July 3, 2012 – John 21

I have heard the there is significance to the 153 fish and their number.  What I heard is that it was the number of known cultures or nations at the time of Christ.  It was to symbolize that Christ came for all.  I don’t know how accurate that number is, but the sentiment makes sense to me. 

Many people want to put Peter into the category of just another Apostle.  Why then distinguish him with scenes like this.  There is an obvious correlation to the three denials, but there is also a special direction and building up of the leader of the Apostles. It talks about the death Peter would have.  Tradition holds that he was crucified upside down.  I have stood at the place they say it actually happened and seen the bones they say are actually his.  I just don’t see how you can read the Gospels, and Acts for that matter, and not understand that Peter was special and logically understand that a group would need a leader.  It goes back to the whole idea of authority and Truth. 

What was Jesus talking about when He was speaking about John here.  It is believed that John was the only Apostle not martyred.  Is that what Christ meant by “follow Me”, and that John would wait.  John also witnessed the visions of Revelation.  Is that what Jesus was talking about. 

And, here again, we have the Bible saying that all the stories of Christ could not be contained in all the world.  Those stories just have no value because they are not in the Bible if you believe Sola Scriptura.  Hard to believe any story about Christ would not have value.