Daniel Returns: John 1:35-51

Good morning! It is my pleasure again to proclaim the Word of God to you from the Gospel of John. In our previous times together, we have looked at the prologue to John’s gospel which introduced Jesus. And last time, we saw John the Baptist and his testimony of Jesus.

In the prologue, John the author of this gospel told us about how God revealed himself in his Son, the Word of God who was in the beginning, was intimate with God, and indeed was God. He created all things. But when he came to his own people, they did not receive him. But, some people, both Jews and Gentiles, did receive him and have the right to become Children of God. One key verse I want you to recall is verse 6 “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” John 1:16, NAS95.

We learned that it’s not really “grace upon grace”, but “grace instead of grace”. The grace of the gospel replacing the grace of the Old Testament. The Law was of grace because it pointed to Jesus. But the gospel is the fulfillment of the Law in Jesus.

Let’s keep that in mind as we look at today’s section as Jesus begins to call his disciples.

1.35-36 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

John the Baptist continues the role that he was given by God, he witnesses to Jesus. John is not jealous for his disciples. He continues to point to Jesus and wants his disciples to look at him.

As we saw a few weeks ago, John the Baptist’s proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God did not have the realization of the suffering Messiah that we have, but as a prophet, he speaks better than he knows. This happens a few times in John.

1.37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

These two disciples hear John the Baptist’s testimony and follow Jesus. Some teachers and leaders might be jealous of a similar thing happening, but not John. This is why he came. Some of you may be teachers or leaders now, or maybe you will be someday. Maybe you will be discipling someone. And, what happens if the time comes for them to leave from under you? Shall you be jealous? Not if they are following Jesus. Always remember, it should always cause us joy to learn that those we’ve helped are following Jesus.

1.38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?”

John, the author of this gospel tells us that the two disciples were following him. Of course, this can simply mean that Jesus was walking ahead of them. But, John may be hinting that this is the early stage of the two disciples turning from following John the Baptist to following Jesus, to becoming his disciples.

Jesus asks them “what do you seek?” This too can simply mean seeking as in physically looking for something. But, it’s also possible that Jesus wants these potential followers to say for themselves why they want to follow.

They call Jesus “Rabbi”. Rabbi is the Aramaic word that was used for teacher. But, since John’s readers may not know that, he translates the meaning for them. And, they then ask “where are you staying?”

1.39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

Jesus’ answer is simple. “Come, and you will see.” This fits with what we’ve seen from John before. God wants eye-witnesses. Jesus doesn’t just tell them, he invites them to see with their own eyes.

They accept Jesus’ invitation and John, the author, tells us that it was the 10th hour. This would be 4 p.m..

This is a good time to think about who these two disciples are. We know from the text that one of the disciples was Andrew, the brother of Peter. But, what about the other disciple? We don’t know for sure, but tradition holds that it was John, the author of this gospel. If it was John, it seems to fit. Reporting the hour of the day is something that we might expect from an eye-witness who was impressed by the event.

Jesus is inviting you to come and see. Some of you may not yet know Jesus. He is inviting you to see for yourself. Don’t just take my word for it. Don’t just take your parents’ word, your husband’s work, your wife’s word. They, like John the Baptist gave witness to Jesus to you. But, now it’s time for you to come and see Jesus for yourself.

1.40-41 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).

Here is where we learn the identity of one of the disciples. It is Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. And, what is his response? He goes and tells his brother. How many times has this happened through the ages. When a new disciples comes and sees Jesus, he then goes and tells his family. And, what does Andrew tell Peter about Jesus? He calls him the Messiah. And, what was John the Baptist’s first words when the priests and Levites sent a delegation to question him? I am not the Messiah.

Messiah is a Hebrew word that literally means, “anointed one.” Again, many of John’s readers would not know this, so he translates it into Greek. This word was used in the Old Testament for the kings of Israel and Judah. David, before he was king, used it to talk about King Saul.

As Christians, we have to be careful again. We hear Andrew call Jesus the Messiah, and we might think that Andrew had a mature understanding of what Messiah was like. But, it’s clear from the rest of John that neither Andrew, nor anyone else understood Messiah to be one who would suffer and die. Andrew thought that Jesus would become a political king to lead Judah to the glory days. But, even though Andrew is mistaken, he spoke better than he knew.

