20
THE K I N G ' S BUS I NES S
Janiiaryt 1935
INTERNATIONAL LESSON Commentary Outline and Exposition Blackboard Lesson Children’s Division Golden Text Illustration Object Lesson B y B. B. S utcliffe B y B essie B. B urch B y H elen G ailey B y A lan S. P earce B y E lmer L. W ilder Points and Problems B y A lva J. M c C lain , Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio
FEBRUARY 3, 1935 PETER’S RESTORATION M ark 16:7; J ohn 20:1-10; 21:1-23
ship—a willingness which is revealed in the early chapters o f the Acts—was not the result o f a selfish desire to assume the preeminent place, but simply a recogni tion that that place was chosen for him, and he chosen for it, by the Lord Him self. III. T he R evelation of the L ord ’ s K nowledge (18, 19). The Lord revealed that He was aware o f all the past, present, and future of Peter’s life, and all that was involved in that life. And Peter’s previous experience had taught him not to question the Lord’s statements. _ He had become assured that if Jesus said a thing was to occur, that thing would come to pass. Peter was the only disciple who actu ally knew he would not be alive when the Lord returned. He knew he would die, and he also knew the character o f his death. Peter’s later life manifested, in its steadfast acknowledgment of the Lord, that the disciple never wavered from alle giance to Christ in all the remaining days o f his journey to death. He did not know the exact time of his decease, but he knew the manner, and his love for Christ stood the supreme test. Peter’s restoration and later ministry should encourage all who find that thejr communion with the Lord has been broken, and that their hearts have become heavy and their spirits depressed. Satan suggests that there can be no remedy for such a situation. But the way to forgive ness and cleansing is still open for all who will accept it (1 John 1:9). Peter’s ex perience proves the truth o f the Word. Points and Problems 1. In verse 11 the words "went up” mean that Peter went “ aboard” the ship, and it would not be inaccurate to so trans late. 2. In verse 12 there seems at first sight a contradiction. Why should the disciples want to ask Him who He was, if they knew He “was the Lord” ? The apparent contradiction disappears if we translate “ventured" instead o f "durst." None of them ventured to ask what would have been a very normal question (if there had been any doubt in their minds as to His identity) ; and the reason they did not ask was that they knew Him. 3. Our Lord waits until "they had dined” before He begins with Peter. With his customary impulsiveness, Peter, hearing John say, “It is the Lord,” had gone over board into the sea and had swum to shore. But the Lord is in no hurry to deal with His erring disciple. Breakfast comes first, perhaps for two reasons. First, our Lord had a blessed sympathy for human need; He knew what it was to be hungry. But, second, He wanted to wait until Peter had time to settle down. It would be interest ing to know what went through Peter’s mind while they ate. 4. It may have no significance, but is it not striking that Peter’s denial took place
the sins of the servants involve others. Hence, as an apostle, Peter needed to have his prestige and authority publicly re stored. When the Lord had told His disciples that they all would be offended (Matt. 26:31), Peter had declared that whatever the others might do, he himself would never be offended. He thus had taken the stand that his love for the Lord was greater than that of the other disciples. Later, the Lord’s question reminded him o f this assertion (v. 15). The Lord used a word for “love” which means a love that expects nothing in return. Peter did not trust himself to use such a w ord; he used one which means a love which does expect a return. Once again, the Lord asked the same question, using the same word as at first, and Peter answered with the other word (v. 16). The third time, Jesus asked the question, using Peter’s word for love (v. 17). After his terrible failure, Peter could not very well say that he loved the Lord, The other disciples, standing there, knew o f his denial with its oaths and curses. I f Peter had claimed that he had really loved the Lord, they would have looked upon him as a hypocrite. But Peter knew the Lord; therefore he said: “Lord, thou knowest all things.” In other words, he implied: Thou knowest, what these standing here also know, that I did deny Thee; but Thou knowest also what these disciples do not know, that underneath it all and in spite o f that denial, I do love Thee. Peter appealed to the understand ing o f our Lord, whose knowledge is uni versal and all-inclusive. That Peter was restored not only to fel lowship with the Lord, but also to his position among the apostles, is seen in the Lord’s threefold injunction to “ feed” His “lambs” and His “sheep” (vs. 15-17). In a spiritual sense, Peter was to secure food for them, to guard them from dangers, and to guide them in their ways. But it is to be remembered that the restoration to this position was secured only when, in deep humility, Peter had revealed that his lesson had been learned, and that he no longer relied upon himself, but upon the Lord. Thenceforth, Peter’s position was never questioned by the disciples, and his readiness to assume the place o f leader- BLACKBOARD LESSON
Lesson T ext: John 21:11-19. Golden T ext: “ Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee” (John 21:17). Outline and Exposition I. T he R eality of the L ord ’ s R esurrection (11-14). T his was the third time our Lord showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection (v. 14). To assure them o f His presence with them, to encourage them in their service, and to allay all questionings o f their minds, He gave them proof upon proof of His resurrection (Acts 1 :3). First, He revealed His power by means o f the draft o f fishes (v. 11). These dis ciples had toiled all night, but had taken nothing. But at the word o f the Lord, they had let down their net, and had taken in one hundred and fifty-three fishes. This incident was symbolic of the result which the disciples could expect when they should go out to catch men, as Christ had promised (Mk. 1:17). Through their own wisdom and ability, they would not be able to catch any, but by obedient follow ing o f the Lord’s directions, they would catch many. Second, He revealed His care for His followers, first, in the provision of “a fire o f coals . . . and fish laid thereon, and bread” ; and, second, in the invitation to them to come and eat what He had pre pared for them (vs. 9, 12). He would thus let them know that He was the very same Lord who had fed the five thousand with a few loaves, the same One who had performed the other mighty works with which they were familiar. The disciples could thus be assured that He would be with them and would provide for them, as they went forth to perform that service for which He had chosen them. Finally, He revealed His true humanity by taking the bread and fish, and eating with the disciples (v. 13; cf. Acts 10:41; Lk. 24:41-43). Here was no spirit with out corporeality, but a living, breathing, eating, drinking, human being o f flesh and bones, who had died and was alive again. The literal character of the resur rection o f the Lord Jesus became the foundation upon which all the preaching and teaching of the disciples.rested. This aspect o f our Lord’s resurrection cannot be too strongly stressed. II. T he R estoration of the L ord ’ s S ervant (15-17). As a disciple, Peter had been restored to fellowship with his Lord, in a private interview previous to the incident record ed in our lesson (cf. 1 Cor. 15:5). What occurred at that time no one knows; the sins of the saints are matters settled be tween themselves and the Lord alone. But
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