After the resurrection, Jesus was seen by his disciples and many others for forty days. In John's Gospel there are three specific occasions mentioned where Jesus met with his disciples. There are three powerful words that we hear from Jesus on these appearances.
First Jesus appears to the disciples who were gathered together on Sunday evening. His words to them are recorded on John 20:23:
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
This first powerful word is FORGIVE. Jesus appears to his disciples who have been in hiding for fear of the Jews. They had run in fear after His arrest. They scattered and left Him alone. Forgiveness was something they needed. Jesus was teaching them that forgiveness is powerful, and He was entrusting them with this awesome power to forgive. In fact, when we forgive, we liberate ourselves and others.
The second word from our Lord comes just one week later, this word is BELIEVE. Thomas wasn't at the meeting the week before, and Jesus was so aware of his need. Thomas had said, "unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." Thomas was so filled with doubt, that his story strengthens our faith. Many of us may be like Thomas. Therefore, when he sees the Lord at this second appearance, Jesus teaches us about faith. His word to Thomas in John 20:27:
Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.
Then he reaches out to all of us in verse 29 where he says:
Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Jesus' third word comes to us as he meets the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. Here he focuses on Peter, and teaches us about LOVE. Peter had denied the Lord three times. He didn't run and hide like the others, but even though he was nearby, he was overcome by fear. The Lord knew Peter's need, and on this meeting chose to teach us about loving Him. Peter had taken several of the other disciples fishing the night before, and even though he and the sons of Zebedee were excellent fishermen they had caught nothing. Early the next morning they saw a man standing on the shore, but didn't realize it was Jesus. Then he called out and asked them if they had caught any fish. When they answered, "no," he told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat and they would find fish. Of course, they did, and they caught a great number of fish. Then John said, "It is the Lord," and Peter jumped into the water and went to Jesus. It is on the heels of this event that Jesus, teaches this love lesson to Peter. In the 21st chapter of John, verse 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."
This scenario is repeated similarly three times! Jesus asks, and Peter replies. Each time Peter declares, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." What we don't hear are the subtle differences.
The first two times Jesus asks the question he uses the Greek word, agape, which is that supreme love that God has for us. Peter answers with another word, not nearly as strong as agape. It is the word, phileo, which is that strong feeling we have for a friend. Peter, just could not respond that he loved the Lord with the same awesome love that God has for us. He could only say, "yes, Lord, you're my friend." The awesome word here, is that Jesus come to Peter, the third time, changing the question, using the same word that Peter has used each time. It might read, "Peter, are you really my friend?" "Yes, Lord," Peter responds, "I am your friend." Jesus says, "then feed my sheep." We are to demonstrate our love for the Lord by the way we serve others.
What powerful words the Lord left for us before His ascension: Forgive, Believe, and Love. These awesome words are a pathway to power, because on the day of His ascension He reminds them to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the "Promise of the Father," the Power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to Forgive, Believe, and Love.
First Jesus appears to the disciples who were gathered together on Sunday evening. His words to them are recorded on John 20:23:
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
This first powerful word is FORGIVE. Jesus appears to his disciples who have been in hiding for fear of the Jews. They had run in fear after His arrest. They scattered and left Him alone. Forgiveness was something they needed. Jesus was teaching them that forgiveness is powerful, and He was entrusting them with this awesome power to forgive. In fact, when we forgive, we liberate ourselves and others.
The second word from our Lord comes just one week later, this word is BELIEVE. Thomas wasn't at the meeting the week before, and Jesus was so aware of his need. Thomas had said, "unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." Thomas was so filled with doubt, that his story strengthens our faith. Many of us may be like Thomas. Therefore, when he sees the Lord at this second appearance, Jesus teaches us about faith. His word to Thomas in John 20:27:
Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.
Then he reaches out to all of us in verse 29 where he says:
Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Jesus' third word comes to us as he meets the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. Here he focuses on Peter, and teaches us about LOVE. Peter had denied the Lord three times. He didn't run and hide like the others, but even though he was nearby, he was overcome by fear. The Lord knew Peter's need, and on this meeting chose to teach us about loving Him. Peter had taken several of the other disciples fishing the night before, and even though he and the sons of Zebedee were excellent fishermen they had caught nothing. Early the next morning they saw a man standing on the shore, but didn't realize it was Jesus. Then he called out and asked them if they had caught any fish. When they answered, "no," he told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat and they would find fish. Of course, they did, and they caught a great number of fish. Then John said, "It is the Lord," and Peter jumped into the water and went to Jesus. It is on the heels of this event that Jesus, teaches this love lesson to Peter. In the 21st chapter of John, verse 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."
This scenario is repeated similarly three times! Jesus asks, and Peter replies. Each time Peter declares, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." What we don't hear are the subtle differences.
The first two times Jesus asks the question he uses the Greek word, agape, which is that supreme love that God has for us. Peter answers with another word, not nearly as strong as agape. It is the word, phileo, which is that strong feeling we have for a friend. Peter, just could not respond that he loved the Lord with the same awesome love that God has for us. He could only say, "yes, Lord, you're my friend." The awesome word here, is that Jesus come to Peter, the third time, changing the question, using the same word that Peter has used each time. It might read, "Peter, are you really my friend?" "Yes, Lord," Peter responds, "I am your friend." Jesus says, "then feed my sheep." We are to demonstrate our love for the Lord by the way we serve others.
What powerful words the Lord left for us before His ascension: Forgive, Believe, and Love. These awesome words are a pathway to power, because on the day of His ascension He reminds them to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the "Promise of the Father," the Power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to Forgive, Believe, and Love.
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