Monday, March 17, 2014

Reading John's Gospel ... Week 11 of 11 ... John 21


March 17, 2014
The Gospel of John
March 17 - 23
www.spu.edu/lectio

John 21

By Dr. Laura Sweat

Daily Reading suggestion:

Monday……….21:1-14
Tuesday……….21:15-19
Wednesday….21:20-25

Be sure to read Dr. Laura Sweat’s commentary on this chapter.  Jesus has died and risen from the dead, and has appeared to his disciples and commissioned them to continue his ministry…what’s more to tell?   John 21 sums up some important points about Jesus’ identity, and includes a playful story of reconciliation and ministry calling.

Where We’ve Been…

Mary Magdalene, then Peter and the other disciple, discover the empty tomb (John 20:1-10); Jesus appears to Mary in the garden…and she recognizes him when he calls her by name (John 20:11-18); and Jesus appears to his disciples in a locked room, giving them a commission and the Holy Spirit, later helping Thomas through his doubts about the resurrection (John 20:19-31).

Where We’re Headed…

·         Jesus appears to his disciples in Galilee, while they are fishing (Peter, without his clothes on!), and Jesus makes them breakfast (John 21:1-14).

·         Jesus give instructions to Peter to feed his sheep, offering Peter a chance to profess his love for Jesus three times (John 21:15-19).

·         A final story and note about the beloved disciple who wrote the gospel (John 21:20-25).

For each of these episodes, consider the following questions:

  • What does this encounter tell you about who Jesus is and what is important to him?

  • What is Jesus communicating to his disciples?  How might Jesus be communicating these same things to you today?

  • What is one thing Jesus says to his disciples that I need to hear today, and share with others?

 
Here’s one major question from this entire section:

Take a close look at Peter’s response to Jesus’ question, “do you love me?”  Do you love Jesus?  How do you (or might you) demonstrate this love?

 
Words of Blessing

May you have the enthusiasm of Simon Peter in your relationship with Jesus, responding to Jesus words of love with joyful faith.

Amen.

 

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