From John 21, Morning Praise (2)

In one paragraph

Pastor Mark opened the final chapter of John with a chapter that functions not as conclusion but as action step, asking what we are supposed to do with everything the Gospel has just shown us. Working through John 21 in order, he traced four movements: manifestation, invitation, motivation, and occupation, all of them folding back on each other and pointing forward into how we actually follow...

Read together

1. John 20:31 purpose statement: these things written so you may believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in his name
2. John 21:1-8 Jesus manifests himself to disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, they catch nothing all night
3. John 21:9-14 Jesus invites disciples to come and dine, breakfast on the beach, third appearance after resurrection
4. John 21:15-17 Jesus asks Peter three times do you love me, tells him to feed and tend his sheep
5. John 21:18-23 Jesus tells Peter how he will die and says follow me, Peter asks about John
6. John 1 John the Baptist says Jesus must be made manifest to Israel, he came baptizing in water for this reason
7. John 2 beginning of signs at Cana, Jesus manifested his glory to his disciples
8. John 3 he who practices truth comes to the light so his deeds may be made manifest as wrought by God
9. John 7 Jesus brother tells him to show himself publicly at the festival in Jerusalem
10. John 9 blind man healed so the works of God might be made manifest in him
11. John 17 Jesus prays to the Father: I have manifested your name to those you gave me
12. Matthew 5:16 let your light shine before men so they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven
13. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose the third day, appeared to Peter then the twelve then over 500
14. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 words of institution at the Lord's Supper, do this in remembrance of me, proclaim the Lord's death until he comes
15. Revelation 12:11 we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony

Talk about it

1. The pastor opened with the story of his first date with Tanya and said 'beginnings tend to set a tone.' What beginning in your own life with Christ has shaped the direction of your faith since then?
2. The sermon described manifestation as making known what has been hidden, and said the seminary motto was 'to know him and make him known.' In practical terms, what does it look like for you to make Jesus known to the people around you right now?
3. Jesus prepared a charcoal fire on the beach, the same sensory detail connected to the night Peter denied him. What does it tell you about Jesus that he chose that setting to restore Peter rather than avoiding it?
4. Jesus asked Peter three times 'do you love me?' and each time the response was a call to serve others: feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. What is the connection between love for Christ and concern for other people, and where do you feel that connection most in your own life?
5. When Peter asked about John, Jesus said in effect, 'What is that to you? You follow me.' The pastor said he does not think that expectation was for Peter alone. Where in your life are you most tempted to compare your calling or your path to someone else's instead of simply following Jesus?