5/21 Inner Healing Bible Study
John 21:1-19
Context: When does this story take place? What were some significant things that just happened? Jesus’ atoning work for our sins is completed.
Read verses 1-9.
Question: Does this scene feel familiar to you? Answer: When Jesus first called Peter to be his disciple.
Question: It’s a joyful memory — Jesus calling Peter into purpose. If things unfold in the same way as the first time, what should we expect to happen? Answer: Jesus will call him to be his disciple.
There is another minor detail that evokes memory for Peter.
Where in the Bible was the last time there was a charcoal fire and Peter was there?
Read John 18:18
It’s a different Greek word from a normal fire. This specific fire appears only twice in all of Scripture: at the moment Peter denied Jesus and at the moment we are reading right now.
While the reminiscence of Jesus’ first calling of Peter to be his disciple may ring familiarity in this setting, the charcoal fire smell is a sharp reminder of his bitter weeping in denying Jesus three times.
So in one scene, we have two memories colliding:
- One of calling and joy
- One of failure and shame
This happens in life. A joyful memory is overshadowed by a more painful memory that leaves us hurt, shameful, and debilitated in properly moving forward in life. Life tends to juxtapose our cheerful memories with depressing ones that seem to win out.
- A retreat where you encountered God… but also the last time your friend was at church before falling away.
- A mentor who shaped your faith… but later disqualified themselves.
These remain painful to us because they remain in the past. Peter is stuck in that place. He denied Jesus. And even though Jesus completed the work of the cross and rose again, that shame still clings to him. BUT Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted and heal us. This is His heart.
Read verses 10-18
So Jesus draws out Peter’s inner turmoil to confront his past and restore him. When we think we’re lost causes, Peter’s example communicates a hope that God’s promise is true: He will never leave or forsake us.
Jesus doesn’t first ask “will you serve me, will you obey me.” Jesus wants our love.
Peter’s love juxtaposes Christ’s love for him. Jesus knows all things.
Jesus’ love for Peter is everlasting. Jeremiah 31:3. His love did not end because it never began.
God’s love for you doesn’t start when you give your life to Him. It doesn’t start when you start serving him. When you start leading. When you start doing church right.
An everlasting love has no start, and hence, no end. Jesus has always loved Peter.
I’ll read Isaiah 43:1-2.
Transition to ministry time.