Chronological Gospels: John 20-21
This week we conclude our year-long journey through the gospels and end on a beautiful note. John concludes his gospel account with several unique and emphasized details. One aspect that I notice in John 20-21 is that Jesus focuses His attention on two particular people when He appears to His followers after the resurrection.
Mary Magdalene is the first He gives special attention to. Mary is the one who went back to tend to Jesus’ body and is the first Jesus reveals Himself to after He rose from the dead. Mary was so deeply devoted to Jesus and was so excited to see Him alive again. Jesus told her to go and tell the disciples she had seen Him alive.
There is so much hope and comfort for us in this moment. Mary sought the Lord desperately, and she was the first one He revealed Himself to. He promises us, too, that if we earnestly seek Him we will find Him.
What does Jesus’ encounter with Mary teach you about your relationship with the Lord?
Later, Jesus reveals Himself to the others by entering a locked room and proceeding to give them the gift of the Holy Spirit. This moment is incredible. Just as life was given to the first person, Adam, by the breath of God, spiritual life is given to the first apostles by the breath of the Son of God. Creation began with the breath of God, and the new creation begins with the breath of Jesus Christ.
Jesus gives the disciples a commission. They are to go and tell the world the truth of the gospel and with this the truth about the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness comes to those who believe in the gospel, and those who believe and repent can be confident in the forgiveness they have received.
As John closes his gospel account, I find it so encouraging to read about Peter. Jesus knew Mary needed to see Him, and He also knew Peter needed some special attention before He ascended as well. Jesus asked Peter if Peter loves Him three times. Jesus uses a word for love that is a deep, committed, faithful love whereas Peter uses a word for love that indicates fondness, affection, and personal attachment.
Peter uses a less significant word for love, maybe because he understands now that no one can match the love of Jesus. Peter appears humbled, and rightfully so. At this moment Jesus chooses to give Peter a specific call – to feed His lambs and shepherd His sheep. It is in this call Jesus teaches the importance of spiritual growth. The lambs, the less mature in faith, need to be spiritually fed, whereas the sheep, the more spiritually mature, need spiritual guidance. No one should remain as a lamb.
Then Peter does what Peter does and starts comparing himself to someone else.
The gospel of John closes with Jesus teaching Peter, and all future generations of believers, to focus on doing the will of God ourselves. It is not for us to say what God has called others to do, but it is for us to obey the call He has given each of us individually. We are all called to obedience as followers, but God uses each of us uniquely for His will.
Focus on doing the will of God. Focus on the job Christ gave each of us to do to share the gospel with the world, teach others about salvation and forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ, and feed the lambs and lead the sheep in the unique ways the Lord has commissioned each of us to do for His glory.
What does this teach you about Jesus?
What does this teach you about your relationship with Jesus?
What does this teach you about your own commission?
What are some ways you can share the gospel with others?
