Missions Paul

 

The year is around AD 60-62 and the apostle is under house arrest in Rome, the place where he would be martyred probably around the time of a great city fire (let’s blame Nero) in AD 64. He would not have been crucified as a Roman citizen so he was probably beheaded. Of course no one knows the details exactly but what we do have are 4 incredible prison letters, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Not just incredible, but beautifully crafted, heart-felt and moving letters. Let’s read the opening of his letter which we call ‘Ephesians’ and let us do so slowly.

Ephesians 1:1-3 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

However you would describe your situation today. In your pain; with all your mixed emotions; perhaps distractions and even your failings.

Paul doesn’t start his letter about being locked down or contained or not free to travel. He begins with God.

Read it again. Nearly every word is Christ Jesus or God the Father. For Paul there is no separation. There is no Christ without God. God has made Himself known to us in Jesus.

How can we be in the right place when we are in prison?

I saw on social media a few days ago a posting of the America’s Got Talent show and a man called Archie Williams who came onto the stage to sing, “Don’t let the sun go down on me.” It is hard to watch without tears. The series begins this week. Archie went onto the stage and opened up with this sentence: “I was just incarcerated for 37 years for somebody else’s crime. DNA freed me.” He later explained, “On the morning of December 9 of 1982 a 30-year-old white woman was raped and stabbed in her home. I was arrested on January 4. I couldn’t believe it was really happening. I knew I was innocent. I didn’t commit a crime. But being a poor black kid, I didn’t have the economic ability to fight the state of Louisiana.”

He continued: “At the trial, none of the fingerprints at the scene matched mine. Three people testified that I was at home, but they wanted somebody to pay. I was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or probation.  Days turned into weeks and into months and into decades. It was like a nightmare.”

He concluded with these words, “Freedom is of the mind. I went to prison, but I never let my mind go to prison.”

How can we be in the right place when we are in prison? Only if we don’t allow prison to be the place we are in.

We have got to bring God back into the centre of our prison so that we don’t talk about the prison as much as we do of Him.

Paul would talk about being in prison later but none of his letters begin there. He begins with God.

Our vocabulary must reveal where we are with God not where we are in this world.

If God is with you then you are in the right place.

John 21 v 24-25

“This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 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.”

 

I commenced blogging on John’s gospel on December 22^nd.

So much has happened since then.

It has been a wonderful journey of slowly crawling through this gospel trying to savour all that John has written. Over 5 months of daily meditating on the truth that Jesus spoke, the signs that He delivered and understanding that the most important truth is that Jesus the Word became flesh and lived amongst us. Jesus showed us how to do this life. He has sent us all out as missionaries into this world.

But here is the truth of these end verses: sent by Jesus in the power of the Spirit to create more stories of Jesus.

John ends prophetically whether he knew it or not.

The world does not have enough books to recall all that God has done across the world.

Today there will be more Jesus stories on every continent and every nation of the world.

Today is day 3 of the Elim Africa prayer and fasting week. Leaders from 20 nations of the world have been uniting in prayer for one another knowing that God has not finished yet! He is still writing!

Since December 22^nd there have been people from 58 nations of the world that have been reading through these blogs. That is a huge encouragement to me of course. But the point is in those 58 nations Jesus is creating new stories as His followers continue to lay their lives down for the gospel.

May we all continue to do so until He comes!

What story can be created in you today? He has finished writing your story. How amazing is that?!

John 21: 20-23

“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 rumour spread among the believers 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?”

 

It seems in the early years of the Church people saw John (let’s presume) as a hero. He was the disciple most loved by Jesus. More than that it appeared that Jesus said he wouldn’t die! Of course that’s not what Jesus meant. He was just trying to tell Peter to mind his own business.

Peter and John had walked closely together. They were Jesus’ closest friends. They had seen the transfiguration on the mountain, they were around the table of the last meal, they had been closest to Jesus in the garden of tears, they had been together in the courtyard of denial and they were there witnessing Peter’s reinstatement. It would be only natural for Peter to ask if Jesus had anything to say to John.

