StoneBridge Community Church
Senior Pastor Jon Saur
In the "Divine Appointments" sermon series, Jesus' interactions with different characters in the Gospel of John will be examined, so that we can recognize how Jesus interacts with us in our lives.
John 21:15-19 NRSV
Who was Peter?
Peter was one of Jesus' closest disciples and one of the most prominent early church leaders in the Book of Acts. His name was originally "Simon," but Jesus renamed him "Cephas," or "Peter." His name means "rock" or "stone".
More than any other character besides Jesus, Peter's personality comes through in the gospels. He was enthusiastic, brash, and spoke before thinking. He was also devoted to Jesus. In Matthew, Mark and Luke, it is Peter who first confesses Jesus as the Christ. In the Gospel of John, Peter is the first to recognize that Jesus has the "words of eternal life."
In Jesus' greatest hour of need, having been arrested and tortured, Peter famously denied knowing Jesus three times. Peter wass outside waiting to see what would happen with Jesus and was asked three times if he knew Jesus. All three times, he vehemently denied knowing Jesus. These denials were why Jesus restored Peter.
Matthew, Mark and Luke don't tell us about Jesus restoring Peter but, the Gospel of John emphasizes the restoration of Peter. Peter's restoration takes place in the final scene of John's gospel.
Restoration in the Bible
The word "restoration" can mean "to bring something back to a former condition." It can also mean, "to bring something to an improved condition". Think of a painting being restored. Often, it isn't just returned to its previous condition but instead, is improved and enlightened. Or, think of those who restore automobiles.
One of God's core desires is to restore creation. The theme of "restoration" is very prominent throughout the Bible. Below are a few Bible verses that highlight God's restoration.
Jeremiah 30:17 NRSV
Job 42:10 NRSV
Amos 9:14 NRSV
Zechariah 9:12 NRSV
1 Peter 5:10 NRSV
Quote on Restoration
Presbyterian pastor Tim Keller sums up the Biblical idea of restoration well when he writes, "But resurrection is not just consolation - it is restoration. We get it all back - the love, the loved ones, the goods, the beauties of this life - but in new, unimaginable degrees of glory and joy and strength."
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. How do you define the word "restoration?" What images or processes come to mind when you think of restoration?
2. What has God already restored in your life? Or, what have you witnessed God restore in someone else's life?
3. What are you still hoping God will restore? What are some areas of your life that are still unresolved and in need of God's restoration?
4. Do you have any hopes or expectations for how God might restore our world after this pandemic? What are they?
QUESTIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
1. What does it mean to "restore" something?
2. Is there something in your life, or in the world, you think should be restored? If so, what is it?
3. Spend some time praying, asking that Jesus will restore what needs to be restored in your life or in the world.
