THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

THE LORD QUESTIONS PETER

JOHN 21:15-25

Introduction:

Here is this last portion of the Gospel of John we see the Lord questioning Peter about his love for the Lord. Peter as well as the other Apostles had gone through a great deal of stress during the Lord’s trials and death on the cross. The Lord’s resurrection had caused them to rejoice, but still they had things to learn.

In this portion of chapter 21 we are looking at Peter and his response to the Savior about his love for the Lord.

I. THREE TIMES PETER SAID HE DID NOT EVEN KNOW THE LORD

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.”

A. The Lord’s first question to Peter regarding his love for the Lord, v. 15.

1. Simon Son of Jonas (John), “Do you truly love Me more than these?” v. 15, “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”

a. Jesus speaks to him by name, the more to affect him, Luke 22:31, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”

b. The Lord had called him when he pronounced him blessed, Simon Barjona, Matthew 16:17, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

2. Jesus probably was referring to His disciples, in light of Peter’s proud statement that he never would fall away no matter what others did, Matthew 26:33, 35, “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”

a. Luke records it thus, Luke 22:33, “And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”

b. John records Peter’s words, John 13:37, “Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

3. No matter how great a person is, he may fall, 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

B. The Lord’s second and third questions about Peter love for Him, v. 16.

1. The word “love” in the first two questions is the Greek word “agapao” which “can be know only from the actions it prompts.

a. God’s love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1 John 4:9-10, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

b. This is NOT the love of affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in it objects, Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

2. The word “love” in the third question is the Greek word “phileo” which represents tender affection.

a. It is used for the love of the Father for the Son, John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”

b. It is used for the Believer, John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

II. PETER’S RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONS

A. The first two questions, “Simon, do you love Me?”

1. Peter responds, “Lord, you know very well (suggest fullness of knowledge) that I love you.” 2 Samuel 7:20, “And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.”

2. God knows all of us perfectly, Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

B. Peter’s response to the third question.

1. Peter responds with the same word as before in the first phrase of the statement.

2. In the second phrase the word “know” is different in the Greek meaning “come to know and understand,” John 8:55, “Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.”

3. Feed my Sheep, Psalm 78:70-72, “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From followingl the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.”

CONCLUSION:

The Lord’s questions to Peter were very carefully designed not to shame him. The Lord had waited until they all had eaten and then He posed His questions. This was a teaching session and not a rebuke. Peter had already repented in tears, so the Lord was teaching all of His disciples what needed to be learned from this.

THE JOY OF THOSE WHO ARE FRIENDS OF JESUS

JOHN 15:11-17

Introduction:

You know that good friends are hard to come by. Solomon said in Proverbs 18:24, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Being friendly with the Lord Jesus brings the blessings of God into our lives.

I. THE JOY IN KNOWING JESUS CHRIST

A. Jesus had great joy in pleasing His Father by living a FRUITFUL LIFE, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1. Jesus came TO DO His Father’s WILL, John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

2. Jesus DID NOT COME to PLEASE HIMSELF, Romans 15:3, “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”

B. The PURPOSE of His teaching is to give man an ABUNDANT life, NOT a JOYLESS EXISTENCE, John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

1. He came to SAVE LIFE, John 3:17, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

2. He ENCOURAGES and HELPS the believer, Ezekiel 34:16, “I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.”

C. The commands for His disciples to obey, are for THEIR JOY, John17:13, “And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

1. Unity in serving the Lord brought GREAT JOY, Acts 2:46, “And THEY, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”

2. The REPORT of the CONVERSION of the Gentiles brought REJOICING, Acts 15:3, “And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.”

II. THE JOY OF LOVING ONE ANOTHER

A. This was NOT a request, but a COMMAND, v. 17, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”

B. The STANDARD for that love is Christ’s EXAMPLE, v. 12, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

III. THE JOY OF BEING THE FRIEND OF JESUS

A. Jesus DEMONSTRATED His love, v. 13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

B. God called Abraham “MY FRIEND”, Isaiah 41:8, “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.”

C. Like close friends, Abraham and God COMMUNICATED well with each other, Genesis 18:17, “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;”

IV. THE JOY OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FRIEND JESUS CHRIST

A. A SERVANT does NOT know his master’s business, v. 15, “Henceforth I call you NOT SERVANTS; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you FRIENDS; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

B. We are servants who WILLINGLY and lovingly OBEY our Savior, Romans 6:16, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

C. Jesus reminds us that disciples generally choose their teacher, but in our case HE CHOSE US, v. 19, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

1. He chose His disciples for a mission, Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

2. The Father would answer their requests in order to accomplish that mission, John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

3. Whatever you ask in Jesus’ name WILL BE DONE to fulfill the Father’s will, John 16:23-24, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

CONCLUSION:

There is joy in serving Christ ONLY when the believer is CLOSE TO HIM. His joy reaches us through our fellowship with Him in His service.

Solomon said “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

THE HOUR HAD COME

JOHN 12:20-33

Introduction:

The Lord has progressively worked toward the hour in which He would die for all mankind. Now that hour had come. We have seen Him as he was hailed the King of Israel in the previous verses as he rode upon a donkey into Jerusalem.

Now we see him as He prepares to be betrayed and crucified for our sins.

I. SEEKERS OF THE TRUTH

A. Greeks desire to see Jesus, v. 20.

1. They had come to worship, Mark 7:26-29, “The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.”

2. The Greeks were known to be seekers of truth, John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

3. Remember that Jesus mentioned that He had “other sheep,” John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

B. Jesus recognizes the time, v. 23.

1. Jesus had been moving toward that hour, John 2:4, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.” John 4:21, 23, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 7:5-6, 30, “For neither did his brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. 30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.” John 8:20, “These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.”

