Update

All lessons written in the study of the Gospel of John have now been copied to my new domain AnchorMyFaith.com along with the index to the lessons. To view this index go here.

At that domain location you can view the lessons being written for a single story line through the four gospels. Take a look by going here.

It has been so encouraging to see the number of readers from many countries continue to grow. It is my prayer that God will bless them with the Word of God as they read; that they will grow spiritually as they study. It is my prayer that any needs that they might have will provided in such a way that it will draw them closer to the Lord Jesus. I pray specially for those who live in areas of persecution. I pray for their protection, encouragement, endurance and steadfastness of faith. You are an encouragement to us here in the west.

Reminder

Lesson #343

This is the last post to this blog. All future post will be made to anchormyfaith.com, not to anchormyfaith.blogspot.com. All of the gospel of John Bible studies are now available at that location. That is also where the gospel harmonization Bible studies are being posted. If you haven’t already visited that website, please do so now using the above link.

It is my prayer that you have found these Bible studies helpful. 

The End of a Great Study (John 21:24-25)

Lesson #342

On February 22, 2015, we started this study and now over two years later we are looking at lesson #342, the last lesson. We have two verses to cover to close this study: “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true” (John 21:24 ESV). It is understood that “the disciple who is bearing witness about these things” is John. He is the disciple who Jesus loved (John 21:7) and is a firsthand witness of the ministry of Jesus. The things he saw Jesus do and say, he has written them down for us to learn from. He and others who were with him declare that these things are true.

In addition to the things John wrote about “. . . there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 ESV). As the Son of God, Jesus has always existed and has done many things. The sum total of all things done by an infinite being would, if written down, fill a very large space.

We have come to the end of our study, but just a few more words about what is next. I have not taken this task of deciding lightly. I knew it would have to be another verse by verse study of a book of the bible, but which book? There are so many good choices. As I looked at various possibilities I kept thinking about a gospel harmonization. A search of the Internet for source material produced several ideas, but the one that stood out for what I wanted to accomplish was the work done by Jerry Peyton and copyrighted in 2015 by Jerry Peyton and Biblical Studies Press L.L.C. Follow this link to review “The NET Bible Synthetic Harmony of the Gospels - Study Edition”. I am carefully reading through his materials and to be sure I understand his results I am developing a parallel version of his work using the ESV translation. This work is for my own personal use in establishing the background I feel I need. The order of verses selected for our Bible studies comes from his work found at the link above. You may follow his work to see where the order of verses is coming from. I will say more about this at the beginning of our study, titled, “Gospel Harmonization Bible Studies.” These studies can be found at AnchorMyFaith.com, starting Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

At that website you will find many lessons from our study of John there. As time permits, the entire study will be duplicated there. I have noticed that many of you have already started coming to the new website.

Prayer

Father, this has been an exciting adventure to look at each verse in the Gospel of John and write something about it; nearly 210 thousand words it total. I have learned much from this study and seen my life change as a result. Father, I look forward with great anticipation to our next study. I pray for the health and strength to endure the many years it will take us to complete that study. 

Lord, What About Him? (John 21:20-23)

Lesson #341

After helping Peter through his guilt over his denial and telling his how his life would end, “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”” (John 21:20 ESV). Jesus told Peter to follow him. It appears that John also gets up and follows Jesus, but behind Peter. Peter turns around and sees John following them. Since Peter knew how he was going to die he wanted to know how John’s life would end: “When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” (John 21:21 ESV).

That was none of his business and “Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”” (John 21:22 ESV). Jesus wanted Peter to keep his focus on following him and serving him, not in knowing what might happen to someone else. This is also a warning to us as it is easy to get distracted by other things and allow our focus to drift away from doing kingdom work as we follow the Lord’s lead.

Another concern is over the statement “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This was not a statement about John not dying, but simply used to emphasize to Peter to mind his own business and stay focused. This is a warning to us to be careful not to lift a verse out of its context and draw some conclusion that was not intended. This is how false doctrine gets passed around, as we see in the next verse: “So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:23 ESV).

