To re-cap our discussion from yesterday, Do You Really Love Me?, the disciples didn’t really know what to do after the resurrection of Jesus, they were out of money and rather than sit around idly seven of them decided to do something productive and go fishing with Peter. Jesus appears, hooks them up by telling them where to find the fish and then invites them to a breakfast that he already has prepared by the time they get to shore. They were all elated to see Jesus, but I believe it may have been bittersweet for Peter given the last time he saw the Lord and denied him but now he can hang out with him. Jesus was not indifferent towards any of them, because in actuality they all flaked on him, however, it was especially shameful for Peter because he boasted that … “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Mark 14:29 (NLT) His openly prideful boasting in front of the disciples is now lovingly addressed in front of the disciples.
At the first set of questions by Jesus to Peter, he addresses him by his “given name at circumcision” (we would call it his full name), Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these? Peter replies, Yes, Lord . . . you know that I love you. John 21:15 (NLT). Peter was not boastful when Jesus gave him the opportunity to do so because he clearly had no right to be as braggadocios as he was before the test of denying Jesus occurred. I believe it is because Peter had time to ask himself this very same question, to search his heart and probably for the first time in his life he may finally see the need for change. By the third time Jesus asks whether he loves him, Peter is hurt, deeply grieved.
Victory Thought: Is it irony that Jesus asks the same question three times because Peter denied him three times? Jesus never does anything by happenstance.
At any rate, Peter's pride is smashed. Here we see the Great Physician performing painful but necessary surgery. The light is shining in the darkness of Peter's heart, bringing life. This is the repentance that enables one to experience the Lord's love and salvation. Without such brokenness we are full of self and unable to hear and receive the guidance of the Chief Shepherd. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
In response to this searing third question, Peter says, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. John 21: 17 (NLT). It’s as if Peter is really saying: "you must be able to see that I love you”; not in a sarcastic manner as he probably would have before, but with as much humility as he could muster up. Peter is literally dying to self and finding his confidence only in the Lord. It is the Lord who knows and despite the appearances and mistakes he made, Peter really does love Jesus. The six disciples witnessing this transformation, right before their eyes, were probably dumbfounded. This was a big deal, yawl. As big and bad as Peter was, and he could handle his business, when it really counted, he froze, he denied Jesus – lied about knowing him cause he was ashamed and afraid!!!
After each profession of love by Peter Jesus gives a similar command, feed my sheep. God himself was known as the shepherd of Israel (Psalms 80:1); the leaders of God’s people were known as shepherds (2 Samuel 5:2); Jesus himself is the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18), and now he commissions Peter to care for the flock that belongs to Jesus, for they are my lambs . . . my sheep. In other words, he placed Peter in charge of the entire flock (all the Believers) and he did it in front of half the disciples on purpose, I believe, so they could validate Peter’s elevation.
The key qualification for this task, as this chapter indicates, is a love for Jesus that is characterized by humility, dependence and obedience. Peter already had a devotion to Jesus, but he was still full of self and was always trying to be in the forefront. Such a proud attitude of heart would be disastrous for the Believers. Peter learned his lesson, as is clear from his first letter when he addresses the elders as follows: And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT). A perfect example of authority exercised in humility and conscious of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
In closing, do you think it was a surprise to Jesus that Peter was going to deny him? Of course not, he told Peter that he would and Peter practically argued him down that he never would. Regardless of the fact that Peter ran all the way out, Jesus saw Peter for who he is, not what he was. Do you think you’re listening to this message by accident? Really, out of all the other people that could have been invited to this call, someone just happened to think of you; and out of all the things you could be doing right now, you’re reading this blog; you can’t possibly think this is an accident, luck, karma, coincidence, etc.
Jesus loves you so much that he orchestrated this blog just for you (it was never my intention to blog). You know why? Because you have blown it time after time after time and like Peter, you want to get it right but don’t know how our you’re stuck. The exact same love and compassion that Jesus demonstrated to Peter is available to you, all you have to do is ask for it, plain and simple. Stop making excuses about what you have done; I have already told you that it’s not a surprise to God.
Just as God used Peter (by the way, Peter means ROCK), to be the foundation of his church with all of his drama; Apostle Paul a terrorist who killed and tortured Believers before he was converted; Abraham the father of the Jews was a liar; Jacob (who was renamed Israel) was a trickster; King David was a whoremonger; Gideon an absolute coward; Rahab a ho and the list of biblical characters, who were just ordinary people like you and me, goes on and on and on. Just like he had a purpose for them he has a purpose for you but you have to surrender and say yes to God. He will bless your life, give you the desires of your heart and use you for his kingdom too.
Don’t let “religious” people remind you of who you were or talk you out of who God intends for you to be. We cannot live in the past, nor can we allow others to keep us trapped there. Some of us have done some horrible things in life, but that’s not who you are, it’s what you did and today is a brand new day, full of brand new mercies. God freed us from the cage of sin we lived in through his son, Jesus. We are no longer hostages to our past, victims of self-defeat, self-hatred, shame, depression, accusations, etc. The gate that caged us to sin is wide open, all you have to do is walk out, shut the door on that old raggedy life and never return. Listen, that same love and compassion that Jesus extended to Peter is available to you, he is standing by eagerly waiting to give it to you.
In His Eternal Love,
Tania
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