Do you love me?
Introduction
- Concluding
- Looked at v1-14 last week
- Jesus was recommissioning the apostles
- Today: the public restoration of Peter
- The Church has dealt with the question of denial of faith over the years
- Example from Rome
- Similar issues are faced today
- Example of David, Pastors, Jonah, Peter
- Peter would be publicly restored
- Overview:
- When was he reinstated?
- How was he reinstated?
- What was his commission?
When was he reinstated?
- This was the third time Jesus had revealed Himself to the disciples
- First time - behind closed doors (Thomas absent)
- Second time - behind closed doors (Thomas present)
- Luke 24:34 - Jesus had a private appearance with Peter
- Peter is not backing off from Jesus but plunges in to see Jesus
- He has been privately restored but needs to be publicly restored
- Peter was to be restored in Galilee
- There are times and periods for restoration
- Sometimes God gives us time for reflection (before restoration)
- Sometimes time is needed within churches
- The Lord is giving time for Peter to be publicly reinstated
- Examples of David, Jonah, John Mark
- It was a humbling time for Peter
- He was restored publicly at just the right time
How was he reinstated?
- Jesus didn't mention his denial once
- We can emphasise people's failures
- Jesus makes an indirect comment on Peter's sin
- Asking 'Do you love Me' 3 times - a reflection of Peter's denial 3 times
- No long course is needed
- He needed a personal encounter with God
- Not doctrinal questions but questions of his heart
- When we are backslidden the question needs to be 'where is our heart' and 'Do you love Me?'
- "Simon, son of Jonah"
- Not called Peter - why?
- Could it be that Peter is not living up to his name as rock? (Peter/Cephas)
- Remember who you are by nature - examples
- We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are more/better than we really are
- The questions are not quite all the same
- "Do you love Me more than these?
- Is your allegiance to Me greater than your allegiance to the world
- Is you love for Me greater than their (the other disciples) love for Me - explanation
- He is asking questions about Peter
- Different Greek words for love
- Jesus - Agape love - Peter response with Phileo love (v15)
- Jesus - Agape love - Peter response with Phileo love (v16)
- Jesus - Phileo love - Peter response with Phileo love (v17)
- Scholars have differences of opinion over this
- Perhaps Peter is saying that he is unable to match Jesus' sacrifical love
- Perhaps Jesus is saying that He really understands Peter's love
- Peter was grieved to be asked a third time
What was his commission?
Serve the Church
- "Feed My lambs", "Tend My sheep", "Feed My sheep"(v15-17)
- This must have been a tremendous encouragement to Peter
- Lambs - look after the weak and vulnerable
- Sheep - tend the stubborn and those who are led astray
- Look after the Church and the flock of God
- We are all to care for one another
- We are to teach and instruct in our positions
Sacrifice (v18-19)
- Peter would be a martyr
- He did not want to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus (he was crucified upside down)
Follow Jesus (v19, v22)
- Follow Jesus
- Forget about others - don't be too inquisitive
- Keep your eyes are on the Lord
- To follow Jesus means to walk with Him, walk in His word, obey His word, pray, be a disciple, walk in the steps He walked in
Closing Remarks