked with caring for each other.
Sometimes we can feel that Jesus only asks “perfect Christians” to serve but Peter was not perfect and had even failed Jesus in his hour of need YET Jesus trusted him with a great responsibility. What does this mean for us?
“Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who like you his praise should sing”
From Praise my soul the king of heaven.
Liz Marlow |
Liz Marlow, 27/03/2020
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