Bible Study - Hope (5) - Hope Renewed - John 18:15-18, 25-27; 21:15-19 - May 18, 2014

Bible Study – Hope (5) – Hope Renewed – May 18, 2014

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Let Hope In.”

Our focus scripture is John 18:15-18, 25-27; 21:15-19.

When you fail, JESUS will restore you.

Strange as it seems, failure often is the path to success. Most inventors and entrepreneurs fail but when they learn from their failures and keep pressing forward they find success. Christians may feel as if they have failed at the Christian life. They have a choice, to either give up or confess it and seek the LORD’S guidance to do better.

I know in my early walk with CHRIST, I felt that I had to live the Christian life in my own strength. I was doomed to fail. In my early years I thought if I was in fulltime ministry that, in essence, I would be paid or forced to walk the straight and narrow. But looking back, that would have been a disaster. Why? It was simply because my heart was the problem. Was I a Christian? Yes but I was clinging to my old way of life and trying to live the Christian life as I thought it needed to be lived. All along CHRIST’S desire was for me to relinquish my will and life, like it was, and allow HIM to rebuild it accordingly from HIS perspective and plan.

When I relinquished my will into HIS hands my life changed dramatically. But even during that time of being secure in the power of CHRIST in my life, I thought I could walk through Hell itself and come out without the smell of smoke but I found out differently. Spiritual arrogance can lead to trouble. Christians must never take their eyes off of JESUS. But GOD used that period in my life to show me how vulnerable I was and to tear down some notions in my Spiritual life and rebuild it. HE allows certain things to come into our lives that appear to hurt us only to discover later that HE meant it for good and for us to rest in the assurance of HIS protective care. Let’s explore!

Let’s consider the Apostle Peter’s walk with CHRIST leading up to our focus scripture. Peter was a man of action.

Matthew 26:26-35: (JESUS instituted the LORD’S Supper.)

26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is My body.” 27 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, from this moment I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in My Father’s kingdom with you.” 30 After singing psalms, they went out to the • Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Predicted

31 Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will run away because of Me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 32 But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!” 34 “I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!” 35 “Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.

The Apostle Peter was ready to fight as we read in the next scripture.

John 18:10:10-11:

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s • slave, and cut off his right ear. (The slave’s name was Malchus.) 11 At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Sheathe your sword! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

I believe that the response of JESUS likely confused Peter. Peter like the other disciples thought JESUS was going to establish an earthly kingdom. Peter was ready to fight, which he demonstrated by using his sword to cut off the right ear of Malchus. JESUS healed Malchus’ ear. That likely blew Peter’s mind.

Often, when we have created in our own minds that we know what the truth is and it fails, it is a serious blow to our belief system. We read of the commitment of Peter to JESUS leading up to HIS arrest. Peter stayed close to JESUS as JESUS was accused and questioned. JESUS had told him that he would deny HIM three times before the cock crowed that morning as we read in our focus scripture.

The Apostle John went with JESUS. Notice John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Let’s read John 18:15-18:

15 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple (John). That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. 16 But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” “I am not!” he said. 18 Now the slaves and the temple police had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself. Jesus before Annas 19 The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the • synagogue and in the •temple complex, where all the Jews congregate, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. 21 Why do you question Me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” 22 When He had said these things, one of the temple police standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” 23 “If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit Me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Notice in verse 22 that the temple police slapped JESUS. Yet, JESUS did not retaliate and neither did GOD come to HIS defense. This must have been another reason for Peter to question what was going on.

Let’s read John 18:25-27:

Peter Denies Jesus Twice More

25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of His disciples too, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” 26 One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” 27 Peter then denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed. 

Luke 22:60-62 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

JESUS had told Peter that he would deny HIM three times before the rooster crowed.  When the rooster crowed Peter knew that JESUS knew that he had denied HIM three times. This likely penetrated Peter’s heart like a sword. Peter may have thought “Why didn’t JESUS use HIS special power from GOD to defend Himself?”  “I cannot believe that JESUS did not come out swinging when that guard slapped HIM. Or why didn’t GOD defend HIS Son JESUS?” When our superstars don’t perform like we think they should, we lose confidence in them. Did Peter’s belief system fail? Yes, because Peter built it upon notions. He thought that JESUS was going to establish an earthly kingdom. Truth never fails. JESUS made it clear that HIS Kingdom was not of this world at this time but later it would be.

Christians must know GOD’S Word, the Bible, by studying themselves to dispel myths, notions, to discern and rightly divide GOD’S Word. Christians are not to sit under a teacher, pastor or Bible study leader who does not teach truth. The Holy Spirit will help them to discern truth but they must take action by studying the Bible to confirm truth.  

GOD’S ways are not our ways and HIS thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Any of us can build our relationships on false notions and when those notions are exposed as false it shakes our faith foundation. But when we open our hearts door to these notions, we are the ones who let them in because we did not seek truth in CHRIST and study HIS Word.