1.42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. This is what we are called to do today. We’re not called to win arguments or bring people to a Christian event (merely). We are to bring them to Jesus.

Jesus doesn’t even wait for Peter to speak and tells him who he is and who he will be. He was Simon the son of John, or in the original Bar-Jonah. But Jesus gives him the name Cephas which John translates as Peter, or “rock”. When something or someone becomes yours, you name it. When you buy a puppy at the pet shop or bring home a newborn baby, you name it.

1.43-44 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.

The text is not clear about who the “he” is that purposed to go into Galilee and found Philip. In fact, it’s quite possible that the “he” here is Andrew. First, he found his brother, the next day he found Philip, his friend. And, he brings him to Jesus, and Jesus calls him to follow him. Andrew learned well from his mentor, John the Baptist. He doesn’t know much, but he knows enough to tell his brother and friend and bring them to Jesus.

1.45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Philip follows the same example of Andrew and quickly tells Nathanael. And let’s look at what Philip says. He says they found “him of whom Moses in the law and also the Prophets wrote." Well, if you were here and remember, when the delegation from the priests and Levites question John, he denies being the prophet that Moses spoke of. But Philip witnesses that Jesus is that prophet. But, then he tells who he is in the customary way of the day. You would say the person’s first name, where they were from and who their father is. So, “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

1.46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael were all from Galilee. And Galileans had a bad reputation with Jews from Jerusalem. But, here, even the Galileans looked down on people from Nazareth. Jesus, the Word of God, the Son of God, was from the most humble city he could be from. Of course, we know that he was from Bethlehem, the city of King David. But, Jesus was quite happy to be from Nazareth.

No matter what your background, God can use you.

Philip doesn’t try to argue with Nathanael, but repeats the phrase, “come and see.”

1.47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

Just as with Peter, Jesus doesn’t wait for Nathanael to speak, but tells him who he is. He describes him as being true, upright, and devout.

1.48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

Nathanael obviously agreed with Jesus’ statement. And when he asks how Jesus knows him, he tells him that he saw him under the fig tree. We don’t know that Nathanael was doing under that tree because John doesn’t tell us. Fig trees were known for being good places for meditation. The movie the Gospel of John shows Nathanael having an epiphany during meditation at that time. But, we don’t know.

1.49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”

Whatever it was that Nathanael was doing under the tree, somehow Jesus’ statement removes his doubt and he confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Israel. Now, this doesn’t mean that Nathanael understood that Jesus was the Son of God, that is, “the Word of God who was God.” The expression “son of God” was used of the king of Israel and certainly the Messiah. So, Nathanael is claiming that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Israel. Like Andrew before him, and John the Baptist before him, Nathanael spoke better than he knew.

1.50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

Jesus promises that Nathanael will see greater things than what led to his confession. In fact, when we get to chapter 2 next time, we will see the turning of water into wine. But, indeed, the gospel of John is full of such signs. And this is a good time to remind ourselves of the verse from the end of the gospel that summarizes the purpose of the gospel: “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:30, 31, NAS95.

1.51 And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Jesus now tell Nathanael that he will see the greatness of the Son of Man, an even greater vision than Jacob the father of the nation of Israel saw in his vision. Before we look at that reference, notice how Jesus begins the statement. He says in our version here, “truly, truly”. Other versions say “verily, verily”, or “Very truly, I tell you”. It’s actually the word from which we get “amen” and means that something is true. Now, when do we usually say, “amen”? We usually say it at the end of a prayer or AFTER someone says something we agree strongly with. It was the same in Jesus day. Jesus, says “amen” BEFORE he speaks. This is shocking! And, then, he repeats it. In Hebrew and Aramaic, this was a way to emphasize it. In English, we might say it once loudly or write an exclamation mark. In Japanese, you might say 「アーメンですよ！」. Jesus, not only prefaces his statements with “amen”, he does it twice. When you see these statements in the Bible, pay attention! Jesus wants your attention.

So, he tells Nathanael that he will, for certain, see angels ascending and descending on him. And not just Nathanael. The “you” in this verse is plural. All of the disciples will see the glory of Jesus.

