Encountering the Risen Jesus

Following Jesus PART I
Rev. Aaron Bjerke
27 April 2014

Mark 14:27-31
27You will all fall away, "Jesus told them, "for it is written:
"I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered

28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
30"Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today--yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times
31But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."  And all others said the same.

John 21:15-25
15When they 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."

16Again 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."

17The 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,  18Very 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."  19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God,  Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.  (This was the one who leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")  21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?  You must follow me."  23Because of this, the rumor 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?"

24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down.  We know that his testimony is true.

25Jesus 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.

FOLLOWING JESUS IS HISTORICALLY SOUND
Disciples scattered quickly after Jesus was arrested
Numbers from thousands dwindled to twelve to eleven to one...to none
Like most messiah stories, people left after their messiah died
What made them come back?
He came back

FOLLOWING JESUS IS EMOTIONALLY HEALING
--Jesus engaged Peter's brokenness
--Passages from John wasn't about forgiveness.
--Jesus addresses Peter's guilt and lingering unfaithfulness.
--Providing grace for sin and guilt
--it's time to move on

FOLLOWING JESUS IS REDIRECTING
--Share in his mission
--Recall Paul's conversion.