INTRODUCTION: Famous Last Words of Jesus. “Im going to my Father and Your Father.” (John 20)
Today we’re looking at some of Jesus famous last words in John 21. There’s a lot that happens in this chapter and we’ll look at that at a later time. So today we’re going to pickup in the middle of a conversation that Jesus is having with Peter.
John 21:18,19- “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
This can either be really alarming or it can bring you great peace. Oh no, this is how I’m going to die! Or, WOW, Jesus knows my future!
Or, we can do as Peter did. But wait a minute Jesus, what about John! The comparison game.
JESUS REPLY
John 21:22- “Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
So what is Jesus trying to communicate to Peter? FOLLOW ME!
I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT! Jesus isn’t telling Peter to follow him to heaven at that moment. He’s telling him “from this day forward, live your life in the manner that I did. Live like I lived!”
Look what a man named Paul said to a group of people he was writing to.
1 Corinthians 11:1- “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
(TPT)- “I want you to pattern your lives after me, just as I pattern mine after Christ.”
I don’t think Jesus is asking to much of us when He ask those who call Him their Lord and Savior to pattern their lives after Him!
Pastor Andy Stanley- “Following Jesus will make your life better and make you better at life and in time you will discover that He deserves to be followed.”
BUT WE MUST PUT THIS IN CONTEXT OF THE JEWISH CULTURE TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING.
When a Rabbi asked someone to follow Him it was an incredible HONOR!
Remember what Mary Magdalene called Jesus when called after she encountered Him outside the empty tomb. “RABBONI!” Which is Hebrew for Teacher!
BUT WHO IS JESUS TALKING TO HERE. PETER! THE ONE WHO DENIED HIM. PETER THE FAILURE!
What Jesus was really telling Peter “I FORGIVE YOU!” Yes you blew it Peter, BUT I FORGIVE YOU, FOLLOW ME!
THE SECOND THING WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE JEWISH CULTURE AND JESUS WORDS TO PETER.
The invitation was an offer of unlimited access to the Rabbi!
Hebrews 4:16- “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
YOU AND I HAVE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO HIS MERCY AND GRACE!
THE THRID THING WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE JEWISH CULTURE AND JESUS WORDS TO PETER.
The invitation to Follow Jesus was a chance to become a perpetual student of Christ!
THREE THINGS OUT OF MANY THAT I WANT TO LEARN FROM THE TEACHER AS HIS STUDENT THAT WILL HELP ME IN THIS TIME OF CRISIS.
- I want to have a Place of Prayer in my Life.
Matthew 26:36 (NLT)- “Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.”
Matthew 26:44- “So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.”
THE SECOND THING I WANT TO LEARN FROM THE TEACHER
2. I want to Heal and not Hurt
Jesus has finished praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and He’s being betrayed by Judas.
Luke 22:49-51- “When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Today, it seems like everybody’s got a sword and they want to fight with it!
But I want to be like my Teacher, I want to heal and not hurt!
If you’re not first fighting this battle on your knees in prayer, you’re fighting the wrong battle!
THE THIRD THING I WANT TO LEARN FROM THE TEACHER.
3. I want to Walk in Love
After Jesus prayed in the Garden and Healed the man’s ear HE WALKED IN LOVE STRAIGHT TO THE CROSS BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU AND ME!
Ephesians 5:1-2- “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”
CONCLUSION: What is the Holy Spirit saying to you in this message.