All of the Jews recognized the special place of Jacob. And they understood that Jacob’s vision of the ladder was a key moment. In fact, Jacob named the place of the vision “Bethel”. Bethel means “house of God”. And now, we see that Jacob’s vision was a forerunner of what would happen to Jesus. Jesus is greater than Jacob. Earlier in John, we saw that the phrase “grace upon grace” really means “grace instead of grace”. That is, the grace Jesus brings replaces the grace of the Old Testament. Jesus is Jacob’s ladder. Jesus is the “house of God”. Jesus is God’s gracious gift to us. And by faith, we along with Nathanael and the disciples, can see the angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man, as we hear the witness of those who tell us the gospel and believe it. “These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31, NAS95. Believe, and have life in His name!

Words from Okayama-San

「Ⅰコリント１２章　キリストのからだを思う」

    ～I Corinthians Chapter12, Know the body of Christ～

聖書箇所　Ⅰコリントの手紙１２：１２－２６

《前段》　各自が肢体である、部分である＝各自の尊厳の重視

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 各自の働きの重視

11章　無秩序のゆえ混乱がある

12章      秩序の回復

　　１３章　愛の問題

　　１４章　預言の問題

　　　秩序とは

１ 物事を行う場合の正しい順序・筋道。「―を立てて考える」

２ その社会・集団などが、望ましい状態を保つための順序やきまり。「学校の―を乱す」

　　　　

【Ⅰ】秩序回復のための条件＝神聖な事実（神様の見方）を知る

同一の認識＝信者の地位

　　　　　　　１３節　一つの霊による

神によりキリストのからだの中へとバプテスマされた

　　　　　　　　　　　一つ霊を飲ませてもらった

　　　　　　　１８節　神の望みのままにからだの部分として置かれた

２４節　からだを組み立てられた（調和された）

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

【Ⅱ】神聖な事実から生じる事柄

キリストとの結合＝支配

霊の領域にあるキリストのからだの中にある

他者の存在の中に置かれた

相互の霊の供給

　　　　 神の御心に生きる＝神への方向性　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　　　この基礎はキリストの贖い、復活、とりなしである

【Ⅲ】キリストのからだの中で生きる

　　　　　適切な賜物の使用＝秩序の回復

　　　　　　　　　神の秩序の中にある＝安心、平安

　　　　　　　　　正しい方向性がある

　　　　　　　　　体の成長のためである

　　　　　　　　　他者の益のためである

　　　　　　　　　訓練の必要＝主によるもの、肢体によるもの（命の供給）　

　【Ⅳ】キリストのからだの成長と実際

　共に泣き、喜ぶ

　　　　共感のための必要

十字架の前ですべての人は罪人であることを知る

　　　　　　　　　他者の必要性を神様により見せられる

　　　　　　　　　神により造り変えられた人の必要を知る

　　　　　　信仰者の生き方の涙、喜びを知る

　　　　　　　　　再臨を熱望することへ共に進むものであることを知る

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

私の居場所　《共同体とは・・・・慰めと励ましの共同体である》

成長＝ますます良くなる＝神の素晴らしさの凝縮

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　神の関心と顧みの共同体

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　神聖な命に満ちる方向に進む

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　《私たちはここにいる》

Message from Daniel Beck

Good morning! It is my pleasure again to proclaim the Word of God to you from the Gospel of John. In our previous times together, we have looked at the prologue to John’s gospel which introduced Jesus. The author, John the apostle, also mentioned another character, a witness also named John, known better to us as John the Baptist. In today’s passage, the apostle John will tell us more about John the Baptist and his testimony to us about Jesus.

I mentioned that we looked at the prologue. A prologue in a kind of introduction. In the prologue John introduced us to Jesus. But, he calls him “the Word of God” through most of the prologue. It is interesting that John does not call him “the Word” again after the prologue. Let’s have a short review of the prologue.

John begins by calling Jesus, the Word of God. And we noted that one’s word is one’s self-expression. So, Jesus is God’s message about himself to us. We learned that the Word is eternal, is intimate with God the Father, and is indeed God. We also learn that the Word created all things, is the Light of the World, and was rejected by his own people. But, we also learn that there are people who receive him, and that those who do receive him are given the right to become Children of God.  We learn that this eternal Word of God who is intimate with God, became human, part of creation.