We notice that the crowing of the rooster was a Spiritual wakeup call for Peter. Matthew 26:75: adds additional information:

75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, " Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

This is a critical statement regarding Peter. He knew that JESUS knew before hand that he would deny HIM, not once, not twice but three times. We do not know all of the emotions that must have flooded Peter’s mind but a strong, determined man like Peter weeping was telling. His denial hit him very hard. When that happens in a person’s life it results in some serious self examination and processing of information hopefully in search of truth. CHRIST’S desire is for HIS chosen to be on a firm Spiritual foundation which may mean being challenged to redefine our relationship with HIM based upon truth. Remember HE knows our hearts.  

Our focus scripture fast forwards through the trial, crucifixion, death and burial of JESUS leading us to the events after the resurrection of JESUS. JESUS had appeared to HIS disciple twice and this was HIS third appearance to them. Notice that it was Peter who stated that he was “going fishing.” Many folks can do a lot of thinking when fishing, especially when you fish all night and do not catch anything.

Let’s read the scripture leading up to the focus scripture in John 21:1-14:

JESUS’ Third Appearance to the Disciples

1 After this, Jesus revealed Himself again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself in this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Men,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. 6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” He told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 Therefore the disciple, the one Jesus loved (John), said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around him (for he was stripped) and plunged into the sea. 8 But since they were not far from land (about 100 yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter got up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish —153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Seven of JESUS’ disciples were identified but others could have been present, just not interested in going fishing. These disciples were gathered. It could have been all of them who were together. Anyway had they gathered together to discuss what to do? JESUS had been crucified, buried and resurrected but HE had not established HIS Kingdom. Where did they fit into JESUS’ plan? Peter seems to have come to a conclusion, “I know what I will do, I am returning to what I know best fishing.” I love this next statement by JESUS. I think JESUS has a great sense of humor.

“Men,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“You don’t have any fish, do you?” “NO!” “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” He told them, “and you’ll find some.”

They did and they caught net full of large fish. They had returned to what they knew best, fishing and failed. When they were obedient to JESUS’ command, they were successful. They caught fish. His disciples were at a critical turning point in their lives. Were they to return to what they thought they knew best, fishing or be obedient to JESUS?

JESUS knew that HE had to counsel with Peter. But did HE equally need to counsel HIS other disciples? Keep in mind that this was the third appearance HE made to HIS disciples. Was Peter a linchpin? HE knew that Peter was a strong leader.

Notice in verse 11, “Peter got up.” He got up from where and why? Let’s go back to the original calling of Peter as recorded in Luke 5:4-10:

4 When He (JESUS) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.” 6 When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” 9 For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they took, 10 and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners.

Did Peter fall at the feet of JESUS again because of his denial of JESUS?

Notice in verse 13, Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. Did JESUS do this to remind them of the night HE instituted what we call the LORD’S Supper and a reminder of the new covenant JESUS established by the shedding of HIS blood?

Let’s continue with our focus scripture.

Let’s read John 21:15-19:

15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) Me more than these (fish, fishing equipment or fellow disciples, I think fishing stuff.)?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love (philo) You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. 16 A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love (philo) You.” “Shepherd My sheep,” He told him. 17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (philo) Me?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love (philo) Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love (philo) You.” “Feed My sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “•I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”

Notice that JESUS called Peter by his original name “Simon.” Peter likely thought he was unworthy to continue as a disciple of JESUS. Each time JESUS asked Peter the question “Do you love ME” his positive response was redemptive. Look at verse 19 “After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”

Agape love is self-giving love. It is a love that does not demand anything in return. Philo love is friendly or brotherly love. Peter could not bring himself to say that he loved JESUS with self-giving agape love. JESUS asked him two times if he loved HIM with self-giving love and Peter could not say that he did. Peter always responded that he loved JESUS as a brother. The third time JESUS asked him if he loved HIM like a brother. JESUS met Peter on his terms but JESUS knew that there would be a time when Peter would agape HIM when he told him about his final days of his life. Yes, he would give his life in obedience to serving JESUS.

Many Christians may fall but the key is when they do and repent, do they learn from their mistakes/sins. When Christians learn from their mistakes/sins, it makes them more humble, watchful and cautious. It is GOD’S way of getting them to focus their attention upon HIM, HIS strength and HIS care rather than them focusing upon their strength and abilities as they journey through life. Any of us, as Christians, can get too big for our Spiritual britches. We must focus upon Spiritual truth and not notions.

No Christian is beyond falling and when they think they are beyond falling, that spells trouble and they should immediately ask for prayer and seek support. Satan is alive and well and he will find that certain area where he can attack. So be vigilant because as recorded in 1 Peter 5:8-9: 8 Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. Notice this scripture was written by the Apostle Peter. Stay vigilant. Blessings!!!