During the past three weeks I’ve enjoyed reading one chapter a day in the gospel according to John and sharing with you some of my thoughts. Today is chapter 21, the final chapter in this book written by the disciple whom Jesus loved.
What strikes me is the conversation between and Peter and Jesus. After they had finished eating breakfast, Jesus asked Peter the same question three times: “Do you love Me?”
After the third time, Peter was “grieved” (verse 17). All of us can understand why this made Peter feel bad. He had denied Jesus three times and that wound was still fresh. Some might think Jesus was being unkind by asking the question three times, but I think Jesus was doing two things.
One, Jesus was letting Peter know that He was not finished with him yet. Jesus still had a future for Peter in ministry. Notice that three times Jesus asked Peter that probing question. Three times confessed his love for Jesus, after which Jesus gave Peter a mission for the future:
• “Tend My lambs” (verse 15)
• “Shepherd My sheep” (verse 16)
• “Tend My sheep” (verse 17)
Yes, Jesus asked the question three times, but He also gave Peter an assignment three times. Jesus was making it clear that even though Peter had denied Him, Peter’s life was not over. He had a future and it included serving Jesus. Peter’s past did not have to define his future.
God’s lovingly restores His children who fail Him when we are grieved by our sin and repent of it. It doesn’t always undo the damage of the past, but it does always give us a future. Jesus’ love really is amazing.
Two, Jesus was teaching Peter an important lesson. Notice that in verse 15 Jesus asked Peter: “do you love Me more than these?” The “these” are the other disciples who were there that morning.
It was Peter who had boasted during the disciples last supper with Jesus that he would “lay down” his life for Jesus (John 13:37). It was Peter who had promised – “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33). It was Peter who had proudly claimed as the disciples argued about which of them was the greatest – “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33). As we all know, it was this same Peter who cursed and denied knowing Jesus three times.
Jesus was asking Peter if he still thought he was better than the other disciples – did he love Jesus “more than” the others. Had Peter learned his lesson? Did he now understand that spiritual pride is sin? Was he still in the habit of comparing himself to other disciples?
To drive His point home, Jesus tells Peter how he is going to die – as an old man, with his hands stretched out and fastened in a place not of his choosing (verses18-19). John, the author of our gospel, overhears the conversation and Peter falls back into his old habit. In verses 20-21 Peter asks Jesus what will happen to John. Jesus basically tells Peter – it’s none of your business (verse 22).
Like many of us, Peter struggled to follow Jesus without comparing himself to others. It was one of his major weaknesses.
What Jesus told Peter is what He tells each of us – just “follow Me” (verse 19). Jesus was telling Peter – and us – to follow Him and His will for our lives, no matter what it is. He was also telling Peter – and us – that His will for other disciples is just that, His will and none of our business.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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