And now, before we look at today’s verses, let’s recall what we have already learned about John the Baptist. In verses 6-8 we learn:

“There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.” John 1:6-8, NAS95.

We also learn:

“John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”” John 1:15, NAS95.

Let’s keep those in mind as we look at today’s section.

1.19 This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

We have already seen that John the Baptist came to testify to the Word of God, to Jesus. Now we will learn more of the details of John’s testimony. The context for this testimony is when a delegation from the religious leaders of Jews come to learn about him. John the Baptist received attention because of his baptisms and his message.

Why would his baptisms bring attention? Baptism was not an unusual thing. It symbolized washing away sin and impurity and was often done by Gentiles, gaijin, to show their repentance from the Gentile ways and their identity with the Jews. But, for some reason, the baptism that John the Baptism was doing drew attention from the Jewish leaders. First, baptisms were not usually done by  devout Jews. But many Jews were going to John the Baptism for baptism. Secondly, baptisms were done by the person being baptized. You would go into the water yourself, and go under the water. It was unusual for people to go to someone else to be baptized. But, people were coming to John, which makes John the Baptist look very important. That’s why the Jewish leaders sent this delegation to talk with John the Baptist. They want to know who he is.

1.20 And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

So, when the delegation from the leaders asks who he is, he answers in the negative, “I am not the Christ.” It seems like such a strange answer to the question. If someone asked you who you are, would you answer, “I am not the Prime Minister of Japan”? But, there was an expectation that the Christ, the one chosen by God to restore the kingdom to Israel might come soon. So, when so many people are going to John the Baptist to be baptized, the leaders wonder if he claims to be the Christ, the Messiah.

It is strange that John the apostle tells us twice in the same sentence that John the Baptist confessed to a negative truth, that he was not the Christ. But, remember, John the Baptist was sent to testify. And here, the rulers are wondering if he might be the Christ. So, he denies it as strongly as he can.

1.21 They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

In addition to the Messiah, the Jews expected the coming of two other important people. The first was Elijah. This is because of the prophesy in Malachi in the Old Testament that Elijah would come near the end.

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.” Malachi 4:5

John denies this. Although John the Baptist did not see himself as Elijah, Jesus tells us in the other gospels that John’s coming is the fulfillment of that prophesy.

“And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.” Matthew 11:14

Probably, John the Baptist did not fully understand the full significance of his role. Another prophesy that the Jews were waiting for was a prophet who would be like Moses. Moses had written about this prophet in Deuteronomy.

‘I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18

But, again, John the Baptist denies being the Messiah, Elijah or the prophet like Moses.

1.22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”

The delegation is not impatient. John doesn’t confess to be the people the Jews were waiting for and the delegation has been giving the task of finding out who he is. So, they ask him to testify about himself.

1.23 He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Although John the Baptist did not recognize about himself that he came to fulfill the role of Elijah, he recognizes that he has come to call the Jews to repentance as Isaiah had done in the Old Testament.

A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:3-5

1.24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.

The commentators have shown that this translation is not likely to be accurate, since we saw earlier that they had been sent from the priests and Levites, and since the Pharisees did not have the authority to send such a delegation. However, it is quite possible that the delegation included Pharisees who asked the questions.

1.25 They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

So, since John the Baptist has denied being the Messiah, Elijah or the prophet, the Pharisees want to know what authority John has to do what he’s doing.

1.26-27 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. “It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

John the Baptist stays true to his role as a witness and points to Jesus. Notice that he emphasizes that they do not know Jesus. Remember what we learned in the prologue?

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. John 1:10, 11

And then John the Baptist testifies to the greatness of Jesus by comparing himself with a slave in comparison. In that culture only the lowest of the slaves had the role of untying sandals. But, John says he is not even worthy of such a job. This must have shocked the delegation. They were here to interview a great man. And, indeed, John was a great man. Jesus tells us so. But, in light of Jesus, John saw himself as being lower than the lowest slave.

How do we see Jesus? Is he someone we look to to fix our problems or give us the things we want? Or do we see ourselves truly blessed just to be counted his servants and serve in his presence. We would do well to take John’s attitude.