Since lockdown it has been difficult to compare ourselves with others in the Church. We can’t look around the building to see if our attendance is higher than the other person. We can’t judge our engagement in worship compared to others. We are in our homes, on our own with Jesus, following Him with no one else watching, just Him. That’s how it should be. We have been stripped back. Still we have social media to compare. Who’s got the best programme, the most likes, the biggest and the best? Who has the smartest answers? What about them? What will happen to those people God?

“None of your business”

“Follow me.”

And that is enough.

Be careful who you turn to. Peter turned away from Jesus and saw John. Stop comparing with others. Don’t turn your eyes from Jesus. This is your race no one else’s. He has a path set for you which is yours and yours alone.

John 21 v19 “Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Here is the grace of God.

Three years previously Jesus had used the exact words.

Gifted students of the day would approach a rabbi and ask “May I follow you?” The rabbi either accepted the student or sent him away to pursue a trade. If he was accepted, it meant the rabbi believed the student had the ability and commitment to become like him.

But Jesus, he chose his followers. He approached them. People who had adopted a trade either because they had been turned down by a rabbi or that they hadn’t even bothered asking because they knew they weren’t good enough.

The decision to follow a rabbi meant total commitment.

Three years later after Peter’s denial, he is now reinstated and once again it is Jesus who initiates with the statement ‘follow me’.

Jesus is saying “I believe in you. I believe you can become like me. I believe you can be committed to me.”

This is incredible grace!

After all that has happened. All that you have failed in. I believe in you. Follow me.

A few days ago I opened the blog with the story of Simba. Let me close with it again.

The lion king does have a happy ending. Simba through the help of a childhood friend begins to return to Pride Lands. He meets a wise monkey who asks Simba “who are you?”

He takes him to a pond and shows him his reflection and as Simba peers in he sees his father’s reflection and hears his voice.

“You are more than that you have become. Remember who you are. You are my son.”

And Jesus still calls to you today. No matter what has happened, “follow me”.

John 21 v18-19

 

“Very truly I tell you, 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!”

 

Do you know what a ginnel is? I live in the Midlands region of England and they don’t have ginnels down here, but they do.

A ginnel is northern English for a narrow passage between buildings. Also known as alleys. Many people wouldn’t walk down a ginnel in the dark on their own. But they are often places that bring you to your destination a lot quicker.

Peter is back. Re-installed and soon to be the main leader of the Church. However Jesus then warns Peter of what is in front of him.

When you are old: Jesus indicates to Peter that he is going to live a life of service. This is good news.

You will stretch out your hands: indicating the crucifixion of Peter. This is not such good news.

That is why John uses the same word that Jesus used of his own crucifixion: glory!

Light, brilliance, an explosion of His presence, Glory! “Father the time has come, glorify your son.” (17:1)

The only way God is glorified is when you die on a cross. What did the glorification of Jesus look like? It looked like nails, thorns, blood and humiliation. But it also looked like a repentant thief, a believing centurion (surely he was the Son of God) an historical and theological curtain torn in two, a huge earthquake, rocks that were split and graveyards that were emptied, Glory!

Whether in death or in life, we too take up our cross and we take on burdens that weigh heavy and we are led down paths we would rather not go down. Outside influences come upon us. But we willingly lay our lives down. It is total surrender and through it we bring glory to God.

Church tradition has it that between AD67 and 70 Peter wrote 2 Peter from a prison awaiting his death. I am sure his encounter with Jesus on the lake shore was very much in his mind as he was led out to be crucified.

He resisted being crucified the way his Lord was, he never saw himself worthy enough to die the same way. He asked to be crucified upside down and his wish was granted.

He had wrote, “I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.” (2 Peter 1:14-15) Peter went down a path he didn’t want to go. But he did it and it brought glory to Christ. May we live our lives in the shadow of Peter!

 

John 21 v15-17

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you 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 love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know 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.

 

In the Kingdom of God there’s no real appointment before a surrendered heart.

Jesus does not delve into the details of Peter’s denial. “Why Peter? Why did you do it? “

But do you love me? (Agape) It is the highest form, of sacrificial commitment love. Do you agape me Peter? He cannot answer yes so he chooses a lesser word.

Yes I love you? (Phileo) It is a lesser love than agape but nevertheless still a great word, the love found in friendship.

Peter is saying “I can’t pretend anymore. I can’t give you this commitment love, I’m not good enough.” Anyone felt like Peter?

