Lesson 251 - Senior
Memory Verse
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (I Peter 2:21).
Cross References
I The Third Appearance of Jesus to the Apostles
1. Peter and six others go fishing without success in the Sea of Tiberias, [JHN:21:1-3].
2. Jesus appears on the shore, [JHN:21:4-5].
3. Following His command, the disciples make a miraculous catch of fish, [JHN:21:6-11]; [LUK:5:4-11].
4. "Come and dine," [JHN:21:12-14]; [LUK:1:53]; [PS:34:10].
II The Examination of Peter
1. "Lovest thou me more than these?" [JHN:21:15-17]; [LUK:14:26-27], [LUK:14:33]; [LUK:19:28-34]; [PHL:3:8].
2. Peter's martyrdom is foretold, [JHN:21:18-19]; [1PE:2:21].
3. Peter is rebuked for his question, "What shall this man do?" [JHN:21:20-23].
4. John certifies the truthfulness of all his testimony about Jesus, [JHN:21:24-25]; [LUK:1:2]; [LUK:24:48]; [ACT:1:21-22]; [2PE:1:16].
Notes
The First of Two Miraculous Catches of Fish
It is early in Jesus' ministry, about three and a half years before the incidents mentioned in today's lesson. An excited crowd is stirring around the water's edge. A fishing boat is moving slowly off shore. It anchors. The tumult is silenced by a voice from the deck of the ship, and the people on the beach listen as the Saviour teaches them the Word of God. At the close of the discourse Jesus turns to Simon Peter, the owner of the craft, and says, "Lunch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing," the fisherman remonstrates, "nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net" [LUK:5:4];[LUK:5:5]). Upon obeying the Lord's command Peter receives the greatest thrill of his fishing career. With his net breaking from the multitude of fish, he signals for James and John to pull up alongside. They fill both ships until they begin to sink -- and still there are fish. No doubt Peter has had many strange experiences in his fishing days, but nothing to equal this.
The Call of Peter
This miracle put in the heart of Peter great confidence in the Master, and prepared Peter for the call, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" [MAT:4:19]). Peter followed. It meant something for Peter and the other Apostles to leave all and follow Jesus. Think of these fishermen who probably knew no other livelihood but to fish. To leave those boats, and all the gear equipped for their work; to leave the familiar spots, the beautiful lake that meant pleasure and sustenance; to leave home and family -" were no small things. These men stepped out into a life of faith. But that call, "Follow me," was not an earthly call; it came from the Son of God. No worldly promise accompanied it, save "I will make you fishers of men." The fishermen followed. A change too miraculous to explain took place in the hearts of these men. Jesus said this change was like the wind that "bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit" [JHN:3:8]). Today the same new birth is still given to those who repent and turn from their sins to follow the Saviour.
A Walk of Faith
Peter received a great deal of experience and learned much from the Master in those three and a half years that he followed Jesus. At one time he and the other Apostles were sent out, two by two, to preach the Gospel. They were instructed not to take an extra coat nor any money in their purse, that they might learn to live by faith. Later on, Jesus questioned them about this trip: "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?" [LUK:22:35]). "Nothing," was the answer. This was before the crucifixion. The death of the Saviour seemed to darken the hopes of the disciples, and especially was Peter affected. They seemed like children thrust suddenly from adolescence to adulthood. They were not quite ready to have their Master leave. It is true that the resurrection brought back a certain amount of joy and hope to them, but still they were somewhat bewildered. Jesus had appeared twice to them as they were assembled, but when He left they did not quite know what to do with themselves. They had walked by faith, but with the assurance that their Master was always near.
A Fishing Trip
In their uncertainty Peter said, "I go a fishing." Six others answered, "We also go with thee" [JHN:21:3]). For Peter and his partners, it meant going back to the old trade. To be back at the old trade again no doubt gave them a little more feeling of material security. All night long they threw out their nets, pulling them in time after time. But they caught no fish. Daylight approached, and they headed back toward the shore. On the beach a lone Figure stood silhouetted against the sands. His voice rang out across the water, "Children, have ye any meat?" "No." "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." With this encouragement and the hope of a fisherman in one more cast, they obeyed. They struggled with the net, but were unable to draw it up because of the multitude of fish.
"It is the Lord," said John to Peter. Without waiting to see how they would get the fish to shore, Peter jumped into the water and headed toward Jesus. No doubt Peter's mind went back to that time he had heard the Master's call, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." All the Apostles were in danger of losing sight of the call that Jesus had given them and of going back to their former occupation.
Many today have left their faith and reliance in Jesus and have gone back to the old life -" toiling night and day " but catching nothing. With their nets empty and their souls starved they continue to think that another cast will bring success. Come back, backslider, to the place where your heart loved to pray. The Saviour is waiting to renew the call, "Follow me." Hear Him answer the repenting heart, "Thy sins are forgiven... go in peace."
The Master's Table
The disciples found that upon the coals of fire was fish already cooked. The Master of the sea need not depend upon the fishermen for fish. All things were created by Him and for Him, and He invites all to "come and dine." His table is spread with good things. His ways are above our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Can you trust Him, Peter?
A Choice
Jesus said, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" [JHN:21:15]). On the shore lay 153 beautiful fishes, beside them the net; partially beached near by was the fishing boat, a delight to any fisher-man's heart, and a big part in the livelihood of these men. "Lovest thou me more than these?" With a glance at the fishes and at his Master, Peter replied, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." Deeper probed the Spirit of God into Simon's heart, as Jesus asked the second time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Perhaps with consecrations never again to fail the Lord, Peter replied, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." The next challenge was "Feed my sheep."
Jesus was concerned about His flock. He had fed them the Word of God during His ministry, and now the responsibility was upon those whom He had called to carry on His work. With the call of God comes a great responsibility. To Peter it meant the preaching of the Gospel. To everyone it means a call to serve according to his ability. To some it means a fulltime service in the ministry; to others it means living a Christian life at their work and doing what they can for the Lord each day.
The third time came the question of the Master, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Deeper and deeper went the searchlight of the Spirit until the thoughts and intents of Peter's heart were fully scrutinised. Grieved lest the Lord should not again place confidence in him because thrice he had denied Him, from the depths of Peter's soul came the words, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee."
The Supreme Price
After this confession Jesus revealed unto Peter "by what death he should glorify God." In his last days Peter would be called on to give his life for the faith that he confessed. He could say, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" [1PE:2:21]), and then follow that example unto the end.
"What shall this man do?" This question that sprang from the curiosity of Peter, concerning John, brought a lesson from the Saviour that Peter had yet to learn: "What is that to thee? Follow thou me." For those who would have eternal life, let this lesson be learned: regardless of what anyone else might do, you can make the goal -" you must make the goal!
Questions
1. What were the circumstances surrounding Peter's first call to follow Jesus?
2. In what way was this second fishing trip a departure from that call?
3. How many fishes did the disciples catch this night before they saw Jesus? Afterward?
4. How many of the disciples were present when Jesus appeared to them at this time?
5. Who were the sons of Zebedee?
6. What was their occupation prior to the call of Christ?
7. To what do you think Jesus was referring when He said to Peter, "Lovest thou me more than these?"
8. What did Jesus say of Peter's future?
9. What did Jesus mean by the question, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?"
10. How do the recorded works of Jesus compare in number with those not recorded?