John 21:17-25
Q.1. What further point did Jesus make to Peter? Was Christ’s insight unique to Peter? Would Peter stay true to Christ to the end? – (Jn.21:17-19)
After reassigning Peter to his apostolic role, Jesus unfolded his future life. What Jesus told Peter was a comfort, for it indicated that he would persevere to the end of his days. It also revealed that Peter would glorify God in his death – Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God … (Jn.21:19). This would have been a further comfort to Peter after his failure. Jesus also gave an insight for all of us, about ageing – Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you and bring you where you do not wish to go.” (Jn.21:18). He described the independence of Peter in his younger years compared with his reliance upon others in his older years. We will need all our maturity and humility to stay Christlike, when we are led to decisions that we really don’t want to make, and roads that we don’t want to travel. This process applies to all who survive to old age. However, it also informs us that we can choose to glorify God all the way to our end, by keeping the fires of our devotion burning brightly for our Lord and Master.
Q.2. Did Peter’s personality change after he was restored? Who is responsible for each person’s life? How were Christ’s comments about John misinterpreted? – (Jn.21:20-23)
Regeneration changes our heart. Over time, we become more like our Saviour. However, who we are does not fundamentally change. Peter was always quick to speak. Once his relationship with Jesus was normalized, he immediately overstepped the mark again. His inquiry about John was typical of Peter. Jesus reminded Peter that what happened between Himself and John was not of Peter’s concern. – … “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (Jn.21:22). John then clarified a rumour that arose from this conversation with Peter (Jn.21:23).
Q.3. How can we be confident that John’s testimony is reliable? How much greater is the life of Christ than any documentation of His life? – (Jn.21:24-25)
John was one of the three in the inner circle of Jesus. Peter, James, and John were privy to a number of miracles, including Christ’s transfiguration and the raising of the daughter of Jairus from the dead. He was the only one of the Twelve to stay with Jesus through his suffering and crucifixion. As an eye-witness, John knew what he was recording – 1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life– 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us– 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also … (1 Jn.1:1-3). What John explained was that the four Gospels are only selections from the life of Jesus – There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written (Jn.21:25). The Living Word is infinitely greater than the written Word. (Jn.1:1-2,14).