It seems natural to compare ourselves with others so as to make some kind of assessment of our importance. For example, one day a dispute arose among the disciples as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves” (Luke 22:25 – 26 ESV). It is natural to feed our pride by accomplishing all we can and gathering the best things we can around us. As a result, I have envied those who are more gifted than me who can accomplish more than I can, but during the last two years of writing Bible studies, I have come to realize, with Paul, that my accomplishments and abilities are of little importance. That which I accomplish in the world will all pass away, but that done for the kingdom as assigned to me (Ephesians 2:10) will last forever. I find that my abilities are not all that important either and have come to understand that they set limits to what I can do or not do. That is God’s way of keeping me focused on his will for my life. If he wanted me to do more or something different then he would have gifted me differently. I have also learned that what is much more important is learning to form a partnership with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As I am crucified with Christ it allows Jesus to life his life in me more fully and as I am broken before him he can use my brokenness to touch the lives of many around the world. As I seek the mind of Christ and study the word, I am nourished by it and guided by the Holy Spirit in writing these lessons. The Holy Spirit then draws people to read them to the glory of our Father. Writing these studies in partnership with Jesus and the Holy Spirit and maintaining my website so people can access them is where I believe God wants me during this later season of my life.

We have just two verses left, but I want to leave them for the last lesson because they provide an opportunity to write about out next study and new website, which is anchormyfaith.com.

Prayer

Father, I hope in future studies to spend some time looking at the kingdom work we are called to do. Peter looked back and asked Jesus about John. Jesus made it very clear that he didn’t need to know, but that he was to stay focused on his assignment and follow Jesus. Father, I am afraid that we are much too busy with the things of the world and not focused in following you and doing the assigned kingdom work. These last two years in John has shown me the importance of doing my share of kingdom work. I believe writing these Bible studies is part of that work I was called to do. 

Are You Willing to Die for Your Faith? (John 21:18-19)

Lesson #340

In the previous lesson the question of how much Peter loved Jesus was looked at with the application to us and our love for Jesus. That love was then related to obedience when Jesus gave Peter, and thus us, three commands: “Feed my lambs.”, Tend my sheep.” and Feed my sheep.” Before Peter denied Jesus he boasted that he would die before he would do that, but we know that didn’t happen. We will learn in this lesson that Peter will have another chance to make that boast good.

Jesus continues his conversation with Peter and says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18 ESV). Jesus now compares the younger years of Peter to his older. When he was young he had freedom to go and to do what he pleased, but when he is older that will not be true. As an example, Peter chose to go fishing, with the other six disciples joining him, and when at the request of Jesus, they put down their nets and made a great catch. Peter girds himself, gets out of the boat and pulls the catch up to the shore.

Later in life, Peter will not have this freedom. In his obedience to feed and tend the flock and in going to make disciples, he will face persecution and will eventually have to stretch forth his arms and be bound to a cross and be forced to carry it to a place where you do not want to go. Earlier in life Peter had the freedom to choose whether he would deny or not deny Jesus and he chose to deny. When older and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he would be compelled, out of his love for Jesus, to face death before he would deny Jesus again. My observation of my brothers and sisters who live under persecution for their faith, face the same choice and some like Peter, when he was younger, and not mature enough in their faith, deny the Lord, while many others are willing to suffer and even die for their faith. Most believers in the west, who do not face persecution, do not understand the importance of preparing for this possible choice to happen to them later in life. My time serving in China and from what I have learned from VOM, I have come to understand the importance of being ready to stand for my faith.

“(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”” (John 21:19 ESV). From this statement, and the verse before it, we know that Peter would suffer a violent death and that his death would bring glory to God. It is believed that Peter was crucified upside down about 34 years later. This should be an encouragement to those who deny Jesus, like Peter did, that they can be forgiven and enter back into service and possible have other chances to stand in their faith with the Lord.

Prayer

Father, in many counties, many face suffering and even death for their walk with Jesus. We in the west do not as yet face such persecution. We do not face the possibility of actual crucifixion, but we do have the opportunity to take up our cross daily. How well we live out Galatians 2:20, may well indicate how well we might do when facing real persecution. Father, we have much to learn about our walk with the Lord and how much we are willing to suffer for our faith. 

Are We Feeding and Tending? (John 21:15-17)

Lesson #339

At the end of the previous lesson it was mentioned that we would come back to the following verses to consider expressions containing love and also look at the meaning of lambs and sheep that Jesus told Peter to care for. “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15 – 17 ESV).

