The 1^st Sunday After Easter

SERMON

Text: John 21:15-19

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this. He said to him, "Follow Me."

In Christ Jesus, our living and loving Savior, dear fellow redeemed:

It is natural for people to compare themselves with others. Younger brothers and sisters often compare themselves with older siblings. Children often times compare themselves with parents or other adults. People of all ages pick out other people whom they admire, compare themselves to them, strive to be like them, and many times reverently look up to them.

Such comparisons can be either good or bad. If younger children compare themselves to older children and despair of ever matching the older children’s accomplishments, then such comparisons can be very harmful. Such children will often overlook the fact that they are individuals created by God with their own special gifts and talents and loved by God with a deep and abiding love. Should such comparisons continue those children will probably never recognize their own potential, nor will they be able to comprehend the richness of God’s love for them. On the other hand such comparisons can lead people to see that which is good, to strive for it, and to cherish it. When individuals identify positive things in others—things with which they can identify, they will grow.

The text we are considering today presents a personal conversation between Peter and Jesus. While it is personal, it also reveals three truths, which apply to every believer. Compare yourselves today with Simon Peter, for in PETER we fine A PROFILE OF EVERY BELIEVER!

I.

We see first of all that Peter as well as every believer has been delivered by Christ! The setting for our text is the shore of the Sea of Galilee sometime during the forty days following Easter. Jesus’ conversation with Peter took place immediately after the miracle of the great catch of fish, for our text opens, “So when they had eaten breakfast,” a meal which had taken place after that miracle. Jesus approached Peter with three questions, which were intended to remind Peter of his three-fold denial of Jesus on Maundy Thursday evening. Peter’s sin had been forgiven. Jesus no doubt had assured Peter of that fact already on Easter Sunday, for St. Paul tells us that Jesus had appeared to him privately sometime before His appearance to the disciples in the upper room (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:5). Peter’s sin, however, had been public and was commonly known among the disciples. Jesus now took the opportunity publicly to reinstate Peter as one of His chosen apostle. He intended not to reprove Peter, but rather to correct and strengthen him so that he would be fully prepared for his kingdom calling.

Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah do you love Me more than these?” Notice that Jesus was keying in on Peter’s pride. When Jesus had warned the disciples on Maundy Thursday evening that they would all forsake Him, Peter had boasted, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble” (Matthew 26:33). Jesus had gone on to inform Peter that he would not only stumble, but that he would deny knowing Jesus three times. Peter had replied with utmost confidence, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (Matthew 26:35). Peter was certainly sincere. He truly loved his Lord. He had great affection and zeal for him. However, his confidence was sorely misplaced, for he was relying upon himself. I would also have you note that when Jesus here referred to “love” He was referring to the "agape" love—that highest form of love, which implies full understanding and purpose. Yes, Jesus was asking Peter, "Do you love me with the highest form of love more than these others?" Peter, who by now was only too well aware of his fall, responded with all humility, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Peter did not now claim to have a greater love than the other disciples, and while our English translation does not show it, Peter used a different word for “love”—a lesser form of love—the love of friendship. In effect, Peter responded, "Yes, Lord; You know that I like You."

Jesus then asked Peter a second time, “Do you love Me?” Notice that this time Jesus did not use the phrase “more than these.” This must have hurt Peter, yet it was necessary for Peter to learn a lesson he would never forget—true Christian strength comes not from within ourselves, but rather from our God! Peter needed to learn this lesson for his future depended upon it! Again Peter appealed to the Lord’s knowledge and omniscience, responding literally, "Yes, Lord; You know that I like You."

When Jesus asked Peter a third time, “Do you love Me,” we are told that Peter was “grieved.” This was because Jesus used the same word for “love” that Peter had been using—the love of friendship. It was as if Jesus were even questioning Peter’s affection for Him. Peter in response was led to rely completely on Jesus, “Lord You know all things; You know that I love (like) You.”

What are we to learn from this series of questions? We ought to come away knowing that every one of us has been delivered from sin by our Lord Jesus. We ought also to know that Jesus will not write us off when we fall into sin, but rather He will deal with us individually and appropriately, as He seeks to lead us to place all of our confidence in Him rather than in ourselves. At times, it may well hurt as Jesus teaches us such dependence, but it is necessary, so that we may grow in grace and in our relationship with Him!

II.

Secondly, we see that Peter, as well as every believer, is directed by Christ! When Jesus enters our hearts with His gospel message of forgiveness creating faith and giving us hope, He at the same time enters our lives. There is no such thing as a Christian whose life remains unaffected by the faith in his heart. The child of God will seek direction from his Lord. So it was with Peter, and so it is to be for us.

Peter’s life was directed by the three statements of the Lord, “Feed My lambs…tend My sheep…feed My sheep!” Peter’s life work was to be the gospel ministry. This He did by sharing God’s Word with children and adults through his sermons and epistles. Remember the account of Pentecost recorded in the book of Acts. Peter preached to the masses in Jerusalem and urged them to “repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). He did this even as he assured them that “the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39). Three thousand people were led to faith that day, and those numbers swelled as Peter and the other apostles boldly proclaimed the death and resurrection of Jesus to all who would listen. Truly, Peter did what Jesus encouraged him to do at the end of our text, when He said, “Follow Me!”

In the same way, we are to follow Jesus. That does not mean that we will all enter the public ministry, but it does mean that we all take seriously our calling. Peter put it this way when he addressed all believers in his first epistle, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). My dear friends, whether you are a farmer or a secretary, a carpenter or a salesclerk, a banker or a bus-driver, our Savior calls upon us to share the news of His love for people with people—the people into which we come into contact each day. Even as Peter was directed by the Lord, so every Christian is similarly directed by our Lord!

III.

Finally, Peter, as well as every Christian, is destined to be with Christ! Our text concludes with a rather strange statement by our Savior, which is then explained by the evangelist John. Jesus told Peter, “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” John then explains, “This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.”

According to Christian tradition Peter was crucified in Rome in about 68 AD. For over thirty years Peter lived with the knowledge that he would die a violent death for the sake of his Savior. He was destined to die, but afterward to be with his Savior. How did Peter react to this news? Did he live his entire life in the shadow of fearful anticipation? No, he did not, for while he knew that he would die violently, he knew that Jesus had conquered death, and that he was destined to be with Jesus. He contented himself with simply and faithfully following his Savior.

As we read Peter’s sermons in the book of Acts, and as we read his epistles, we find that Peter’s destiny and that of all believers played an important role in Peter’s approach to life. We would do well to follow Peter’s example. Peter spent his life rejoicing in the gospel message and utilizing his talents and abilities to serve God and to his fellow believers. For Peter this life was not an end in and of itself, nor was his personal happiness his highest priority and ultimate goal. He placed both his hope and confidence in Jesus, and he was not disappointed.

Permit me to conclude this mediation by quoting several passages from Peter’s epistles to give you a flavor of the attitude of Peter—a man destined to be with Christ! Listen again to the opening of Peter’s first epistle: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). Notice the foundation of Peter’s faith, and how that hope shaped his life, when he says, “Therefore gird up the loins of you mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:13-15). He continues, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another, without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:7-10) In closing notice once again the focus of Peter’s faith, “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11).

My dear friends, may the Lord grant us comfort, encouragement, and determination as we consider the example of Peter. He is, after all, a profile of each of us—delivered by Christ, directed by Christ, and destined to be with Christ forever! Amen.

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting