Jesus and Peter
Jesus and Peter: John ends his gospel with a beautiful story of restoration. In the shadow of the cross, Peter had utterly failed Jesus — when Jesus most needed a friend. How would Jesus respond to him? With shame? Or punishment? Instead, Jesus restored Peter in friendship and his calling as an apostle and shepherd of his people. Once again, in loving forgiveness, Jesus told Peter, “Follow me!” Recorded on Apr 21, 2024, on John 21:15-25 by Pastor David Parks.
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Finding Life in Jesus’ Name is a sermon series on the gospel according to John in the Bible. Have you ever felt unsatisfied with your life? Or, even when things were going well, something was still missing? Many people sense there must be something more. But what?? John, one of the closest friends of Jesus, believed that Jesus came into the world so that we may have life and have it to the full. Jesus turned John’s life upside down, and John claims this new life — marked by God’s power, presence, and purpose — is available for all who believe.
Sermon Transcript
Since last July, we’ve been working through The Gospel According to John in a series called Finding Life in Jesus’ Name. It took us 44 weeks! But today, we’re going to bring this series to a close in John 21. Next week, we’ll start a new series on the letter to the Ephesians called The Gospel in Life, which will run for the next three months. John was all about finding life in Jesus’ name, and Ephesians is all about what the life looks like that is found by faith in Jesus’ name. Incidentally, the Apostle John finished his ministry in Ephesus, so I think it’s fitting for us as well. But today, we’ll consider the beautiful restoration of Peter after his repeated denial of Jesus only a few weeks earlier. Have you ever done something so bad you weren’t sure if you would ever recover? Or have you been struggling with something for so many years that you’re about ready to give up on yourself? How do you think Jesus would treat you if you could talk with him face to face? I think it would look something like what happened between Jesus and Peter at the end of John’s gospel. If you have a Bible/app, please take it and open it to John 21:15.
John 21:15–17 (NIV), “15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you 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.” Ok, let’s pause here. Last week, we worked through the third appearance of Jesus Christ after he had risen from the dead. He appeared to seven disciples along the shores of Galilee while they were fishing. He provided a miraculous catch of fish to represent the work of the gospel — that there would be a great harvest. But also, Jesus made them breakfast because he wanted to spend time with them. It’s really a stunning thought: that Jesus would not just care for his disciples in general but that after his resurrection from the dead, after all authority in heaven and earth had been given to him, he would still want this kind of personal relationship with them. Even after giving his life to save them from sin and death, he was still loving and serving them in humble ways. Our passage starts immediately after this. John says that after they had finished eating, Jesus started this line of questioning with Peter. “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” More than what/who? Do you love me more than the miraculous catch of fish? More than these things of the world? More than the other disciples? That would’ve been awkward, right? “Peter, do you love me more than these guys sitting right here and listening to this conversation?” I actually think this last option is the best, but I don’t think Jesus is trying to get Peter to confess a greater love for him than the other disciples. I think it’s a test to see if Peter has learned anything recently — if he’s grown in any way. Jesus always asked strategic questions, but he never did this to discover information or make casual conversation. Jesus asked questions to reveal what was going on in someone’s heart so he could gently, yet skillfully, apply the truth to their heart. And what might be going on in Peter’s heart at this moment? Well, during the Last Supper, Peter had made some big claims. Jesus, speaking of his impending death, told his disciples, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter responded boldly, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Matthew records that Peter said, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” Jesus replied, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” And sure enough, Peter did not lay down his life for Jesus. During his time of testing, when Jesus needed a friend more than ever, Peter denied even knowing Jesus not once but three times. Last week, we saw Peter jump out of the boat to swim to Jesus. And I think what motivated him was his desire to make things right with Jesus after his failure. But just as he had washed his feet on the night before his death, now Jesus was serving him breakfast. I’m sure that was a hopeful sign. Maybe Jesus wouldn’t reject him, though Peter had disowned him? Maybe he could be forgiven? Peter couldn’t wait to see what Jesus would say to him. And what did Jesus say? “Simon son of John,” Oh no, Jesus used his formal name, not Peter (Cephas), the nickname he had given Simon, which meant “the rock.” He probably didn’t feel very rock-like at this point. Jesus asked, “Do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” I love you. Not, I love you more than the others. Gone is the bravado. Peter is no longer boasting of the strength of his faith or his love. What has Jesus’ question revealed? Failure had humbled Peter. He was left not with a love greater than others but a real love nonetheless — a love (and this is key) that was entirely dependent on the forgiveness and faithfulness of Jesus, a love that wasn’t comparing itself to others but was only focused on Jesus. “Lord, you know that I love you.” In all the ways Jesus could’ve responded (shame/punishment), he chose to restore Peter. Not to restore him in friendship — he’d already done that over breakfast. But to restore him to his calling as a shepherd to his people. Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Just imagine how Peter must have felt at that moment. You mean, there’s a future for me despite my failure? There’s a place for me despite my weakness and sin? But then Jesus kept asking him if Peter loved him. Again and again, three times, Jesus questioned his love. It hurt Peter’s feelings. “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Is it any wonder, though? Three times, Peter had denied Jesus. And here, Jesus gave Peter three chances to reaffirm his love for him. I wonder if Peter was tempted to curse the third time as he had on his third denial. But notice that the second and third questions of Jesus lose the “more than these.” Jesus found the humility he sought from Peter. Now, he was giving him an opportunity to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus still had a place/plan for him. “Feed my lambs…Take care of (lit. shepherd) my sheep…Feed my sheep.” Peter was still called. He was still being sent out as an Apostle, an eye-witness of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was still responsible for shepherding the men and women of the church, feeding them through the preaching and teaching of God’s word, leading them, protecting them from false teaching, and praying for them. However, this interaction did not establish Peter as the first pope or supreme authority over the Church, as some believe. It restored him to the ministry of pastoring, which means “to shepherd.” Later, in his first letter, Peter describes himself as a fellow elder in the church, not as their supreme authority. There, in 1 Peter 5, he writes to the local elders of the churches in modern Turkey, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” Peter knew that Jesus was the Chief Shepherd, not him; and those Jesus calls into pastoral ministry are always under the authority of Christ. One final note on this scene with Jesus and Peter — as beautiful as this interaction is, it’s not the best example of repentance and forgiveness in the Bible. There is some indication in 1Co and in Luke that the Lord had appeared to Peter alone at some point. Perhaps that conversation allowed Peter to repent and apologize for his sin against Jesus one-on-one and for Jesus to forgive him in response. You can’t have true reconciliation without repentance and forgiveness. Perhaps, that did happen here and John chose not to record the full conversation. It’s easy to imagine them talking about other things during breakfast. Either way, by this point, it’s clear that Jesus has forgiven Peter and is calling him to continue his ministry, which is such a high calling! But does this high calling and his friendship with Jesus and his status as an apostle mean that the rest of Peter’s life would be easy/comfortable? Jesus would address this next.
John 21:18-19 (NIV), “18 Very truly I tell you, 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Let’s pause briefly one more time. So the answer to the question of Peter’s future being easy or comfortable was going to be a “no.” Jesus knew his calling would result in difficulty and hardship and eventually death for his friend. It’s not recorded in Scripture, but historical evidence points to Peter being martyred (put to death) in Rome under Emperor Nero in the mid-sixties AD. I’ve been to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the traditional site of Peter’s burial. Tradition says that Peter was crucified but chose to be crucified upside down because he did not consider himself worthy of the same death as that of his Lord. One day, we’ll know for sure. But Jesus knew his road ahead would be difficult. He knew he would face challenges and opposition. He knew he would eventually give his life for the gospel. Nevertheless, what does Jesus tell his forgiven friend? What does Jesus command his under-shepherd? “Follow me!” He repeats his initial call on Peter’s life. Peter, continue to be my disciple. Follow me. Listen to my words, follow my way, and help others do the same. Follow me. In the good days and the bad days. In strength and in weakness. Follow me. In public and in private. In life and even in death. Follow me. This was the kindest and most helpful thing Jesus could’ve told Peter. Because following Jesus is the only path that leads to life, real/eternal life. Every other way only leads away from life, away from love, joy, and peace. Peter believed that. Peter trusted Jesus. And for the rest of his days, Peter remained faithful — imperfect, of course (he was still living in a broken world), but faithful to the end. Over the course of his life, Jesus had taken the prideful and impulsive Simon, son of John, and made him into the rock, the fisher of men, and the shepherd that Peter was created to be. Let’s finish John’s gospel, starting with v. 20.
John 21:20-25 (NIV), “20 Peter 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?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers 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?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus 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.” This is God’s word. So, at the close of John’s gospel, Peter asked Jesus about John’s future. And I love this. After this warm and beautiful restoration of Peter after his failure, Jesus basically says, “Peter, it’s none of your business. Don’t worry about the people around you. Don’t worry about anyone else. I want you to follow me.” I resonate with Peter. One minute, I’m being affirmed in God’s love and grace in my life, and the next minute, the Holy Spirit is correcting me because I’m wrong! But, because Jesus had said it was his business whether John remained alive until his return, some people thought that John would not die. This rumor was probably supported by the fact that the Apostle John lived longer than any other Apostle. I’m sure John was aware of this when he wrote this gospel sometime around the end of the first century, so he wanted to set the record straight. Afterward, he ended with a formal statement about the truth of his gospel, similar to the end of chapter 20, and one more fascinating little detail. All of the miraculous signs that revealed the glory and power of Jesus; all of the “I AM” statements that revealed the identity and mission of Jesus; all the interactions between Jesus and individual people like Nicodemus, the woman at the well, with Mary and Martha, Pontius Pilate, and Peter; and all of the teachings of Jesus are only a small sample of what it was like to be with Jesus. John is saying something like, these were all I had room for. Why? Because “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And it was by this Word that this whole world was made. But then, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The Source of the world came into the world. But why? “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is the heart of the good news of Jesus. This is the heart of the gospel. That in love, God sent his one and only Son; and in love, the Son lived and died and rose again; and in love, the Spirit is poured out so that those who have sinned might be forgiven, so that those who are broken might be healed, and those who are lost might be found. If you are struggling today, you don’t have to wonder what Jesus might say to you. In fact, this is why John wrote: “…that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Do you have this life? All you need to do is receive it as a gift by believing in the person and work of Jesus. Have you been forgiven and freed from the power of sin and death? Then, as Jesus told Peter, “Follow me!” Don’t worry about the people around you. Jesus says, “Follow me.” Don’t be discouraged by the failures of your past. Jesus says, “Follow me.” Don’t be depressed by the uncertainty of today. Jesus says, “Follow me.” Don’t be anxious for the future. Jesus says, “Follow me.” Because following Jesus is the only path that leads to life, real/eternal life. And only in following Jesus will you be made into the man or woman that God created you to be. Isn’t that what we all want? That’s what I want. What if our church was a place where generations of people were able to hear this good news and come to faith in Jesus and grow in their faith in Jesus? May it be so, Lord. And to you, Father, Son, and Spirit, be all the glory, honor, and praise in our lives and in the church, both now and forever more. Amen. Let us pray.