Do you love me? “No not agape Jesus, obviously, but Phileo.”

Jesus is restoring Peter. He will reinstate him and recover him.

Pause for a moment. In the endless conversations of what life will be like when we go back to a new norm. When the Church moves into a post-lockdown season, what will it look like? I’m praying and hoping the opportunity that we have been given during lockdown will mean less that the lockdown changes everything but that Christ will have changed us because of the surrendered heart of his Church. I’m praying and hoping the Church will emerge different not because of digital platforms etc. but that we have been marked with renewed love for Him and for others.

If the Church is going to emerge stronger, appointed for mission, advancing forward then it will be determined by its willingness to surrender right now.

The 3^rd time Peter is questioned (isn’t it lovely that he is questioned the same amount of times he failed?) it is Jesus who changes the word.

Do you love (Phileo) me? It was this question that brings Peter to a complete end. Peter had already told Jesus he did Phileo him. But Jesus asks him.

Jesus was asking, “even if it’s a lesser love, a friendship love, would a friend do what you did?”

Do you really? Do you love me?

We need to be in the place even if it hurts where God has trapped us. Where he locks us down. No excuses, no justifications, all we can do is surrender. Jesus knows where all the fish are. We can’t pretend with him. We can’t deceive him. He knows our hearts.

“You know all things; you know that I love you.”

In that hurtful place of surrender Jesus does the work of re-installing Peter.

“Feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep.”

Jesus pointed Peter to the early church, to responsibility again, credibility, raising his status, lifting his head.

Peter is back. It is going to be great!

However, Jesus has more things to say, disturbing things …

John 21 v5-14

“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 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat 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.”

 

These disciples led by Peter not only had gone back to their fishing, they had gone back as failures, disappointed and for Peter especially in need of healing from the guilt of denial. Making it worse, they came back with nothing. They were not even good fishermen anymore!

Jesus on the shore creates a beautiful scene which is a re-creation of their memories. There are transformational hooks in our memories that we can go back to where we can once again be fired back into life and the person God has called us to be.

• The event of encountering the God who calls.

We know from Luke’s gospel (ch.5) that they have already experienced this miracle of fishing. The outcome of the first miraculous catch of fish was that they received their calling. They would leave everything and follow Jesus. They would be fishers of men. Jesus re-enacts the scene. He is bringing them back to their primary calling. He is re-aligning them.

• The event of encountering a lavish God.

Why did they catch so many? “Remember that miraculous catch when our nets began to tear so we had to call other boats to come and help us?” This time they struggled to pull their nets in because they were full of fish but their nets were not torn. John is one for detail and he shows it by remembering the number. Why 153 large fish? Is this some symbolic meaning understood by those who study numerology? Or is it just a fun number, an odd number just to make everyone smile? I don’t know. But it’s lavish! Jesus is calling them back to walking with a God who produces surprising moments for those who follow him.

 

• The event of encountering a God who multiplies what is in His hand.

Why could the disciples not see a bbq from a 100 yards away? Only if the bbq was quite small. When they land “they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” Jesus doesn’t ask Peter to bring the fish in because he doesn’t have enough to feed them though that is probably what they thought. So here is Peter and the disciples counting up 153 large fish on the shore and then Jesus announces “Breakfast is served!”

No one asks Jesus where he got his fish from?

So 7 fishermen and Jesus have breakfast that Jesus has already made for them. The original meaning is that Jesus had 1 fish and a bread (cake). He didn’t have a lot on that bbq. The disciples turn away from the 153 large fish and start eating the breakfast Jesus had prepared for them. “Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.” Their minds are taken back of course to the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus didn’t have much to work with back then either. The multiplication was huge. 5 loaves and 2 titbits of fish which were no more than a garnish to cover the bread compared to the huge need of feeding 5,000 men plus women and children.

God will build with whatever and whoever you have become. I don’t understand it but God is a master at using small things. But put who you are and what you have into the hands of Jesus and see what He does! And there will always be left-overs, whether 12 baskets or 153 large fish!

Whatever you are going through today let God remind you of things in the recesses of your memory. Times when He called you; when He lavished His love and blessing on you and when He took what seemed so small and insignificant and multiplied it many times to bless many.

