The Cost of Love

Text

John 21:15–19 ESV

15 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, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him 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, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Jesus’ Love Seeks Restoration

three times Peter denied, three times he was restored

He was already eating breakfast with Peter (sitting by a fire to restore like the denial had happened by a fire)

Jesus asked the question he didn’t wait for Peter

Our love for Christ should be expressed in action not just feeling

Jesus wanted Peter to both verbally express his love and out of love care for the church

Does Jesus love when we gather for worship and Praise his Name? YES! Is that all he calls us to when we lovingly follow him? No.

Sometimes our loving relationship with Jesus means hardship for His sake.