An Epilogue of Eternal Restoration (Digging Deeper into John 21)

Upon initial observation, the Gospel of John probably could have ended with John 20:30-31:

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

For the truth is, what we read above is exactly what John has done through these first 20 chapters of his gospel account. But John is not done yet … and neither is Jesus. There is one more task Jesus wants to tend to before ascending to His rightful place with His Father in Heaven. He wants to redeem another of one of His beloved disciples.

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 … [and a] 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.’ (Jn. 21:15-17)

After denying his Savior just a handful of days before this moment, Peter’s opportunity has finally come, once again, to confess his love and dedication to Jesus. And Jesus welcomes this moment with a challenge. If Peter loves Jesus, as he said he does, it is time for him to show it. He is tasked to do the work of the Gospel and bring the message of Jesus, along with his fellow disciples, to the very ends of the earth. And for Peter, it starts in this moment.

It also starts with us.

Given the invitation Jesus extends to all of us, we too can have our own “Breakfast of Restoration” with Him today … just like Peter did so many thousands of years ago.

And all it takes is one step to start. Everything from that point on is just details … all of which are shown to us by Jesus Himself—the God-man who has been around since the beginning.

For as John reminded us so long ago when he wrote John 1:1-5 …

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

What will you do in response?

Here are some other takeaways from John 21:

As followers of Jesus, we are most effective when we listen to His voice through God’s Word, and through the Holy Spirit. (Jn. 21:6)
We are at our best when we do what Jesus tells us to do.
Peter’s immediate response to Jesus after he recognizes Him from His boat while he is fishing is to dive in and swim toward His Messiah. (Jn. 21:7)
There is a grand significance of eating a meal with Jesus, and with others. (Jn. 21:9-14)
It is Jesus who reminds us of who we are. (Jn. 21:15-17)
As the leader of the disciples and of the early Church, Peter’s public repentance is important.
Despite Peter’s denial of Jesus, he is not disqualified after he is redeemed by Him. (Jn. 21:15-17)
We do not have to stay down when we have been knocked down. God calls us to get up and take another step forward with Jesus regardless.

What are some of your biggest takeaways from this last weekend’s sermon? How about from the Gospel of John as a whole? Share your favorite high points from our series with someone you know and care about, or even someone you may not even know yet.

(All Scriptures used above are from the ESV translation).