He is calling you back again from failure and disappointment. He hasn’t finished with you yet.

John 21 v7-9

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. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

 

The first thing Peter sees as he races from the water is a fire of burning coals with fish on it and bread by the side.

Where did Peter deny Jesus?

“Around a fire” (18:18)

Here on the lakeshore Peter is facing a fire with Jesus behind it, it’s a gentle reminder of his failure.

No one says anything, it’s silent.

 

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. (Galatians 6:1)

 

Jesus never says anything to Peter about the failure. “I told you so. I said you would deny me. But oh no you insisted you wouldn’t. You are so full of words and your own importance. When it came to it you were no better than the rest of them. How do you feel now?” That could have been the response. But there is no investigation or inquiry so that lessons could be learnt.

 

There’s just Jesus, Peter and a fire.

 

May the gentleness of Christ lead us to our ‘fires’ that the process of healing and restoration may begin.

 

John 19 v5-7

“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.”

As a child we are taught very early on how to hide. In fact the game hide-and-seek is one of the first games we are taught.

By the time we have reached adulthood we have mastered how to hide. We use it for all kinds of settings when it is needed. We have found we can hide our emotions. We can also hide where we have failed.

Why put a coat on when you have to jump in the water to run to shore 100 yards away? It will become heavy with the water and slow you down. Unless of course that coat was Peters pathetic way of covering up. The denial was still at the forefront of his mind and Jesus has not discussed this, in fact no one has talked about it since it happened. He just carries the failure in his life.

What did Adam and Eve do when they heard God’s footsteps? They dived for cover.

The accuser will always convince you to cover up.

There are many professional Christians pretending to be what they are not.

What are people seeing today? Is it true? Eventually make-up always runs. Are you trying to fit in? Who do you want people to see? Is you not enough? Eventually if you pretend enough you forget who you really were underneath that mask.

He knows. He knew where Adam and Eve were. He knew what was going on inside Peter’s mind. He knows you and me.

 

John 21 v3

“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.”

 

The whole world can be in a party, looking to the future but you can still be gripped with the failure of the past.

We know that post-lockdown some businesses will no longer be there. They were struggling before and they never made it through the lockdown. Not everyone that goes into the wilderness comes out. It is possible that when restrictions are eased and everyone is advancing again that we find some people will have already retreated.

 

Jesus has yet to say anything to Peter about his denial though he had met him a few times since the resurrection. Can you imagine what is going on in his mind? The embarrassment of his failure must have weighed heavy in his heart.

 

In the film Lion King – Simba, a young lion cub is the son of the powerful king of the Pride Lands. His father is killed trying to save Simba from a stampede of buffalo. The truth is Simba should not have been where he was when he was saved. Overwhelmed by guilt for his father’s death he is then confronted by Scar, his wicked uncle. Scar accuses Simba and exposes his shame. Simba cries out, “What shall I do?” The reply seemed the only thing he could do, but it was a message from hell “Run away, Simba, run away and never come back.” This young lion, born to be king, wanders off into the loneliness of exile, never to experience his inheritance, never to know true life again.

 

Let’s become fishermen again. Let’s go back to what we were before we met Jesus. Let’s return to what we know.

 

People have always run away from where they should be.

Hagar ran because Sarah was jealous of her illegitimate son Ishmael.

Moses ran because he was afraid of Pharaoh finding out about his murderous act.

Jonah ran because God asked him to do something that he couldn’t do.

For every kind of reason people find themselves running away.

They do it get geographically but more and more people do it thinking no one can see, for they run away from things that are private, from devotion to God, from enthusiasm for witnessing, from energy for worship, they back away from fellowship that’s too vulnerable. And yet even though they think only they know, the truth is eventually everyone knows.

Peter who replied when Jesus asked ‘Who do you say I am?’ “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”

Peter who promises “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” Now says “I’m going out to fish.”

What about you?

Has the devil declared over your life “Run away, run away and never come back”? Running away because of people’s unkindness, running because of fear, running away from obedience, running because of guilt of your past failure.

It is possible to remain in the same place but have left a long time ago.

If that is you then don’t run anymore. Come back. There’s a man on the shore waiting for you.