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Sunday School Special : Lesson 157

Text: John 21:15-25
21 May 2023

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 21 May 2023 

Text: John 21:15-25 

Subject: The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ 

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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.” 

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” 

He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” 

He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.” 

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” 

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 

23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” 

24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. 

John 21:15-25 

INTRODUCTION 

1. This is the last lesson from the Gospel of John

2. The last 2 chapters focus on the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus

a) Proof of the Resurrection 
i) The Empty Tomb
ii) The Appearances of the Risen Saviour
b) Problems of the Disciples addressed
i) Repair of the Faith of the Disciples
ii) Restoration of the Disciples to the Lord and Ministry

THE INFLUENCE OF PETER 

1. Peter may be called “a natural leader”

a) People turned to him
b) They were affected/ influenced by him

2. Peter’s Decision to return to his old occupation affected the other disciples

a) They would follow his example
b) They would take his lead

THE RESTORATION OF PETER 

1. It took a Miracle to draw Peter to the Lord

a) A great catch of fish
b) Peter understood who the Lord really was Luke 5

2. It took another Miracle to restore Peter

a) Another great catch of fish
b) This time it took a little longer John 21

3. The Conversation between the Lord Jesus and Peter

a) Three questions were raised to Peter
b) They were similar and yet subtly different questions

4. The First Question

 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 15:21 

a) Did Peter love the Lord Jesus more than anything/ anyone? 
b) Peter answered humbly, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
c) The Lord’s first commission
“Feed My lambs”  

5. The Second Question

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 

a) Did Peter really love the Lord Jesus? 
b) Peter answered humbly again, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
c) The Lord’s second commission
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”  

6. The Third Question

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.” 

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.   John 21:17 

a) Did Peter really love the Lord? 
b) Peter was aggrieved when the same question was raised the third time
c) But he replied, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
d) The third commission
“Feed My sheep.    

7. This was all part of the masterful way of restoring Peter back to his ministry

a) He must love the Lord genuinely and deeply
b) He must seek to fulfil all that he was instructed to do
c) He must have love enough to sustain his ministry

A WORD OF ADMONITION 

18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” John 21:18-19 

1. The Lord gave Peter a hint of how he would die

2. Peter would also be crucified

3. He would glorify God in his death too

4. The challenge was to “follow the Lord!”

THE CONCLUSION OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 

1. It involved Peter and John

2. Peter wanted to know the ministry of John

3. He asked the Lord directly about John’s ministry

4. The Lord’s was cryptic in His reply

5. He did not disclose what He had in mind for John

6. The lesson the Lord Jesus wanted Peter to learn was a straightforward one

7. He must seek to follow the Lord and His leading 

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 

22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 

23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”     John 21:20-23 

A HUMBLE SUBMISSION BY JOHN IN CONCLUSION 

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. 

John 21:25 

1. John’s Gospel did not cover all the things the Lord Jesus did

2. If all the details would be included, it would be truly voluminous 

3. These things were written to help:

a) Readers to know the Lord Jesus Christ
b) To believe in Him, find eternal life and follow Him faithfully