Titled - "Lazarus and Didymus"
Written By: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
It was about ten days ago that Christians around the world acknowledged Good Friday. Quite literally, “The Word of God” was executed and put to death. I use that phrasing because of what John wrote: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
All the Old Testament was for the most part nullified with its Seven Covenants. God’s Covenants with man worked for only a few, and not at all for those who received His promises. Then the night before He died, Jesus made a New Covenant. The old ordinances of the Levitical Law were made of no effect, and were replaced with a new one, containing just one rule:
It was about ten days ago that Christians around the world acknowledged Good Friday. Quite literally, “The Word of God” was executed and put to death. I use that phrasing because of what John wrote: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
All the Old Testament was for the most part nullified with its Seven Covenants. God’s Covenants with man worked for only a few, and not at all for those who received His promises. Then the night before He died, Jesus made a New Covenant. The old ordinances of the Levitical Law were made of no effect, and were replaced with a new one, containing just one rule:
"Love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12).
Do not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil? Ineffective! The Ten Commandment? Didn’t work out! The 213 Ordinances of the Levitical Law? Kaput! Mankind surely must frustrate God! Each of these commands, ordinances, and rules were God’s Word! And when the Father sent His only begotten Son to fulfill all of them, they killed even Him! (Parable of the Vinedressers - Matthew 21:33-41)
The Word of God left us with a New Covenant, to just love one another.
The 12 Apostles and other Disciples were sent out with a commission to spread this New Covenant, truly Good News!
God’s Son paid the price so that our sins were covered, and He could afterwards bear to be found in our presence, and we in His. Religion and worship changed. And Jesus proved it by rising from the dead, and continued teaching for another 40 days after His Resurrection! He revealed Himself as alive to many and continued His teachings.
From Colossians 2:14 -
“ . . . blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross.”
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
John 20:24 - 21:14 - Lazarus and Didymus
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
Thomas’ profession of faith is the climax of Christology in John’s Gospel. He wrote this accurate testimony so that you will come to the same conclusion as Thomas and make the same profession of faith. That is what John urges us to do at the end of John 20, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31). Seems like a good ending for John’s Gospel. But it doesn’t end there. So we come to John 21.
After the highpoint of Jesus’ death and resurrection, John 21 almost seems like a letdown. How does this last chapter fit? The answer is that John 21 provides an epilogue to balance the prologue, to tie up loose ends, and to point the disciples and the church forward. You might say it answers the question, “What now?”
John’s prologue (John 1:1-18) connects Jesus Christ to the eternity of God and the beginning of creation; now his epilogue points forward to the continuing work of Jesus through the church.
John 21 addresses some questions that would be left unanswered had the Gospel ended after John 20:31, such as:
- What was the relationship of the Lord Jesus to the disciples after His resurrection? (John 21:1-14 answers this).
- What happened with Peter after his denial of the Lord? (John 21:15-19).
- What about the return of Christ? (John 21:20-23).
- What about all the other things that Jesus did?
- Why didn’t John and the other writers give a more complete biography of Jesus? (John 21:24-25)
So John is tying up some loose ends to complete the story and answer some remaining questions. And at the same time, he is showing us the risen Christ in relation to His disciples and through them how He relates to us. Today we will look at John 21:1-14 when Jesus appears to some disciples at the Sea of Galilee.
John sets the scene for us by saying, “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias [that is, the Sea of Galilee], and in this way He showed Himself . . .”
We see our Risen Lord watching over His disciples, revealing Himself to them, providing for them and calling them to dine with Him.
How does the risen Lord Jesus relate to His followers? He provides for them and serves them. This is the blessing Christ provides for us. Jesus has the same care for us that He did for the disciples. He will provide for our needs, and we will have sweet fellowship with Him.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
John sets the scene for us by saying, “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias [that is, the Sea of Galilee], and in this way He showed Himself . . .”
We see our Risen Lord watching over His disciples, revealing Himself to them, providing for them and calling them to dine with Him.
How does the risen Lord Jesus relate to His followers? He provides for them and serves them. This is the blessing Christ provides for us. Jesus has the same care for us that He did for the disciples. He will provide for our needs, and we will have sweet fellowship with Him.
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Sea of Tiberias (21:1) - The Sea of Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee are the same body of water. The Sea of Galilee is also known as Lake Tiberias, or sometimes Lake Kinneret. The term "Sea of Tiberias" became more prevalent after the city of Tiberias was established on its western shore in the first century CE.
Simon Peter (21:2) - After His resurrection, Jesus specifically named Peter as one who needed to hear the good news (Mark 16:7). And, repeating the miracle of the large catch of fish, Jesus made a special point of forgiving and restoring Peter and re-commissioning him as an apostle (John 21:6, 15-17).
Together (21:2) - Seven of the disciples were involved, the number possibly representing all disciples of the Lord as "fishers of men." The number seven has, of course, symbolized completeness ever since God established the seven-day week in commemoration of the completion of His week of Creation. The Great Commission had now been given, and it would soon be time for the disciples and all those who would follow them to go into all the world as "fishers of men" (see Matthew 4:19).
Together (21:2) - Seven of the disciples were involved, the number possibly representing all disciples of the Lord as "fishers of men." The number seven has, of course, symbolized completeness ever since God established the seven-day week in commemoration of the completion of His week of Creation. The Great Commission had now been given, and it would soon be time for the disciples and all those who would follow them to go into all the world as "fishers of men" (see Matthew 4:19).
I am Going Fishing (21:3) - The most reasonable explanation for Peter and the others to go to Galilee in order to fish was that they went in obedience to the Lord's command to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:16). Peter and the others occupied themselves with fishing, which was their former livelihood, while they awaited Jesus' appearance.
Multitude of Fishes (21:6) - This would remind them immediately of their experience three years earlier, when Jesus had similarly given them a miraculous catch of fishes, and told them that they would "catch men" in the future (Luke 5:1-10).
Multitude of Fishes (21:6) - This would remind them immediately of their experience three years earlier, when Jesus had similarly given them a miraculous catch of fishes, and told them that they would "catch men" in the future (Luke 5:1-10).
That Disciple Whom Jesus Loved (21:7) - John immediately recognized that the stranger was the risen Lord.
Two Hundred Cubits (21:8) - Approximately 300 feet from the shore.
Fish . . . and Bread (21:9) - The disciples had not caught the fish that Jesus had cooked for them. Just as Jesus turned water into wine, fed the thousands on 5 loaves and two fish, He once again miraculously provides a breakfast for His disciples.
One Hundred and Fifty-Three (21:11) -John's recording of the precise number reinforces the fact that he was an eyewitness author of the events he recorded (1 John 1:1-4). Jesus' action here in providing the fish also indicated that He would still provide for His disciples' needs (see Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:25-33).
The Third Time (21:14) - The reference to the "third time" revers only to the appearances reported in John's Gospel, i.e., the first being in 20:19-13 and the second in 20:26-29.