May 30, 2007
Matthew 26: 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Summer Series – starts next week
Freedom Fest – July 4
Peter and John
Acts 4:14 – “…they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
As we close our study, I’d like for us to look at two people. These men’s lives were changed dramatically because they were touched by God and walked with the Lord.
· They probably had known each other from childhood.
· There’s a good chance that their fathers worked together. They worked together in a fishing partnership.
· Their lives were pretty tough
o Fishing was a demanding job
o Fishing on the Sea of Galilee was largely done at night
o At daylight they would have to count and sort the fish, clean the nets, and get the fish to market in a timely manner
o Long hours on the water sometimes catching very little or nothing
o Working through all kinds of weather – heat, cold, storms
· Fishing in the 1st century
o Casting net (Matthew 4:18, Mark 1:16)
· 10 to 20 feet in diameter
· Used from shore or boat
· Net was thrown over the water where weights would cause it to be pulled to the bottom
· Fish that were under it would be caught and dragged in
· The may have resorted to casting nets when night fishing had poor yields
o Dragnet
· Large wall like nets – sometimes 300 feet long and 12 feet high
· Attached to the shore or another boat
· A second boat would drag the net in an arc and then double back pulling in the fish
· A team of fishermen were required to pull the net in – Mark 1:20 mentions Zebedee’s hired hands
· The financial rewards were probably not great
o The fishing industry was a regulated economy
o Herodian rulers sold fishing rights to brokers, commonly known as tax collectors or publicans, who in turn contracted to fishers.
o The toll office in Capernaum, operated by Matthew (or Levi), probably identifies him as a contractor of royal fishing rights (Matt 9:9, Mk. 2:14).
· Think for a moment of the makeup of the apostles
· Matthew was thrown in with a bunch of fishermen
· Simon was a Zealot – there was a sub-group of the Zealots called the Sicarii
o Fishing families, like those of the sons of Zebedee, formed cooperatives or collectives in order to bid for fishing leases. They in turn hired day laborers to man their boats, along with their sons.
o Some commentators say that the payment was not regular and often lacking
o Taxation rates could be as high as 40 percent
o Competition may have been pretty high – Josephus reports 230 fishing boats on the Sea of Galilee
· They may have been pretty coarse although scripture doesn’t specifically say so (or does it?)
o Language
o Temper
o Attitude
· Work left little time for education and society
Jesus is going to take these two ordinary men and turn them into something extraordinary - not through anything that’s miraculous but through teaching them and giving them the example of what it means to follow God and to love Him.
Even though Paul was writing to the Christians at Corinth, his words would apply to Peter and John:
I Corinthians 1:26-31
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
· He knew them before they were chosen because He created them
· He prayed for them before they were chosen.
· He didn’t choose priests or rabbis or scribes, Pharisees or Sadducees
· He chose fisherman, a tax collector, common men
o People like you and me
o Sometimes stubborn
o Sometimes foolish
o Sometimes they shot off their mouths without thinking
o Sometimes they turned their backs on Christ
o Sometimes they fought for Him
o Sometimes they were so intent on their own selfish wishes that they missed the lessons being taught to them by the Creator of the world
o Sometimes they lost faith
o Sometimes they showed incredible faith
· And yet…
o He loved them
o He shaped them
o He corrected them
o He taught them
o He reassured them
Why should we think that He will do any less for us?
· After spending countless hours together on the water, they would spend years together with Christ, although it would really be a relatively short period of time – especially considering what Christ had to accomplish with them.
· They would share some of the most intimate moments of Christ’s ministry
· They would be the most prolific preachers of the gospel in the first part of the church’s history
· They would stand side by side against the strongest religious leaders of the day
· They would share Christ with anyone that would listen
· They would be beaten and imprisoned for the sake of the gospel
· They would be miraculously delivered from jail
· They would be aided by angels
· Paul would call them “pillars of the church” (Galatians 2:9)
· They would be inspired by the Holy Spirit to contribute to God’s Word
· Tradition tells that one of these men would die for proclaiming his Savior, the other would grow to an old age – both would remain faithful till death
Acts 4:14 – “…they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
The Calling of the First Disciples
Mark 1:14-20
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Luke 5:1-11
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Peter, James, and John - The Transfiguration
Luke 9:28-36
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.
· Raising of Jairus’ daughter
· Jesus calming the storm
· Countless healings
· Peter confesses Christ – multiple times
o Matthew 16:15-16 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
o John 6:67-69 – “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God”
· Peter is rebuked by Jesus (“Get behind me, Satan”) – Matthew 8
· Last Supper – washing of feet
· Garden of Gethsemane
· Peter drawing a sword at Jesus’ arrest
Peter - Jesus Walks on the Water
Matthew 14:22-36
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Peter Disowns Jesus
Luke 22:54-62
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
James and John - The Request of James and John
Mark 10:35-45
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
James and John - Samaritan Opposition
Luke 9:51-56
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went to another village.
John - Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
Mark 9:38-41
38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish
John 21:1-14
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you now that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.18 I tell you the truth, 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Peter
Acts 4:19-20 – “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
I Peter 1:3-7
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Deeply – fervently, “stretched to the limit”
I Peter 5:5-6
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
I Peter 5:8-11
8 Be controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
· What was Peter thinking as he wrote these words, what was he remembering
· From proud to humble
· From unwilling to serve (last supper) to loving
· From denying Christ to boldly proclaiming the gospel
· From not being able to heal (Matthew 17:16) to people wanting the sick to just be touched by his shadow (Acts 5:15)
John
· Went from being a “Son of Thunder” to being the “Apostle of Love”
· Tradition says that he never left Jerusalem until Mary died
· Tradition says that in his old age he had to be carried into the church at Ephesus. He would repeat “My little children, love one another” over and over. Asked why he said this he answered, “It is the Lord’s command, and if this alone be done, it is enough.”
John defends Christ and His Lordship in his writings:
John 1:1-5, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
I John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
John is writing to battle Gnosticism
We have heard
We have seen
We have touched
John was remembering not only his best friend but also his Savior - the man that He had spent three years following and the man that had molded him into a leader of the early church.
Revelation 1:9-18
· John turns around to see his old friend.
· And yet no mention is made of the friendship,
· no mention is made of “the disciple that Jesus loved.”
· John is in the presence of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords,
· the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
· The Holy Lamb that gave His life for the sins of the world.
· Was John remembering being called on the Sea of Galilee?
· Did he think about the Transfiguration?
· Did he remember seeing Jesus on the cross and wondering if he would ever see his friend again?
Acts 4:14 – “…they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
· Are people astonished that we’ve been with Jesus?
· Are our lives constantly being changed because we’ve been touched by God?
· Are we constantly amazed at God’s Word?