Page 35 - Part One

in Yeshua it is forgiven to the uttermost. Mary was among the first to see the risen Lord. Yeshua
knew that she and His other disciples would be confused, and so He came among them again before
going back to be with the Father from whom He had come.

Chapter 21. There is a monument on the shores of the Sea of Galilee to remind visitors about what
we read in this Chapter. In real time and in a real place Yeshua came among His disciples where He
had first called them. This place is just a little round the shore from Capernaum, where Peter had
lived as a fisherman and where Yeshua walked with His disciples. Just as this is a favourite chapter
of the Bible, this is a favourite place to visit in the entire Land of Israel. Peter the fisherman had
been called to follow Yeshua some years before. He left His nets and was among the closest of the
Lord’s disciples, even seeing Him transfigured on the mountain in the presence of Moses and Elijah,
two witnesses who confirmed exactly who He was and is. It was Peter who answered Yeshua’s
question on one of their walks to a city in Israel. “Who do people say I am”, asked Yeshua. It was
Peter to whom it was revealed that He was, Messiah, Son of the Living God. Yet it was this same
Peter who denied Him, having overstated his ability to follow Him to the Cross and fearful for his
life. This was not the same as the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Yeshua knew the heart of Peter and
knew that he could restore him. Here, in this chapter, John records how they ate fish again with
Yeshua on the shores of Galilee, and were commissioned by Him to their own individual works. He
draws special reference to the reinstatement of Peter. This is a very special moment and a message
for all of us who have been like Peter and need a fresh touch from the Lord. Later we learn how
Peter was powerfully used as an Apostle. His recommissioning took place here on the seashore
where he was first called to follow the Lord. On both occasions there was a miraculous catch of
fish. How often do we need to return to the “altar” where we made our first bold commitment to
God and yet failed to live up to God's call on our lives? It happened to Jacob at Bethel, to Peter on
the shore of Galilee, and can happen to us sacrifices and priestly service. It was central to their life
and their traditions. The writer to the Hebrews argued step by step to show them that the New
Covenant is now fully established through Yeshua. The Cross was the Altar where He made His
sacrifice for sin once and for all. Once the Priests of the Old Covenant interceded at the Altar of
Incense: now He is the High Priest who intercedes for His people. Every type and shadow of the
Tabernacle ministry is fulfilled through Him Several times in these chapters we read about the
cleansing of the conscience of God’s people. The sacrifices of the Tabernacle provided atonement
but not a permanent change of heart and mind. Day after day blood of animals would be poured out.
At some Feasts there were hundreds, if not thousands, of animals slaughtered to atone for sin. This
is the sin that began at the Fall of Adam and Eve and was inherited by every human being. Sin
caused separation from God who created us. The lesson of sin leading to death was learned
thousands of times over at the sight of innocent animals having their blood poured out on the Altar.
Yet, with all this, the need still remained for permanent cleansing of sin, cleansing of conscience
and atonement with God – and this happened through the death and resurrection of Yeshua. All that
went before was now declared as dead works. Read the words of the Bible as they are written in
clear explanation of what Yeshua did, first for the Children of Israel and then, through this same
New Covenant, for Gentiles also.