1.29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

After testifying about Jesus in absence (Jesus was not there), John the Baptist now points to Jesus as the one he was testifying about. He also adds information by calling Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We hear this as Christians and we understand what John is talking about. However, we have to remember that no one at the time was expecting the Messiah to be a sacrifice for sins, not even John. He recognized that Jesus is the Lamb of God in a apocalyptic sense. But, as Caiaphas the High Priest will later testify about what he didn’t understand, here too John testifies better than he knew.

John the Apostle tells us many times in his gospel that the disciples did not understand what was happening at the time, but later understood the significance after the Resurrection of Jesus.

1.30 “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’

Here John the Baptists refers back to his previous claim and now shows his own disciples that Jesus is the one he was talking about.

1.31-33 “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’

Even though John the Baptist knew that he had been sent to prepare the way for the Lord, and even though we know from the other gospels that John’s mother, Elizabeth, knew that Jesus was the promised Savior, John only had confidence to know that Jesus is the Lord after he witnessed the descent of the Holy Spirit in a physical form.

Again and again throughout this book, we are reminded that this is an account from eyewitnesses. We can believe this message because the eyewitnesses testimony rings true. As we have been reminded each week, John the gospel-writer tells us his purpose in choosing which acts of Jesus to write down.

“Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:30, 31, NAS95.

In these verses we also see more clearly why John the Baptist was lesser than the one who follows him. John baptizes with water. This represents the cleansing from sin. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, which actually cleanses from sin. And, John gives witness to this.

1.34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

Here is the full testimony of John the Baptist. Some of those who heard this testimony were his own disciples who, after hearing his testimony, stop following him and start following Jesus.

愛CCS (Ai CCS) Goin’ fishin’! わたしは漁に行くのだ

Just after the death of Jesus イエスの亡き後, the 11 and some friends of Jesus, locked themselves in an upper room-in fear of the Jews.  That is, the leaders who had arrested Jesus and had Him crucified. 

Not that long before, anyone who spoke of Jesus in a positive light would be kicked out of the Worshiping community—they were excommunicated from the Faith.  People like Nicodemus believed in secret.  People like Joseph of Arimathea were closet believers.  Every once in a while, one would come out and identify themselves as followers and show some real courage. 

What do you do when your world falls apart?

Where do you go?

What happened to what you believed?

How do you feel?

Before we get into that, please note that the four Gospels ４つの福音書による詳しい記事are four ways in looking at the same event.  A little different from each other, some with more information than others, but all agree that He did return from the dead. Some had deep reasons to write these ESP in light of Matthew’s account. Go and make disciples. In John, the reason for writing the account: so that people would believe in Him.

John-(20) Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and on Monday eve, showed Himself to the disciples, then to Thomas. Later Peter (21) went fishing with some of the guys. Jesus then meets with him/them there and reestablishes (reinstates) His friendship.

Today, we will look at John’s account. John 20-21.

• Cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.  Meaning:=I will return.

• They saw it all and believed—according to the Scriptures…like last week.

• They went home.  What else to do?  Where do you go when your Center was gone? Go home.

Mary was standing outside the tomb-crying, stooped and looked in-saw 2 white-robed angels. They spoke to her: 13 “Why are you crying?” Why are you sad? Why the tears?  Reason was unknown to them. “They have taken away my Lord…and I don’t know where they have put Him.”

Jesus was there as she turned but she did not recognize Him.

“Dear woman, why are you crying?  Who are you looking for?”

“Mary!”

“TEACHER!!” Just said her name and she knew. John 10:4, 14 “⁴…His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. ^{…  14} “I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me…”

“Don’t cling to Me. But go find my brothers and tell them…I will leave soon.”

She leaves and tells them. “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. Have you seen Him? Has it changed the way you live?—it should.  The witness is clear—she told them what He had said to her.  A faithful witness.  Their response is not her job: Just tell what He has said/done.

Vs 19: ¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week …locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.  POW!  “Peace be with you.” 「あなたがたに平和があるように.」

Speaking with them and showing His wounds, they were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!  Again: “Peace be with you. 「あなたがたに平和があるように.」As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you.”

This was not an option.  It was not a preference. He sends us out! My Peace is with you--as you follow Me!

Breathed on them: “Received the Holy Spirit.”  This act had to do with the area of forgiveness. The act of forgiving people—If you don’t forgive—they are not forgiven! And neither are you! This might be a good time to look over your list of people who have hurt you or that you have hurt.  You NEED to forgive them.  That is His Call on your life-the life He died for!