When Jesus asked Peter the first time if he loved him he used the word “agapao” and Peter responded with the word “philo”. The definition for “agapao” given by the Strong’s Concordance is: “agapáō – properly, to prefer, to love; for the believer, preferring to "live through Christ" (1 John 4:9,10), i.e. embracing God's will (choosing His choices) and obeying them through His power. 25 (agapáō) preeminently refers to what God prefers as He "is love" (1 John 4:8,16).” “Phileo”, given by Peter in response, is defined in the Strong’s Concordance as: “philéō (from 5384 /phílos, "affectionate friendship") – properly, to show warm affection in intimate friendship, characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship.” Jesus is asking Peter if he is willing to live through him, obeying his will through his power. Thinking about his betrayal, Peter responds with love limited to intimate friendship.

Jesus repeats his question and Peter responds with the same answer. After Peters’ first response, Jesus said to go and feed his lambs, but this time he tells Peter to go and tend his sheep. The third time Jesus asks the question he uses the word “phileis” for love, which has the same definition as “phileo”. Peter responds the same and Jesus tells him to feed his sheep. The three love questions asked yield three commands: “Feed my lambs”, “Tend my sheep”, and “Feed my sheep”.

What is the difference between lambs and sheep in the commands Jesus gives Peter? Lambs and sheep are the same animal but different in age; a lamb is a young sheep, usually under the age of 12 months. Insight on these two words, lamb and sheep, can be obtained from Isaiah 53:7 (NLT): “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.” A lamb is slaughtered for its tender meat, but the larger older sheep provides wool for making clothing.

The commands that were given to Peter are also given to us. We need to stop and evaluate how well we are doing at feeding and tending.

Prayer

Father, I believe the commands given by Jesus to feed and tend assume that we are spiritually mature enough to know how to properly feed and tend. Having grown up on a farm around animals I know how important this is. Father, it seems that we should “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB) and as we grow as his workman we have a greater responsibility to feed and tend. Father, how much better life would be if we were obedient to these commands. 

How Much Do You Love Me? (John 21:15-17)

Lesson #338

At the end of the previous lesson, we left Jesus and the disciples enjoying a breakfast of fish and bread. They should be finished by now: “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”” (John 21:15 ESV). It is now time for Jesus to help Peter through a difficult time, just as he helps us through difficult times when we need help. Out of pride, Peter had boasted that even in the face of death he would not deny Jesus, but in the courtyard, outside where Jesus was being tried, he denied him three times. Peter was devastated when he realized, as the roster crowed the second time, that he had denied Jesus just as predicted, and now Jesus wants to restore him because there is some important work for Peter to do after Jesus ascends into heaven.

Peter had professed a closer and a more affectionate relationship with Jesus than the other disciples, and yet no one, other than Judas, had treated Jesus so severely. Jesus is now going to confront Peter and determine what his love for him really is and so he asks Peter if he loved him more than the other disciples did. That is a question that Peter could not answer because he could only account for his own love for Jesus. Thus, Peter responds with, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus responds with, “Feed my lambs.”

The meaning of the Greek word from which feed comes, portrays the duty of a Christian teacher to promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church. Jesus asks Peter the same question again: “He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”” (John 21:16 ESV). The answer Peter gives is the same as the first time, but Jesus gives a different command. He tells Peter to tend his sheep. The meaning of the Greek word from which tend comes, denotes rather the care, guidance, and protection which a shepherd extends to his flock. Jesus then asks Peter the third time, “. . . “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”” (John 21:17 ESV). In his response to Peter, Jesus returns to the first command to feed his sheep.

In the next lesson we will return to these verses and consider the expressions containing love and also look at the meaning of lambs and sheep.

Prayer

Father, this lesson raises some important questions we each need to consider. Jesus asked Peter how much he loved him. If he were to ask you, how would you answer? Each time Jesus asked that question he followed Peters answer with a command to do something as a validation of his answer. If our level of obedience determines our love for Jesus, then what can we say about how much we love Jesus? Love is not a feeling; it is a sacrifice that benefits the one being loved. Jesus loved us so much he was willing to ie for our salvation. How much are we willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the kingdom of God? Father, encourage our hearts and direct our focus on that which is important and eternal.