THE SAYINGS OF THE CRUCIFIXION (33)

 

Jesus Causes Peter to Examine Himself

John 21:15-17

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     In our last lesson on “The Sayings of the Crucifixion,” Jesus had made an appearance to seven of His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

1.       A miracle was performed, and the disciples caught a net full of fish (John 21:6)

2.       A meal was prepared, and the disciples ate with their Master (John 21:13).

 

Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

 

B.      Peter was among those who were present on this occasion.  In fact, when John had told him that Jesus on the shore, Peter jumped out of the boat and swam to Jesus as quickly as possible (John 21:7).

 

C.     This was not the first time Peter had seen the Lord.  In fact, it is the fourth time he has seen Him.

1.       He saw Him in the upper room on the evening of the Lord’s resurrection.

2.       He saw Jesus the following week when He appeared to them again and Thomas was present.

3.       The book of Luke mentions another time when Peter saw the Lord, but we are not given the details of that appearance (Luke 24:34).

 

D.     On this occasion, however, Jesus specifically turns to Peter and confronts him (John 21:15a).

 

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter…

 

I.                    BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 

A.     During the Lord’s ministry, Peter was very bold in stating that he would be loyal to Jesus through thick or thin.

1.       Matthew 26:33

 

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet I will never be offended.

2.       Matthew 26:35

 

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee…

 

3.       John 13:37

 

Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?  I will lay down my life for thy sake.

 

4.       NOTE:  In the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter was the one who drew his sword and smote of the ear of a man named Malchus (John 18:10).

 

B.      But, once Jesus was arrested, Peter’s temperament changed.  He was not the courageous disciple.  In fact, he denied the Lord three times.

1.       To a damsel he said:  “I know not what thou sayest,” when she confronted him about being with Jesus of Nazareth (Matt. 26:70).

2.       To a maid, he denied with an oath and said:  “I know not the man” (Matt. 26:72).

3.       Then when confronted by others, “Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man” (Matt. 26:74).

 

C.     When he made that final denial, three things transpired.

1.       The cock crowed (Matt. 26:74).

2.       Jesus turned and looked upon Peter (Luke 22:61).

3.       “And Peter went out, and wept bitterly” (Luke 21:62).

 

D.     Having now seen the Lord on three previous occasions, all of this seems to be behind Peter.  He has repented and yearns to be a faithful apostle and disciple of Jesus Christ. 

 

E.      But, Jesus needs to talk to Peter.

1.       Was this a rebuke?

2.       Was this an interrogation?

3.       Was this a teachable moment?

4.       Was this revenge?

5.       Was this to shame and embarrass Peter before the other apostles due to his previous actions?

6.       We do not believe any of these things serves as the purpose of this discussion.  It seems that “Jesus Causes Peter to Examine Himself.”

a.       Peter has been through a lot.

b.      However, soon the Holy Spirit is about to be outpoured on these men, and they will have a magnificent mission to carry out.

c.       Was Peter really ready?  Remember, it was Peter who had been given the task of taking the keys of the kingdom and opening it to both Jews and Gentiles (Matt. 16:19a).

 

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven…

 

d.      Jesus takes this opportunity, to help Peter look deep into his heart and consider his love for His Master.

 

II.                 CHRIST’S PROBING AND PETER’S PONDERING (John 21:15 -17)  (NOTE:  There are three sections to this self-examination.  Each of them contains the same elements).

 

A.     First Section (John 21:15)

1.       The Challenge (John 21:15a)

 

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

 

a.       The conversation has turned personal.  Jesus calls Peter by name.

b.      The other six men are present and hear this discussion.

c.       The discussion centers on Peter’s love for the Lord.

1)      Lovest

a)      Strong (25):  the word comes from the Greek word “apape,” to love in a social or moral sense

b)      Thayer:  to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly

c)       Vine:  this love is the very nature of God, it seeks the good will of others and never works ill against its neighbor

d)     NOTE:  Since it springs from God, it is the highest form of love that can be expressed.

2)      One question that is difficult to answer is:  What are the “these” to which Jesus refers?

a)      Peter, do you love me more than the boats, nets, and fish?

b)      Peter, do you love me more than these other men who are with us?

2.       The Commitment (John 21:15b)

 

…He saith unto him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.

 

a.       Peter confirms his love for his Master.

b.      However, the word that Peter uses for love in the Greek language is different than the one Jesus used.  Peter’s word is the Greek word “phileo.” 

