In the book of John, we read where Jesus, after His
resurrection, gathered with His disciples. After breakfast, Jesus begin a
dialogue with Peter, perhaps the most difficult conversation Peter ever had
with the Lord.
“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…”
John
21:15-17 (NKJV)
I want to look at this passage and answer two
questions: 1. Why did Jesus ask Him, “Do you love Me?” three times, and 2. What
was Jesus trying to get through to Peter?
If we go back just a bit, we read that Jesus had
foretold that Peter would deny Him three times. At this, Peter vehemently
denied it.
Then Jesus said to them, “All
of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I
will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But
after I have been raised, I will go before you to Gallilee.” Peter answered and
said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be
made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night,
before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter said to Him, “Even
if I die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
Matthew
26:31-35 (NKJV)
How soon we forget…
Then the servant girl who
kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are
you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of
coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood
there with them and warmed himself. Now Simon Peter stood and warmed
himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples,
are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” One of the servants of the high
priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in
the garden with Him?” Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster
crowed.
John
18:17-18, 25, 26 (NKJV)
John was nice. Matthew gives this account but
includes, “So he,” being Peter, “went out and wept bitterly” (Mat. 26:75b,
NKJV).
Looking back to Jesus’ questioning Peter, perhaps
Jesus was reminding Peter of his betrayal and for each denial, Jesus asked him
if he loved Him to offset his denials. I personally think this was the case. I
also believe this was to solidify in Peter’s mind what he was called to do,
regardless of the cost. If given a second chance, would Peter be willing to die
for Jesus?
So what was Jesus saying when He responded to Peter, “Feed
my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep?”
I think Jesus was reminding Peter what he had done but
affirming that the past was behind him and his calling was before him. Peter
was to boldly proclaim what he had seen and heard, and share that with others,
any who would listen. That is just what he did and, in the end, it did cost him
his life. While not recorded in Scripture, it is reported that Peter, who was
to be crucified, asked that they crucify him upside down because he was not
worthy to die like his Savior.
Friend, have you got a past that is weighing you down?
Are you afraid Jesus can’t forgive you? Do you question whether He still loves
you? Fear not! Jesus died on the cross for you, knowing your past but seeing
your future. A future He has chosen for you. Warts and all, come to the Savior
today and just like Peter, Go and tell others what great things God has done
for you.