2. It was time to glorify the Son of man, John 17:1, “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”

II. A CORN OF WHEAT…

A. Must die to bring forth fruit, v. 24; Isaiah 53:10, 12, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

B. Jesus must die according to prophecy.

1. The Old Testament prophecy, Zechariah 13:7, “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.”

2. The High Priest’s prophecy, John 11:49-53, “And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.”

III. FOR THIS CAUSE COME I TO THIS HOUR

A. The Lord’s soul was troubled, v. 27; Matthew 26:38, “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

1. The sin of our soul was the trouble of Christ’s soul, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2. The trouble of his soul was designed to ease that of our souls, John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

3. He had come to die, John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

B. “Father, glorify thy name,” v. 28.

1. Foremost in the Lord’s mind was to glorify His Father, John 17:1, 4-5, “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

2. God responds to His Son’s prayer, v. 28; John 13:31-32, “Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus came to this earth to glorify His Father by redeeming man from his sin. The Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 12:2 that Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith.” In Revelation 1:8 Jesus says “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.” The Lord has successfully begun and concluded our spiritual need of salvation from sin.

THE HIRELING

JOHN 10:11-15

The hireling appears to be a genuine shepherd. He plays the part well, but in reality, he is just a hired servant who has no real interest or investment in the sheep.

The Lord Jesus on the other hand, has a real interest in His sheep having given His life for them. He leads them with great care.

The hireling is in the business for gain and has no care for the sheep. Observe,

I. THE HIRELING IS NOT THE SHEPHERD

A. He appears to be shepherds, Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

B. He speaks as if he was a shepherd, Romans 16:18, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

1. They speak smooth things, Isaiah 30:10, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:”

2. Their message is false, Jeremiah 8:11, “For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.”

II. THE SHEEP ARE NOT THE HIRELING’S

A. The hireling is self-serving and has scattered the sheep, Jeremiah 23:1, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.”

1. These false shepherds have caused the sheep to go astray, Jeremiah 50:6, “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.”

2. These shepherds have no care for the sheep, Ezekiel 34:6, “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.”

B. What makes them false and self-seeking?

1. They are in it for the money, Isaiah 56:11, “Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.”

2. They undertook the shepherd’s office as a trade, 2 Peter 2:15, “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”

3. They serve their own belly, Romans 16:18, “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

III. THE TRUE SHEPHERD

A. Jesus knows and cares for the sheep, John 10:13-14, “The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

B. We can put our trust in Him, 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

1. He knows our frame, our limitations, Psalm 103:14, “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

a. The Lord is full of compassion, Psalm 78:38, “But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.”

b. The Lord is longsuffering with us, 1 Timothy 1:16, “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

2. He knows the secrets of our heart, Psalm 44:21, “Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”

a. The Lord knows the good and the bad, Ecclesiastes 12:14, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

b. He sees our ways, Job 31:4-5, “Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;”

3. The Good Shepherd knows us so well that He knew that we needed life, John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND

JOHN 6:1-15

Introduction:

The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is the only sign recorded in all four of the Gospels with the exception of the Resurrection. This in itself makes it significant. The Lord is involved in training the Apostles for the work that they would lead in the future in the churches that would be organized after the Lord’s return to the Father.

I. EVENTS OF THE TIME

A. Herod had killed John the Baptist,

Matthew 14:10, “And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.”

B. The disciples had preached throughout Galilee, Mark 6:7-13, 30-31.

1. The Lord had sent them out by twos, v. 7, “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;”

2. Two are better than one, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

3. Jesus gave them power, Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

C. Curiosity about Jesus.

1. Herod thought that John was raised from the dead, Mark 6:14, 16, “And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 16But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.”

2. Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the prophets, Mark 6:15, “Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.”

a. It is interesting that many thought that Jesus was one of the prophets, Matthew 21:11, “And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”

b. Few recognized Him as the Messiah, Matthew 16:13-14, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”

II. THE PLACE

A. The Northeast side of the Sea of Galilee, called elsewhere the lake of Gennesareth, here the sea of Tiberias, John 6:1, “After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.”

B. A great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles, v. 2.

1. Our Lord Jesus, while he went about doing good, lived continually in a crowd, which gave him more trouble than honour.

2. Christ’s miracles drew many after him that were not drawn to him for salvation, John 6:26, “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”

III. THE MIRACLE

A. Where shall we buy bread for these to eat? v. 5, “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”

1. The Lord concern and compassion is seen here expecting them all to eat with Him, John 21:12, “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”

2. Also this was a small test for Philip because the Lord knew what He would do, v. 6, “And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”

B. Andrew speaks up with some doubt, vs. 8-9, “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, 9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”

1. Had they forgotten to whom they were speaking? He is Lord of all, Acts 10:36, “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”

2. The Lord bless the loaves and fishes, v. 11, “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.”

C. Gather up what remains, vs. 12-13, “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.”

1. They filled twelve hand baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, v. 13, “Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.”

2. Here the Lord teaches His disciples that He is more than sufficient for their needs, 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”

D. The Lord is glorified and recognized, v. 14, “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.” Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;”

CONCLUSION:

We as Christians forget so easily what the Lord can do in our lives. Even the Apostles had to be reminded of this event later in Mark 8:17-21 what had happened here.