Lovest Thou Me?

John 21 gives the account of Jesus' third appearance to the disciples after his Resurrection. The chapter deals mainly with the restoration of Simon Peters faith and strength. Peter is realizing that Jesus is God, but just a week ago, Peter denied the Lord. Peter hasn't gotten over his failure. He still remembers the look Jesus gave him when he denied the Lord. He probably thought that Jesus was disappointed with him.

I. Peters Three Denials
1. Outside the Door
John 18:15 – 17
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

Peter's first denial was when he followed Jesus from a distance. Peter was still following, but a far off.

2. Warming Himself by the Fire
John 18:18 & 25 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. Peter's second denial was when he was warming by the fire. Peter wanted to stay close enough but far enough not to risk his life. “What is wrong with being comfortable and safe.”

3. Peter Turns His Back on Jesus
John 18:26 & 27 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

Peter finally, totally denies Jesus. He didn't stop following the Lord all at once. The denials got stronger and stronger as Peter got further and further for the Lord. He was willing to fight, and at first followed, but afar off. But as Peter gradually drifted away.

II. Peter Runs From Jesus
Peter still remembered the look Jesus gave him before the last cock crow. His guilt was tearing him up inside. Peter didn't forgive himself and didn't think the Lord forgave him also. He wants to hide from the Lord.

John 21:3, I go a fishing.

Peter thought to himself, “I let him down when He needed me. I am not good enough to follow Him anymore. He is so disappointed with me, and I bragged that I would never forsake Him.” Peter had mixed emotion. He was glad that the Lord was alive, but so ashamed about denying the Lord.

I know how Peter felt. I stumbled and failed the Lord. I am disappointed in myself. I am embarrassed to be around others. Everyone knows that I messed up.

After Peter's failure, Peter decided that he would return to his old way of life. He was a pretty good fisherman. Maybe he could go back and do that again. That night was a complete waste of time - fishing all night long and nothing. By this time Peter was miserable. “I am a total and complete failure.”

III. Peter Remembers the First Love
Peter had to be stripped down before he could get back to the Lord. Peter remembered the first time he met Jesus. To be restored, we have to get back to the time when we first got saved. Do you remember the first time you met the Lord? You were unworthy then and you are unworthy now, but He accepts you anyway. You couldn't earn His love, He loved you just as you were!

John 21:7, Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

At this point, Peter knew there was no turning back to his old life. He would never be happy back in the world again. He had to get back, no matter what. He didn't care what others thought anymore. He didn't deserve to be loved by the Lord, but he was willing to do anything for Him. As long as Peter could near Jesus again, Peter would do anything.

IV. Peter Restored by Jesus
As Peters failure was a process, so was Peters restoration. Peter needed to forget his failures. Jesus is not making fun of Peter by asking him if he loved him. Jesus wanted Peter to know he still loved the Lord. In verses 15 to 17, the question is “Lovest Thou Me?” are not the same question.

1. John 21:15, Lovest Thou Me, More Than these?

The word lovest in this verse is agape, meaning Godly love. Jesus is asking Peter if he adored him more than the others disciples present - “these”. Peter reply means, “I love you the more than they do!”

2. John 21:16, Lovest Thou Me?

Jesus ask again, but this time, He want to know if Peter love Him only. Forget everyone else.

3. John 21:17, Lovest Thou Me?

Finally, Jesus ask if Peter is His friend. The word lovest here is the word phileo, brotherly love. This is a more intimate love or friendship. You can reverence God, but it is more if you say that Jesus is your friend.

V. Peter Follows the Jesus
The first time Peter meet Jesus, Peter was asked to follow.

Matthew 4:18 - 20
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

Peter followed Jesus to the end. Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside-down, not feeling to be crucified the same way as Jesus.

John 21:22, Jesus saith unto him, ... follow thou me.

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posted by rjsc at 4/23/2005  |  0 comment(s)  

Upon This Rock

Matthew 6:15 - 19
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

I. Peter and the Rock
The Rock Jesus built His Church on is Himself. Peter is not the Rock. Jesus was making a comparison between Peter and Himself. When Jesus said this rock, He was talking about Himself. Peter in Greek is petros, which means more pebble or small stone. Not a large rock on which to build the Church of God. In order to interpret Peter as the rock, you would have to ignore other references where Jesus clearly states that He is the Rock.

Romans 9:33, As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

1 Corinthians 10:4, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

This Rock is Peter's statement, Thou art the Christ, The Son of the Living God, not Peter. Jesus is the foundation and cornerstone of the Church.

II. The Keys to the Kingdom
The keys to the kingdom are not the keys to death and hell, Revelation 1:18.
Peter was given the keys to the kingdom and used them in the Book of Acts to unlock the doors of salvation to the Gentiles.

Acts 11:18, When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

III. A Pillar in Jerusalem
The Bible also gives indication that Peter stayed in Jerusalem with the Jewish converts. Peter was the Apostle to the Jews, while Paul was the Apostles to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:7 - 9
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

The only Apostle that made it to Rome was Paul.

Acts 23:11, And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

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posted by rjsc at 4/09/2005  |  0 comment(s)