Moments to Ponder
Pondering is a lost practice today.
The idea that we might actually take a few moments to think deeply about anything seems indulgent in our busy, full schedules. Yet, our souls crave rest and space to breathe, process our lives, choices, and walk with Jesus. I invite you to join me fora few moments to take in Scripture and take away a few thoughts to ponder throughout your day.
Moments to Ponder
Episode 150: Faith After Failure (John 21)
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"Do you love me more than these?" The question hangs in the air between Jesus and Peter, standing by a charcoal fire on the shores of Galilee—the same type of fire where Peter had denied his Lord three times. This isn't a coincidence but a divine appointment for healing and restoration.
The final chapter of John serves as a powerful epilogue where loose ends are tied together concluding with Jesus addressing our tendency toward comparison. When Peter asks about John's fate, Jesus redirects: "What is that to you? You follow me!" It's a powerful reminder that we each have our unique journey with Christ.
Take time today to ponder: Where might Jesus be asking you to cast your nets differently? How is he inviting you to bring what you have and join his work?
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Hey friends, welcome to Moments to Ponder. This is a podcast designed to help you spend a few moments in God's Word, gain fresh perspectives and find meaningful takeaways to ponder throughout the week. If you enjoy this episode, if you learned something today, please consider following the show, subscribing on your favorite podcast platform or leaving a five-star review. This helps the podcast more than I could say and it would mean the world to me. I'm Betsy Marvin and this is Episode 150. I'm Betsy Marvin and this is Episode 150.
Speaker 1:Have you ever read the last page of a book to find out if it's worth reading? My husband thinks this is so wrong, but if I'm reading a fiction paper book, I almost always skim the last few pages. I need to know if the ending is worth the time to read the whole book. However, I don't read the epilogue. I read the last few pages of the last chapter. For me, the epilogue is like that last bite of dessert and I'll wait for that and I'll wait for that.
Speaker 1:The purpose of an epilogue is to reveal how the lives of the characters played out, to give closure for the reader. I just finished a large series of books and thankfully, the author wrote such a wonderful epilogue into the final chapter. It was like icing on the cake. After investing so many hours reading the books, it was so satisfying I had to just sit in it for a while and take in all the strings that were tied together the evil that was conquered, the lives that were saved, and that's this last chapter in the book of John. It's the epilogue. Evil has been conquered, lives have been saved. But there seems to be a couple things that still need to be said so that the reader knows how specific stories played out, especially for two of the disciples, peter and John himself. Two of the disciples Peter and John himself.
Speaker 1:As we begin this chapter, the disciples are in Galilee, where Jesus told them he would meet them. According to Matthew's gospel. We begin at verse one. Later, jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.
Speaker 1:Several of the disciples were there Simon Peter, thomas, nicknamed the Twin Nathaniel, from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples. Simon Peter said I'm going fishing, we'll come too. They all said so. They went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn, jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn't see who he was. He called out fellows, have you caught any fish? No, they replied. Then he said throw out your net on the right hand side of the boat and you'll get some. So they did, and they couldn't haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.
Speaker 1:A miraculous catch of fish Kind of sounds familiar. Right, commentators have so many ideas as to why these guys head out to fish, but I'm not so sure this is in here because of the fishing. There is a metaphor underneath this part of the story. By listening to the voice of Jesus, the disciples were able to do more than they were doing by themselves. Jesus was reminding them that without him, their nets are empty, and with him their nets were overflowing. When we listen and do what Jesus directs us to do, we are able to do more than we can ask or imagine because of the spirit in us. It's not about the fishing. It's about guidance and obedience. The simple lesson for us is that when we hear his voice and obey his leading, we are more likely to receive the wonder of what he has for us. Yes, it's an amazing catch of fish and it will take care of them for a long Verse 7.
Speaker 1:Stripped for work, jumped into the water and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them fish cooking over a charcoal fire and some bread. Bring some of the fish you've caught. Jesus said so. Simon, peter went aboard and dragged the net to shore. There were 153 large fish and yet the net hadn't torn. Peter, still impulsive, leaves the others to do the work. He only has eyes for Jesus. It reminds me of Mary as Martha did the work. Peter is just focused on being with Jesus. So as Peter swims the 100 yards to shore, I can just see the others shaking their heads, not surprised.
