Dear Family:
The last time I wrote to you I wrote about the big fish story. Although some people only fish for fun, I enjoy fishing but I like to eat fish, too. I don't particularly like to clean them but I do like to eat them. So sence we don't have to clean the big one let's dine out today with:
THE MASTER CHEF
John was a lot like the rest of us. He sometimes forgot important things and I guess, a lot like me when he wrote. Ardyce says when I start writing I don't know when to stop. Before she edits my writings, some of the sentences go on forever. A reader might pass out from lack of oxygen if they truly read the way I sometimes write. Well, here John is closing his book in the 20th chapter, the 30th and 31st verses when apparently he remembered something that was just too good not to tell us. For as you will see not only does he tell us the big fish story but also several other stories as well. Powerfull, wonderful stories that I hope to be able to get your minds stimulated to see all the precious jewels John has put here for us to see.
JOHN 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: v:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
JOHN 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
John says, O' yes there is something else I want to tell you and this is the way it happened:
JOHN 21:2-17 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. v:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. v:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. v:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. v:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. v:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. v:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. v:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. v:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. v:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. v: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. v:13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. v:14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 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. v:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. v:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
This is a long story isn't it, but because of the contents it has to be. Here we find the disciples going back to their old ways, getting bored, confused, discontented. Wondering why did Christ let himself be killed? Why has he left us here alone? What are we going to do without him? Strangely however, only seven of the disciples are here, where are the others? Maybe it has something to do with the number 7 which in the Greek is the perfect number. It is 4 + 3, 4 being cosmos or Gods creation while 3 is deity or the trinity. So 7 is 4 crowned with 3, creation crowned with deity the perfect number. It also means complete or plentitude. In the book of the Revelation John uses the number again when he refers to the 7 churches. That represents all the churches, seven angles, seven candlesticks etc. So who is missing, and where are they? You will remember when Christ had the last supper with the disciples he did two very unusual things. One he washed their feet. What a tremendous impact this must have had on the disciples. You see this was done by the servants as a guest would enter into someone's house after traveling on the dusty roads. It was unheard of for a person of position or power to perform such an act. Christ was demonstrating that service and humility is necessary to be able to really show true love. He said, love the Lord thy God with all thy soul and all thy might, and your neighbor as yourself. Then two, as they were about to eat the supper he took bread and after he had sopped he passed it to Judas. It was considered a great honor for the host to sop with someone at the table. Why would he honor Judas? Could it be that he knew Judas was truly a disciple but that in a moment when his spiritual net was in disrepair he would be used by Satan to betray Him? Could it be that He knew the pain that Judas would suffer for the betrayal? And can you just imagine how Judas must have felt when Christ honored him while he himself knew what he was about to do? Well, here Christ is again when his disciples are doubting, wondering, questioning, meeting them by the sea in the early chilly morning, building a fire and cooking them breakfast. And not only did he cook for them, he served them. Wouldn't it be great to be walking on the sea shore and have Christ say come dine with me? Well, he does. Remenber Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in and sup with him and he with me." Now before you go asking Christ to dine with you, you had better make sure you are prepared for what may follow. You know Peter was the one who was always there saying, I will never deny you, but he did. Peter was the one who cut off the man's ear in the garden but then fled with everyone else. Now Christ is going to teach Peter another lesson.
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. v:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. v:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus asked Peter, do you love me and Jesus uses the greek word agapao for love (which means ardently, supremely, perfectly). This is the same word used in John 3:16 "For God so loved (agapao) the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life", and in John 3:35 "The Father loveth (agapao) the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." Peter answers using the Greek word phileo, Yea Lord thou knowest I phileo (meaning to like, to be fond of, to feel friendship for) thee. Jesus asked Peter again using agapao, and again Peter answers using phileo. Can you imagine how Christ felt here? I just got through dying on the cross for you and you only like me! Isn't that the way it is with a lot of us? Do we really agapao him or do we only phileo him. Jesus wants us to agapao him. I don't know how we can do that unless we really get to know everything about him. Can you imagine telling your mother, father, wife, son or daughter, yes, I phileo you. Christ wants our agapao. Then finally the third time Christ said, Peter phileo thou me, then Peter got it and his heart was broken for he then knew that Christ knew that his love was only phileo. Christ was preparing Peter for service. Notice Christ first said "feed my lambs," new born Christian, then "feed my sheep," maturing Christians, but never did he say feed my flock "the church." What a crushing blow this must have been to Peter to know that he had missed the mark of excellence. For you see this is the same Peter (the rock) who said "Thou art The Christ The Son of The Living God." And Christ said, "upon this rock (Christ the Son of the Living God) I will build my church." It was Peter's revelation that Christ would be the Cornerstone and Peter the builder, but now Christ has shown him that maybe he can only be a helper. Do you think Peter learned to agapao Christ? Sure he did, and only then was he ready for service.
2KI 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
ACT 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
EPH 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
1TI 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1PETER 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind
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