CONFUSED AND UNSURE OF THE FUTURE
JOHN 21:1-14
Introduction:
The disciples were badly confused after the crucifixion of the Lord. They were scattered as the Lord said they would be, Matthew 26:31, “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” They had gone through some difficult things.
After the resurrection of the Lord and he began to show Himself to the disciples at different times things got better. However, soon after the resurrection some were still at a loss as to what to do.
I. THE DISCIPLES HAD EXPERIENCED A TUMULTUOUS SERIES OF EVENTS
A. The Triumphal Entry, John 12:9-19.
B. The expectation of a New Kingdom.
1. The Jews expected it, John 6:15, When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”
2. The disciples expected it, Acts 1:6-7, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
C. A betrayal by a trusted friend.
1. The Lord knew who it would be, John 13:11, “For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.”
2. The disciples did not know that it was Judas Iscariot, Matthew 26:21-22, “And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me . 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I ? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”
D. Their near arrest, John 18:8-9, “Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 -That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.”
E. The denial of Jesus by their leader Peter, John 18:17, 25. 27, “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not…25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it , and said, I am not…27- Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.”
F. The agonizing crucifixion of Jesus.
1. The various trials of Jesus, John 18:12-13, “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, 13- And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.”
2. Finally His death on the cross, John 19:16-18, “Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. 17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: 18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”
G. The Resurrection.
1. The promise that the disciples did not understand, Mark 8:31-33, “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.”
2. The Joy of the disciples upon seeing the Resurrected Christ, John 20:20, “And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.”
II. SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
A. Jesus had promised to meet His disciples in Galilee, Matthew 28:7, “And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”
B. Peter and the disciples went to Galilee and went fishing not knowing what else to do, vs. 2-3.
1. Some were partners in fishing before, Luke 5:10, “And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
2. So they returned to their trade, but without success, vs. 3-5.