Speaker 1:As they all finally come to shore, a very wet Peter included, they discover that Jesus has made them breakfast over a charcoal fire. Jesus, still a humble servant, he took the trouble to prepare the fire and cook for them after a night of fishing, and the disciples would have been so hungry. And here is Jesus meeting their need. And Jesus even says bring some of the fish you just caught. That's kind of an interesting invitation, isn't it? I mean, yes, they caught 153 fish, which of course they would share, but if you think about it, jesus doesn't really need their catch. He is able to provide all they need, yet he asks them to add to his meal. The one who rose from the dead, the one who is in the beginning with God, the one who is able to do all things, invites them to bring what they have and join what he has provided. Do you see the underlying piece there? Jesus doesn't need it, but he invites us to join in his work, to bring what we have to add to what he is doing. Jesus is able to do anything, yet he wants us to join him to bring what we have and help him provide for others. Yes, he could do it, but his desire is for us to work with him in it.
Speaker 1:Verse 12, now come and have some breakfast, jesus said. None of the disciples dared ask him who are you? They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. Why, after three years of doing life together, are they back to asking who are you, even though they didn't say it out loud. I mean, they've seen him already in the upper room, they've touched him, but they're still in wonder.
Speaker 1:I think this is an indication that there was something unusual about the appearance of Jesus after his resurrection. I mean, I have no idea what, but in some way he was different enough that, although their hearts knew it was him, their eyes made them wonder. And I could just picture them as Jesus serves the fish and bread around the small circle of disciples. I see them with their heads down as they eat, trying not to stare at the scarred hands that's breaking their bread. Their bodies are tired. As the sun rises, the fog is clearing over the Sea of Galilee and I think it was silent, each lost in their own thoughts of what Jesus would do or say. Each lost in their own thoughts of what Jesus would do or say. And it's interesting that John notes not only the number of fish they caught, but that Jesus cooked them over a charcoal fire. As Peter was warming himself by this fire, was he remembering the last charcoal fire he stood by, the one where he denied Jesus? Was Thomas staring at his feet, wondering how he could have even dared to ask for proof Was John just trying to take it all in?
Speaker 1:And now we come to what may be one of the reasons for this epilogue, beyond the fishing lesson, it's a conversation between peter and jesus. Imagine jesus standing up, brushing off the crumbs and wiping off his hands and motioning to peter hey, let's go for a walk along the shore. After a moment, john gets up to follow, just in case he's needed. And this is what he hears. Verse 15, after breakfast, jesus asked Simon Peter, simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, peter replied you know I love you. Then feed my lambs, jesus told him. 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 A third time. He asked him Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was heard 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.
Speaker 1:If you remember, during the Last Supper, peter claimed to love Jesus more than any of the other disciples and that he would give his life for Jesus. And then, a few hours later, the denials come. So the first question Jesus poses do you love me more than these? As they're looking at the other disciples, it harkens back to that moment, at the last supper. Jesus is giving him a chance for a do-over. Do you really love me more?
Speaker 1:As the questions come, a different word for love is used by Jesus than by Peter, and then it's followed by a command. So to rewrite this in the words that would give definition to the words of love, it might read like this Simon, do you love me with your whole heart, even more than your fellow brothers here? Yes, lord. Peter answered you know I have great affection for you. Then feed my lambs, simon. Do you love me with your whole heart? Yes, lord, you know I have great affection for you. Then take care of my sheep, simon. Do you have great affection for me? Lord, you know everything. You know I have great affection for you. Then feed my sheep.
Speaker 1:Notice that in this exchange, jesus calls him Simon, not Peter, and he's giving Simon a chance to declare a wholehearted, unconditional, agape love for him. Yet, in his knowledge of his weaknesses, simon is saying I have phileo, love for you, I have great affection. And Jesus meets him in his honesty. Three denials three questions, three commands. Jesus sees his Peter, his rock, within Simon, and he's giving Peter the opportunity to claim his devotion three times, putting a new memory in place over the three times he had failed.
