This week on Scripture Comes to Life I continue with this study inspired mostly by the Gospel of John but also sprinkled with references from other Scriptures.
All twelve lessons I’ve highlighted were imparted by Jesus during the forty days between his resurrection and his ascension. He overcame death and walked again through the Holy Land teaching his disciples. I contend that this one individual who died and lived to tell about it is eminently worthy of our attention.
We covered 6 lessons last time, so let’s listen in again, starting with:
Lesson 7: If you love me, you will love and serve my people
After eating breakfast on the beach with his disciples (see Lesson 6), Jesus turned to Simon Peter and gave him some individual instruction. Though these lessons were directed specifically at Peter, I’m grateful that John recorded them, because we can find application for our own lives.
Peter had denied Jesus three times, and in what some have called a “reinstatement,”1 Jesus asked him three times, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?” (John 21:15,16,17).
When Peter responds the first time, “You know that I love you,” Jesus says, “Feed my lambs.” When Peter says the same thing the second time, Jesus says, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time Peter was hurt and said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus simply said, “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus commands us, especially those who are leaders, to love and care for his people as evidence that we love him. We are all flawed humans, and often miss the mark as we try to walk like Jesus. But he will still use us to care for others. Oswald Chambers wrote,
“Jesus has some extraordinarily funny sheep, some bedraggled, dirty sheep, some awkward, butting sheep, some sheep that have gone astray!…the love of God pays no attention to the distinctions…”2
Lesson 8: Don’t focus on the past or the future, just follow me!
Continuing to address Peter on the beach, Jesus reminds him of his eventual fragility and mortality but doesn’t want him to obsess over it.
Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:18).
Sometimes we are prone to make excuses about our lack of devotion or service to the Lord because of our age or season of life. We’re too old or we’re too young, or the timing isn’t right. Jesus’s answer will be the same. Just follow me. I will show you the way, at whatever age, or in whatever circumstance you find yourself.
Lesson 9: Don’t worry about my plans for other people, just follow me!
Peter, continuing the conversation with Jesus, points to John and asks, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:21-22).
Before the crucifixion, the disciples often compared themselves to each other. They argued about positions, status, and who would obtain the highest places of honor in Christ’s coming kingdom. Jesus always shot down those kinds of comparisons and speculations, and he does it again here.
Sometimes we get distracted from following the Lord with all of our hearts because we’re looking at what he is doing in someone else’s life. Jesus wants each of us to trust that if we are part of his flock, he cares for each of us, and will take care of our individual needs and aspirations as he sees fit.
Lesson 10: I am returning to you.
In case you missed it in Jesus’s response in Lesson 9, he said, “…until I return.” He had alluded to this many times as he told parables and taught them about his walk toward the Cross and what would come after.
Jesus, when he ascended, was going to the Father to prepare a place for his people. It’s a place with “many mansions” (John 14:2). It is a place of peace, joy, and unending worship.
Jesus wants us to remember that we have an eternal and glorious heavenly home, and we will live with him forever. He is the bridegroom. He is making a home ready for us, his bride, his Church. He will return to gather us together and escort us home.
Lesson 11: In the meantime, you will do miraculous things in my name!
After his resurrection, before departing the earth, Jesus declared,
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18)
Jesus promised that when he ascended to the Father, he would send us a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would empower us to live in the miraculous. As we live out whatever time remains here on earth, we should exhibit supernatural signs that we belong to him.
Lesson 12: I will always be with you!
While it is true that we have to wait to see Jesus face to face and fully experience his presence, he is with us through the Spirit at all times. He empowers us and authorizes us to be his witnesses. The resurrected Jesus commanded his disciples:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
We are not orphans (John 14:18). As we represent Jesus on the earth, he represents us in the heavenly realms. As our advocate, he is constantly making intercession for us with the Father. He never lets go of us or loses us. Nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8: 38-39). He is our constant friend forever.
To summarize this second group of lessons:
Loving Jesus means loving and caring for his people, even the unlovable ones. We aren’t to obsess over the past or the future; nor are we to be envious or overly concerned about what other people are doing to serve God. We are to simply follow the Lord where he leads. As the angels testified on the mount of his ascension, he promised to return and take us with him next time. As we wait for that day, we are to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, knowing that he is always with us, loving, teaching, and leading.
1See two previous writings on this topic, Judas Conspiracy/Peter Recovery and Emotional Bruises.
2Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, accessed May 9, 2023 at https://utmost.org/classic/the-unrelieved-quest-classic/.
