2025.05.04 Restoring the Peter in Us
Notes
Transcript
1 After these things Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He revealed Himself in this way:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas who was called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are also coming with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.
4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish to eat, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find the fish.” So they cast it, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great quantity of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.
8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away, dragging the net full of fish.
9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire already made and fish placed on it, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”
11 So Simon Peter went up and hauled the net to land, full of large fish, 153; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to inquire of Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
14 This was now the third time that Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.
15 Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.”
16 He said to him again, a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.
18 “Truly, truly I tell you, when you were younger, you used to put on your belt and walk wherever you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put your belt on you, and bring you where you do not want to go.”
19 Now He said this, indicating by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had said this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”
►►►CLICK [title]
Restoring the Peter in Us
Restoring the Peter in Us
►►►SLIDE [Video - cold open — automatically returns to title slide]
Judas’ last interaction with Jesus was when he kissed him on the cheek in the garden to signal the guards that he was the one to arrest.
The guilt ate Judas up! In Matthew 27, Judas tried to undo his betrayal … but the chief priests already had what they wanted. He threw the silver pieces into the temple sanctuary the holiest place a non-priest could go! … he went away and he hanged himself.
Peter was not likely faring much better emotionally. When Peter last saw Jesus … the cock was crowing as he denied he even know the Lord for the third time.
Jesus had appeared to the Apostles twice since the resurrection … but his time was spent with the entire group. I’m sure Peter was too afraid to say anything. Now, they’re back on the Sea of Galilee … home. At least the geography was comfortable. Probably nothing else was.
At this point, Jesus’ appearance is always a surprise. He’s not with the Apostles every day like he was before. He just shows up … and then disappears again.
So he shows up after a long night of fishing … FISHING, mind you … NOT CATCHING!
The frustrated, gruff fisherman is not likely in the mood to listen to advice from bystanders. So when a voice calls out and asks what they’ve caught … his disappointment likely turns to anger. And then the idiot on the shore tells them to throw the nets on the other side of the boat. Yeah … like THAT’S gonna make any difference.
And like every person in those videos, recognition flashes across Peter’s face. He doesn’t recognize Jesus’ face … he’s 2 cubits away, which is about 100 yards. John recognizes Jesus by the results of his actions!
He told them to try the other side of the boat … a thoroughly stupid idea that wouldn’t make any difference. I’m kinda surprised they even tried it. But they did. And when they did, they couldn’t haul in everything they caught.
John yells, “It’s the Lord!” And Peter waits no more! He throws on his clothes and threw himself into the sea and swims the football field to the shore!
Don’t miss this … in verse 5 Jesus says, “Hey fellas … you ain’t got any fish to eat do ya?” They say, “No!”
Open your Bibles to John 21:9 and tell me what you’ve always missed in this passage:
►►►SLIDE [reference only John 21:9]
9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.
Jesus didn’t need them to bring any fish in. He already had fish cooked and waiting for them … and bread to boot!
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Restoring the Peter in Us
Restoring the Peter in Us
They bring up their haul, and I’m sure they probably started processing as they counted … 153 fish. Compared to our commercial fishing boats, that sounds kind of small … but it’s big enough John makes note that it’s surprising the nets didn’t break.
Nobody asked who he was because they already knew, and John makes a note that this is the third time the Apostles have seen Jesus since the resurrection.
Just think what’s still eating away inside Peter.
“I was one of the three closest to Jesus!”
“I denied I was part of his crew.”
“I denied I was even a follower.”
“I denied I even knew him.”
Right after pledging to fight to the death to defend Jesus mere hours before, Peter had three shots at “owning” Jesus. And he failed — three! times!
And after the crew has eaten … after any emotional reunions have taken place … Jesus takes time for a 1-on-1 with Peter.
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Before we move on, I want to introduce some of the Greek, because you’ll miss something important if I don’t.
In English, we would recognize different types of love. I love my wife. I love my friend. I love Cinnabon. But with only the one word … love doesn’t fully convey the relationship. Koine Greek - Biblical Greek had four words for love.
►►►SLIDE [storge]
Storge is a familial-type of love. It could be used for other relationships, but this variety of love is most at-home in family relationships. The word storge is not used in the New Testament.
►►►SLIDE [eros]
Eros is one our society has told us all too much about. This word is where we get our word “erotic”. This word conveys love in the form of romantic love or physical passion. The word Eros is not used in the New Testament either.
►►►SLIDE [phileo]
Philia or phileo is a strong bond between friends. This word is where we get our name for the City of Brotherly Love … PHILAdelphia.
►►►SLIDE [agape]
Our language does not convey agape love very well. It is an unconditional love — an unwavering desire for the other person’s good. This version of love is selfless and sacrificial. This is the word used almost exclusively to describe God’s love for humanity throughout the New Testament.
storge • eros • phileo • agape
NOW, let’s look at Jesus’ conversation with Peter.
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►►►CLICK [title]
Restoring the Peter in Us
Restoring the Peter in Us
Verse 15 … Round 1
What does Jesus ask? “Do you love me?” - agape
How does Peter reply? “You know I love you.” - phileo
“Tend my young sheep.”
Verse 16 … Round 2
What does Jesus ask? “Do you love me?” - agape
How does Peter reply? “You know I love you.” - phileo
Lead my sheep
Verse 17 … Round 3
What does Jesus ask? “Do you love me?” - PHILEO
Notice Peter isn’t angry. It says he was HURT with this third question. The Greek word there is to GRIEVE! Peter is GRIEF-STRICKEN that Jesus asks him Do you ‘phileo’ me? after twice asking if he agape’d him.
How does Peter reply? “You know that I love you.” - phileo
Tend my sheep
Peter cannot bring himself to say he agape’s the Lord. No wonder he’s grief-stricken.
Imagine the tears welling in Peter’s eyes. His joy in seeing Jesus has run the gamut of emotions. From joy that it’s him … to hesitation to talk alone … to grief that his denial continues.
Before we close the book … I want you to know that Peter remains one of the boldest of the Apostles even after Jesus ascends to Heaven. He preaches the Gospel all over the land, and he helps lead the early church. When he is arrested and condemned to die by crucifixion, he declares he’s not worthy to die in the same manner Jesus died, so the Romans crucify him upside down!
Peter is the real deal … and this conversation is the catalyst. How?
Let me ask a couple of questions:
How many times did Peter deny Jesus? [3]
Did Peter get more emotional in his denial each time? [yes he did]
How many times did Jesus ask him if he loved him? [3]
Did Peter grow more emotional with each response? [yes he did]
He denied three times!
And Jesus restored him, by making him declare his love three times!
And three times he tells Peter to care for his people.
And Peter does.
How many times have you screwed up?
How many times - even this morning - have your actions denied any connection to Jesus?
Today, we celebrate around this table - that Jesus is a restoration artist!
He restored Peter … and he’ll restore you.
Do you love Jesus? [non-rhetorical]
Tend his little ones.
Do you love Jesus? [non-rhetorical]
Lead his people
Do you love Jesus? [non-rhetorical]
Care for his people.
Glory to God - YOU! ARE! RESTORED!
Let us pray:
[include Communion elements]
