Do you truly love me more than these?

John 21:15-25 (New International Version)

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" 
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." 
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep. 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" 
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" 20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" 24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

I. Message:

Content:

1. Jesus verified three times Peter’s love for the Lord, and commissioned him to feed and to nurture the lambs (v. 15-17)
2. Jesus predicted how Peter would die for the glory of God in his old age. (v.18)
3. Jesus called Peter to follow him. (v. 19)
4. Peter asked Jesus what is to become of John. (v20-21)
5. Jesus reminded Peter to focus on following him instead of being concern about the future of others (v22)
6. Apostle John wrote these down in order to testify to the resurrected Lord. (v24)
7. The innumerable acts of Jesus. (v25)

Theme:

1. Do you truly love me more than these?"
2. Feed my sheep.

II. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Holy Spirit?

1. Jesus partakes breakfast with his disciples (v15)
2. Jesus verifies his disciples love for Him (v15-17)
3. Jesus entrusts the job of feeding his sheep to his disciples (v15-17)
4. Jesus predicts Peter’s fate (v18)
5. Again, Jesus calls his disciples to follow him (v19)

III. What is God teaching me (command, promise, model, rebuke, warning)?

1) Love must precede responsibility

Jesus asked Peter three times: do you love me? “Do you love me more than all these?” This is a necessary confirmation before Jesus can entrust the responsibility of ministry to Peter. Evidently, believing in God is not enough to minister to the Lord’s sheep. Only those who love the Lord can be entrusted with such responsibility. Especially, those who love the Lord more that wealth, fame, status, are fitted to minister.

Reflection: If Jesus should ask me the same question that he had asked Peter, what would my response be?

2) Schematic of discipleship

Confronted with Jesus’ question the first time, Peter said: “Yes Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him: “Feed my lambs.” (v.15) Confronted the second time, Peter answered: “yes Lord, you know I love you.“ Jesus said again: “feed my lambs.” The third time Jesus said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" 
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. (v.17)

Obviously, the primary function of a church is to nurture and to minister to the Lord’s sheep. To minister is to be concerned with transforming and building up life. Ministering can be divided into feeding the lambs and tending the sheep. This division and the two stages show us that ministering is progressive. The contemporary equivalent of ‘feeding’ and ‘tending’ are ‘nurturing’ and ‘training’. A schema for discipleship is depicted in the conversation between Jesus and Peter.

Reflection: In my life and growing up process, how have I received nurturing and been ministered to?

3) To be martyred for Christ

After Peter proclaimed his love for the Lord, he received on the one hand, the calling to nurture and to minister to the Lord’s sheep. On the other hand, he would go on to sacrifice himself and to suffer for the Lord. Because Jesus said to Peter, “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."(v.18) In fact, Peter was subsequently martyred in Rome. He demanded to be crucified upside down, because he did not consider himself to be worthy to die in the same way as Christ Jesus. Peter’s love for the Lord gave him the mission but also led him to suffering.

Reflection: Jesus died for me, while Peter was crucified upside down, what have I sacrificed for my Lord Jesus?

4) John testifies to Christ

When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (v21-22)

According to the scripture, Jesus supposed John would live a long life. To these two disciples, respectively, Jesus gave Peter the mission to minister to his sheep and to martyred for him, and called John to testify to him and all that he has done. John was to live a long life and to die peacefully in old age.

Later in Revelation, we learned that the whole church was persecuted, and old apostle John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. The Lord who loved him, showed His glory once again! Through John and his testimonies and writings, the persecuted churches were comforted. The Lord revealed to John the imminent glory and the victory in the last hour, and the church in turn also received this revelation through John. John was called to be a witness for Christ.

Reflection: Am I clear about what God has called me to do? Have I persevered?

5) Devoted to follow the Lord

When Lord Jesus predicted Peter’s fate, Peter asked about John’s future. But Jesus did not want him to compare. He asked that Peter be concerned solely of his own attitude towards the Lord. It is human nature to compare. Comparing the significance of our gifts and talents, comparing the success or failure of ministry, comparing the good and bad of sermons, comparing popularity… etc. In fact, each person has his own path, calling, even his own ‘cup’ to drink, and his own price to pay. Different individual in diverse circumstances, each has his unique calling. Hence, comparisons are meaningless. Whenever we want to compare, all of us who serve the Lord must remember what Jesus said to Peter. “What is it to you? You follow me!” What is important is to be devoted in following Jesus.

Reflection: In the kingdom of God, do I constantly compare myself to others, or do I persevere in my calling and be devoted in following the Lord?

IV. Prayer/ Life Application



Translated by Daisy