1)      Strong (5368):  to be a friend to, to be fond of an individual, to have an attachment to one by feelings or sentiment

2)      Thayer:  to treat affectionately, kindly, to welcome, befriend

3)      Vine:  represents tender affection

c.       Peter is very much aware of the distinction between the two terms.

1)      As he proclaims his love for Jesus, he cannot bring himself to claim that he has “agape” love for Jesus.

2)      He loves Him like a brother.  He has a deep affection for Him. 

3)      Question:  Can you imagine the self-examination that coursed through Peter’s mind as he considered and answered the Lord’s question?

3.       The Command (John 21:15c)

 

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

 

a.       Jesus appears to have accepted Peter’s words as truthful and sincere.

b.      Thus, He encouraged Peter to feed His lambs.

1)      Jesus looked upon the church as His sheepfold.  He was the Chief Shepherd.  Others, like the apostles, were under-shepherds. 

2)      One of their duties was to “feed” the sheep

a)      Strong (1006):  to pasture, to cause to graze, to cause to eat

b)      Thayer:  to feed

c)       Vine:  to feed, to nourish, to provide food

3)      That which Peter was to feed the church was the word of God.

4)      He would do this is four different capacities:  apostle, elder, preacher, and teacher. 

c.       LESSON:  Peter’s betrayal was serious.  However, it did not involve his being removed from his position as an apostle after he repented of the transgression.  Men are human.  Men make mistakes.  Often those who have erred can go on to do great things for the cause of Christ.

 

B.      Second Section (John 21:16)

1.       The Challenge (John 21:16a)

 

He saith unto him the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (agape) thou me?

 

2.       The Commitment (John 21:16b)

 

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

 

3.       The Command (John 21:16c)

 

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

a.       The command here seems to be the same as the previous command.

b.      However, the Greek word for “feed” is a different word.

1)      Strong (4165):  to tend as a shepherd

2)      Thayer:  to feed, to tend a flock, to keep sheep

3)      Vine:  to act as a shepherd

c.       This word is broader than the previous word.  It involves all of the duties that a shepherd is to carry out:  leading, feeding, caring for, protecting, etc.

 

C.     Third Second (John 21:17)

1.       The Challenge (John 21:17a)

 

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

 

a.       In the English language, the wording seems identical to the previous two questions.

b.      However, in the Greek language we find Jesus using the Greek word “phileo” instead of the word “agape.”

c.       NOTE:  Peter is now challenge on his own choice of words.  “Peter, you have said that you phileo me.  Do you really phileo me?”

d.      The Lord wants Peter to really think about his love for Him. 

2.       The Concern (John 21:17b)

 

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?

 

a.       Grieved

1)      Strong (3076):  to be distressed, …to be sad

2)      Thayer:  to make sorrowful, to affect with sadness, to grieve, to make one uneasy

3)      Vine:  to cause pain of mind, to distress, to grieve

b.      What brought this grief to Peter’s mind?

1)      Was he upset thinking the Lord did not believe him?

2)      Was he reminded that he had betrayed the Lord three times?

3.       The Commitment (John 21:17c)

 

And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

 

a.       Peter acknowledged that Jesus knew all things.  In other words, he knew the truthfulness of Peter’s words.

b.      He affirmed again:  “Thou knowest that I love thee.” 

c.       Even though Peter had sinned, he repented, and fully manifested his love for Jesus Christ. 

4.       The Command (John 21:17d)

 

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

a.       Here, Jesus returns to the first word He had used.  The word simply means “to feed.”

b.      With this exhortion, Jesus ends this part of His discourse with Peter. 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     This must have been a very difficult conversation for Peter.

1.       He was forced to look inwardly, not once, but three times.

2.       His love for the Lord was challenged.

3.       He had to admit the level of his love for the Lord.

4.       He could not make himself affirm agape Lord for the Christ.

 

B.      However, the Lord encouraged Peter as well.  Three times He charged Peter to feed His sheep.

1.       Peter was not rejected.

2.       He still had many more years to serve his Master. 

3.       Jesus desired for Peter to be one of His shepherds under Him.

 

C.     As we close, each of us need to answer the Lord’s question as well.  “Lovest thou me more than these?”

1.       Do we love our Lord with the highest form of love?

2.       Do we love Him supremely, that is, above all else?

3.       Or, are there other things that we love more than our Savior?

 

D.     As we answer, we need to remember what Peter said about Jesus:  “Lord, thou knowest all things?”