Then He appeared to Thomas—I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds and put my figure into the holes—eight days later-shows Himself to Thomas.  Again with the “Peace be with you.” 「あなたがたに平和があるように.」

 Don’t doubt—believe! Stop your unbelieving! You know it is true.

Go ahead and put your figure here and your hand there—“Don’t be faithless any longer.  Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” “Blessed are those who don’t see yet believe.”

Purpose of the writing of John 20:³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name. This is FAITH!

Chapter 21: Appearing to others:The disciples beside the Sea of Galilee…just as He had said!

            Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the two sons of Zebedee and 2 other disciples.Simon Peter: “I’m going fishing.” 「わたしは漁に行くのだ」 “We’ll come too.” Went out to fish—all night and caught zero.

At dawn, Jesus as standing on the shore and said: “Try the other side!” Or try it My way! イエスは言われた、「わたしの方法でやって見なさい」 Better than a fish finder. In fact, they even counted them: 153 large fish.  Nets did not break.  Then John said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” he swam toward the shore and his Master.  There, on the shore was Jesus, cooking fish and had some bread ready for them.  Jesus invited them to “bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

“Come and have breakfast.” Verse 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

Fish and bread. 魚とパン　―さらにまたWhere have we heard of that combination before? Twice He fed thousands with fish and bread. パンを裂き　―さらにまた   Then on the road to Emmaus, when He broke the bread, they realized it was Jesus. It was to be a reminder for us all

Now, comes the main point of today: 15-19.  Peter had been the loud mouth in the group.  He would speak without thinking and sometimes even get it right. “You are the Son of God!”  Remember the events back during the last Passover Jesus had with His followers? He told Peter that he would deny Him three times before the cock would make a sound.  During the early stages of the mocked trial of Jesus, Peter was confronted three times with claims that he too was with Jesus.  No!  Not me!  I don’t even know Him!  The cock screeched and he realized that he had indeed denied his Lord. 主を否定する Such shame.  Deep personal disappointment. 

How would you have felt? Here was your Lord and Master—being treated ever so poorly.  Someone comes up to you and asks “Are you one of His followers?”  The pressure to lie—to deny that statement is overwhelming. 

Or, at school, a fellow classmate asks you if you go to that stupid church meeting on Sunday. How do you answer?

A neighbor is talking with you about the upcoming funeral of a close relative and asks if you will go along with the traditions of Shintoism and offer prayers at the coffin.  Do you offer the ash during your prayer? Do you tell them of your Faith?

Is there any difference for anyone of us when we deny Jesus’ claim on us in ANY situation? When we are tempted to lie? When we are tempted to steal? When we are tempted to covert? When we are tempted to become silent rather than defend the Name of Jesus?  Has that ever happened? What do you feel?  How do you move on? 

I can really feel for Peter.  His heart was in the right place but he was afraid.   I’ve been afraid. I have felt the tug to conform. The pressure NOT to stand up for what I know is right! And when I did not—I felt as Peter did.  Rejected.  Alone.  Unforgiven.  “I might as well go fish.  I am not worth anything anyway.”

And Jesus is there, preparing not only a meal, but also a great invitation to remember God’s Grace.

“And when you return to Me…”  Jesus knew all along and He wanted Peter to know too.  “Go tell My disciples AND PETER…” AND here in this section of God’s Word, we see Jesus once again putting His mouth where His heart is: 

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me私を本当に愛するか more than these?”

   “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” 私を本当に愛するか

   He answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

 17 The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?”

   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” 私を愛するか He said, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

   Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.”

What a caring God we serve! He forgives. He restores.  Fully restores. And in this wonderful example of His tender care of the beast of a man like Peter, we can see that God’s plans are once again not like ours. His ways are not like ours.  Seven Times Seventy.  Forgiveness beyond counting.  Our response: 私たちの反応And that is just were we are today. He has forgiven you and me.  Of all the horrid things we felt inside against Him and other people. All the attitudes that were kept hidden. All the dirt we covered ourselves with!  All the wrong we did-our jealously, our pride, our self-centeredness. Covered!  Where are you going?　あなたはどこへ向かうLet’s not go fishing!>>>Let’s go follow this Forgiving God for He is alive still!