John 21:15-23

John 21:15–23 (KJV 1900)

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

We come to verse 15 where the disciples have been prepared breakfast by God Himself, and he has prepared it over a charcoal fire.

Jesus has some business to take care of with the “leader” of the disciples.

Remember what Peter had done.

Peter, before the arrest and crucifixion, had professed his loyalty and love to Jesus.

Matthew 26:34-35

Matthew 26:33–35

Despite all of this love and loyalty he declared for Jesus look what he ended up doing

Matthew 26:69–74

He denied the Lord

thus this love that he has stated he has for Jesus is a little questionable

Today we are going to examine Peter’s restoration with Jesus. We are going to get a glimpse into why someone should want to serve and love Jesus! I believe there is so much good truth for us here!

- See what you love matters! You will go after, serve, and follow that which you love!

Solomon & his wives

1 Kings 11:1

The Love of money & evil

1 Tim 6:10

Jesus even teaches us that we will serve that which we love

Matt 6:24

See to be a good disciple we must love our master!

John 14:15

Let us examine what Jesus has to say to this disciple Peter. I pray that as we look into their exchange we will learn to love Jesus more!

A reason to love Jesus

What He’s done

We must remember what has occurred up to this point.

Jesus has died, was buried, and rose again all to save the world!

The ultimate expression of love!

1 John 4:10

The reason we can love God is because he has loved us!

1 John 4:19

What He knows

God knows if we do love him.

John 21:15 “Thou knowest”

We can’t fake our love for God. He really knows!

Romans 8:27

What He’s forgiven

This encounter with Peter is an extremely merciful interaction. Peter has literally denied Jesus yet Jesus is here seeking him!

God’s love is revealed in his forgiveness

Eph 2:4-5

God’s mercy to us should be a catalyst for our love for him!

Luke 7:47

We have been given reason we should love Jesus but what does that look like?

We know that love is an action not just a feeling!

1 John 3:18 “18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

The Results of Loving Jesus

You will love what Jesus loves

Jesus challenged Peter’s claims of love with the command to “feed His sheep” John 21:15

“Take care of, serve, love those I love”

The flock.

The Flock is made of Christians! Luke 12:32

Love calls us to serve the flock of God!

Luke 12:32

Jesus also loves:

the world

your enemies

You will love to obey Jesus

Jesus gives Peter several things to obey!

See love is manifested in obedience

John 14:15

You will love to worship Jesus

He tells Peter that he will live a life and have a death that brings God glory. John 21:19

Peter was going to live a life that would bring God glory!

We will praise that which we love!

Psalm 138:2

Love ought to have results but love is an action thus it takes resolve!

The Resolve to love Jesus

In difficulty

John 21:19

Love is revealed in difficulty

In Steadfastness

John 21:18

Love is evident in faithfulness

John 17:24

In Uncertainty

John 21:18

Love is revealed in faith

What a story! We should love Jesus! Love for Jesus should produce results. Let’s resolve to keep loving him!