Tag: John 21
John’s assigned purpose!
Scripture reading for May 5: John 21
“”Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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.” John 20:30-31 “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. 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.” John 21:24-25
John was the youngest of Jesus’ disciples and the disciple who Jesus loved. John was assigned the task of taking care of Jesus’ mother by Jesus from the cross. John was also assigned the task of writing down the Gospel record of the book we have just read. John’s world view had been shaped by being with Jesus and following Him as the resurrected Christ now for many years. As he summarized the purpose of his book, his focus was on helping us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John knew that knowing Jesus in this manner would open up each person’s world view to include eternity. The greatest gift of Jesus is eternal life in God’s forever family. John’s purpose was clearly stated.
John also told how he had personally born witness to the things that he wrote down in his Gospel. He proclaimed the truth of his testimony. He also stated that his record was very limited. John proclaimed another ‘truth’ about Jesus. If all the things that Jesus said and did were to be written down, the world itself could not contain all the books that would be written! This is an amazing statement from John’s heart and world view!
Have you explored John’s purpose in writing this Gospel record of the life and miracles of Jesus? How has John’s world view affected your own understanding of Jesus’ ministry and life? If you wrote a book, what purpose would you state for writing it?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for assigning John the task of writing down some of the signs that Jesus Christ did on earth. Thank You for desiring all come to believe and John’s same focus. Use me to invest my life with that same purpose–that all might have eternal life in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
“Do you love Me?”
Scripture reading for May 4th: John 21
Key Scriptures for over-comers: John 21:15-16 “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.”
More than talent, gifts, or sacrifice, Jesus wanted to know if Peter really loved Him. Love is the key ingredient to being a disciple of Jesus. God is “Love” and Jesus knew that without love, Peter would not be able to perform his assigned ministry as an apostle. Peter was to feed the ‘lambs’ and care for the ‘sheep’ of Jesus! His job was that of an under-shepherd. Peter had denied Jesus three times and now Jesus asked Peter to affirm his love three times. Peter indeed did affirm his love and Jesus then gave him a word of knowledge about how he would eventually give his life for the cause of Christ! True love is willing to give all we have, including our life-blood, for the Master and those who need to know Him!
Observations for over-comers: Love and obedience go hand in hand! If we truly love Jesus, we will feed and care for His sheep and lambs and obey His call on our life! “Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full.” (Psalm 31:23)
“Feed My Sheep!”
Scripture reading for May 5th: John 21
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.” (John 20:30-31) John’s purpose was to help people know Jesus Christ as the Son of God and find eternal life. He closes his account with a final story about Jesus restoring Peter and encouraging the disciples before His ascension.
Peter and James and John plus two other disciples had decided to go out fishing. They had fished all night and had caught nothing. Early in the morning, they saw a figure on the shore who called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No!” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul in the net because of the large number of fish.” (John 21:5-6) John told Peter that it was Jesus, and Peter swam to meet Him. He asked for some of the fish, although Jesus had a fire with fish already cooking on it! Jesus was a master fisherman and The Master who fished for men!
This was the third time Jesus had appeared to these men after His resurrection. He asked, “Simon, Son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15) Peter said simply, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Jesus then asked Peter to feed His lambs. Jesus repeated this question two more times and Peter affirmed his love for Jesus as many times as he had denied Him. Jesus then prophesied how Peter would glorify God in death and invited him to “Follow Me!” Peter would be a shepherd and a fisher of men!