As I wrapped up my reading through the Bible in 2021, John 21 was on the schedule – a marvelous story of Jesus passing on one more set of lessons to the disciples – lessons that might be useful for us as we launch into the New Year. It starts with two distractions:

FISHING

Peter, not sure of what he’s supposed to do since he denied the Lord before the crucifixion, went back to what he knew – fishing.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” (John 21.3, ESV)

FRENZY

Then Peter launches into a frenzy of activity: he swims to shore from 100 yards out, then he splashes back to the boat to help bring in the net.

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he…threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. (John 21.7 – 11, ESV)

INTERLUDE

Jesus puts a pause on all this frenzy and takes care of men who have been fishing all night: let’s eat!

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” …Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. (John 21.12, 13, ESV)

FEED MY SHEEP

Three times Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves him. Three times Peter replies that he does. Three times Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. (John 21.15 – 17)

FOLLOW ME

Then Jesus predicts the manner of Peter’s death and reminds Peter what he should be doing:

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21.18, 19, ESV, emphasis mine)

FORGET THE OTHER GUY

Peter, always curious, asks about John, and Jesus’ response is clear:

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” (John 21.20 – 22, ESV)

There we are, five simple lessons. I shared this a while back at our church in Monument, and artist Lauren Vlcek took exquisite notes in her wide-margin Bible. Here they are, a fitting summary, and the text is there too.

P.S. On another subject, on New Year’s Eve, I published a challenge to read the New Testament this year using the 5x5x5 New Testament reading plan. My friend Jerry Anderson in Castle Rock, Colorado, reformatted the schedule into a 2022-friendly format which starts, wait for it…, today! So, again, join me in reading the New Testament through in 2022!