Speaker 1:Yes, peter was forgiven for his betrayal, but he still needed to heal. He needed to set aside that guilt so that he could be fully given to the new calling that Jesus was giving him in this moment the feeding and tending of Jesus's flock. Jesus is calling Peter to be a shepherd for his church, the pastor. Jesus doesn't ask if Peter's sorry or if he'll promise to stand firm going forward. Instead, he challenges Peter to love deeply. Can you see it? Can you see the correlation for us In his amazing love? He asks us the same question and he meets us where we are, so that we can heal, so that we can begin to walk into what he has called us to and set aside guilt and shame. Begin to walk into what he has called us to and set aside guilt and shame. Peter is us and Jesus is saying you get to be forgiven, wash clean and do what I have made you to do, but it's going to require you to love with all of your heart.
Speaker 1:Jesus continues to Peter in verse 18. He says 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're old, you will stretch out your hands and others will dress you and take you where you don't want to go. Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him follow me. As John wrote this many years after Peter's death, he knew that Jesus' words in this moment were fulfilled, these words that he told Peter that morning. He continues in verse 20.
Speaker 1: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? Peter asked Jesus, what about him, lord? Jesus replied if I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me. So the rumors spread among the community of believers 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? After this amazing conversation with Jesus and the three questions and commands, peter does what so many of us do compare. So if that's mine, then what's he got to do? As he hears the challenge and the truth of what is to come, peter deflects. He asks what about him? Comparison, fairness, competition we hear it there. But we see two things. First, jesus tells Peter to basically mind his own business. And second, we see that Jesus is telling Peter you have to walk your own journey, what I have called you to. Don't worry about the call of others, just follow me.
Speaker 1:In these verses we also see the other reason for the epilogue Jesus's words about John. In verse 23, we see that a rumor had been spread among the believers that John wouldn't die, and John wants to make it perfectly clear that this is not what Jesus meant. He was only telling Peter not to worry about John's calling, but so many thought John would never die, so he has to put that to rest. And now we've come to the final two verses in this book, verse 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. 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. John is acknowledging that he is the one who is testifying and then it says and we know that his account, so the inference is that others have also proved that his account is accurate no-transcript.
Speaker 1:After 31 episodes, this is the end of this incredible book of the Bible and over the course of all of this, I hope you've been able to see the purpose of this book. It's twofold. First, that you may believe in Jesus. That you may believe in Jesus. John wrote the word believe over 100 times in this book, and never as a noun. Each time it's used it's a verb, it's an active thing.
Speaker 1:John shared all the signs and teachings so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. John's second purpose is so that your life may be changed through Jesus Christ. John's words are so clear. The word became flesh and all the books of the world can't contain his story. But why? Well, because the story continues. Ultimately, our lives are meant to be the books people read so that they can come to know Jesus. Our lives, by the power of the Spirit will reach farther than any written book.
Speaker 1:Dear one, this has been quite a journey, hasn't it? From in the beginning was the Word to the crucifixion and resurrection. It is the greatest true story ever told. Jesus was sent and he accomplished his mission on earth, proving that he is the son of God and lives today. The disciples were sent, they did their mission Peter the shepherd, john the witness and it's been passed on for us to continue this mission, whatever part we're called to play, so that others may know the love, hope and life found in Jesus. That's the whole point to show who Jesus is, how the disciples learned from him and how we can now learn from them and continue the work they began.
Speaker 1:It won't be easy, but remember what Jesus said in chapter 16. You will have trouble in this world, but take heart, I have overcome the world. Thanks be to God, amen. Thank you for taking this journey through John with me. 21 chapters over 31 episodes. It has taught me so much and I pray that it has taught you something as well. I will take a few weeks to pause and pray over our next series together. If you're a subscriber, you'll have the benefit of receiving a notification when the new series begins, so I encourage you to connect. In the meantime, may you continue to ponder the words of scripture for yourself, taking the time to ask God what do you want me to know and what do you want me to do? Until next time.