Recap of his life - 1:1 evangelism, the holiness of Jesus, the grace of Jesus, the beginnings of a disciple, how he went on (with ups & downs, learning about forgiveness and submission to God's will, looking to Jesus, a contrast)
Looking at v15-19 this morning:
Jesus will ask three penetrating questions
This was to be the biggest lesson he would ever learn
"...do you love Me?"
It is not about how much theology we know but whether we love Jesus
What does it really mean to love Jesus
Overview:
His response - the proof that Simon Peter loved Jesus
The three fold interchange - looking at different Greek words
What does it really mean to love Jesus?
The proof that Simon Peter loved Jesus
He told Jesus that he loved Him
It is easy to call out Peter's failures
We forget that Christians are at different stages - immature, still growing
We need to look at our own hearts
We should not be surprised by his failings - he is a sinner like us
Peter had real love for Jesus
John 6:66 many disciples turned their back on Jesus
We find this in Church - examples
Peter states "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" John 6:68
Example of the Transfiguration and defending Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
That he left everything to follow Jesus
We must stir each other up to good works, continue meeting
We must realise that people will make mistakes - whether loud or quiet
We should be patient and kind to each other
We are all in the process of growth
We must love each other and the Lord Jesus Christ
The three fold interchange - looking at different Greek words
v15, 16 - agape, v17 - phileo
Peter had denies Jesus three times
Jesus had revealed Himself to 5 disciples
He was particularly concerned for Simon Peter
Mark 16:7 - Jesus sends a message to Peter
Jesus had a private appearance to Simon Peter - Luke 24:34
The context:
The disciples had been fishing and caught nothing
This reminds us of Luke 5
They speak to Jesus and cast their nets on the other side of the boat
There is a miraculous catch of fish
Peter goes to Jesus as quickly as he can
Jesus is cooking breakfast for them
After breakfast Jesus speaks to Simon Peter
Jesus wants to restore and commission Peter - first by questioning his heart
He addresses him as Simon son of Jonah - a sinner
Do you agape love me - do you have an unconditional love, a high love, a deep love? (v15)
Simon Peter is humbled - he responds that he phileo loves
But Jesus asks do you love Me more than these?
In the neutral voice - not people but objects / his trade / his life
Do you agape love me - do you have an unconditional love, a high love, a deep love? (v16)
The same answer
Do you phileo love me - do you have the intimate love of a friend? (v17)
Peter struggles with this
Peter knows that Jesus knows' his heart
Peter would never forget this and perhaps brought this question to remembrance at different times of his life
What about us this morning?
We can readily accept theology - examples
But do we love Jesus?
Oh that we respond - 'yes Lord, you know that we love you'
What does it really mean to love Jesus?
Jesus is saying if you love Me - love the Church and serve
Peter will be a shepherd - not to return to secular fishing/work
Peter is to preach the word and be an evangelist
Peter is to look after them, remembering that they will be wayward and led astray
Jesus loved all His disciples
Example of washing the disciples feet
We are called to love all God's people
Peter is to love all God's people
Peter's responsibilities to the Church - examples
This would be the proof he loved Jesus and God's people
We are so called to look out for those within the Church
We are called to bring others to Christ
We are to sit under the word
We are to support leaders
We are part of a body
We love Jesus in loving the Church
Do we feel we have blown it, lack gifts - Jesus restores His people
