Tiberias Reunion
Introduction: Several scripture passages contain statements that Jesus would go ahead of the apostles to meet with them in Galilee after he was raised. John is the only gospel writer to give detail of that meeting at the sea of Tiberias. That account is in the last chapter of John’s gospel, and it includes a very personal conversation between Jesus and Peter. John does not make any reference to the final meeting of Christ and the apostles at the Mount of Olives before his ascension, but that event is part of the other three gospels.
NOTE: Bible passages are from the American King James Version.
A — Instructions to Meet in Galilee After the Resurrection
Mark 14 “27 And Jesus said to them, All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”
Mark 16 “6 He said to them, Be not affrighted: You seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee: there shall you see him, as he said to you.”
Comments: Matthew 26:30-32 is very similar to the first passage above from Mark, when Jesus told the eleven he would meet with them in Galilee after his resurrection. The second Mark passage takes place at the empty tomb, and Matthew 28:5-8 has parallel wording. Those four passages confirmed that the risen Christ Jesus would meet with the apostles in Galilee. I chose the two passages from Mark for brevity, and because Peter is specifically named only in Mark 16:7. Peter is a central character in the Tiberias reunion.
B — John Described the Second Visit in the Upper Room
John 20 “27 Then said he to Thomas, Reach here your finger, and behold my hands; and reach here your hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said to him, My LORD and my God. 29 Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Comments: This second meeting in the upper room when Thomas was present is not recorded in the other three gospel accounts. When Thomas was confronted in person by the risen Christ, he quickly responded in belief by addressing Jesus as “my Lord and my God!” In the closing section of this chapter 20, John provided a very special perspective about faith in Christ for all who will accept the written Word of God: “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” The Holy Spirit guided John to tell his readers that all the signs that Jesus performed which have been written are given “that believing you might have life through his name.”
C — The Promised Meeting in Galilee
John 21 “3 Simon Peter said to them, I go a fishing. They say to him, We also go with you. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 6 And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord. 12 Jesus said to them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples dared ask him, Who are you? knowing that it was the Lord. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.”
Comments: Chapter 21 opens with “after these things,” referring to chapter 20. It caught my attention that Simon Peter and Thomas are the first two names among the seven apostles listed who are together at the sea of Tiberias. The description of fishermen at work is very reminiscent of the starting point for four men who had been called away from their occupation to follow the Lord. The men in the boat did not recognize Jesus standing on the shore until they followed his instructions and had an abundance of fish in their net. When Jesus invited them to join him to dine, they were all certain of his identity without question.
D — Jesus Questioned Simon Peter Three Times
John 21 “15 So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Love you me? And he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. 19 And when he had spoken this, he said to him, Follow me.”
Comments: Jesus had given Simon the surname of Peter, yet he addressed him as Simon, son of Jonas, three times as he challenged the fidelity of his love. Peter was deeply saddened by the repetitive question, but he had denied that he knew Jesus three times the night of the arrest. The Lord Jesus was making it clear to Peter that the time had now come for him to permanently leave his occupation and be dedicated to provide the food of the Word to the sheep of the Great Shepherd. And Jesus told Peter that he would be killed in that service, but his death would bring glory to God.
E — Many Other Things Too Numerous to Be Written
John 21 “22 Jesus said to him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to you? follow you me. 24 This is the disciple which testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”
Comments: When Peter saw that John was also following, he asked the Lord what John would be doing. The answer that Jesus gave was ambiguous, but firmly indicated that Peter was to concentrate on his own service and not that of others. Without using his own name, John wrote that he was the one giving this testimony, and disciples of the Lord would know that his testimony is true. John closed this final chapter by stating that there are so many other things done by Jesus that the books needed to record them would be innumerable. John’s excellent summary statement about the one who is also my Lord and Savior compels me to do no more than agree with him and add my own Amen!
Reflections in Prayer
I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that through believing I have eternal life. I thank you, Lord, that I saw in these passages a diversity of personalities for those you had chosen to follow you, and the way you enabled them for your purposes. Peter, John, and Thomas each had some distinguishing qualities. They were chosen rather than recognized leaders who had religious, political, or commercial distinction within their society. You know each person so intimately, and you direct those you choose into ways best suited for their service in your kingdom. May I continually humble myself before you and seek more direction from your Word to serve you. Amen.
Published 10 May 2017