Jesus is…Forgiver and Restorer

Today, we are on the second leg of our "Jesus is...” journey. Last week we kicked it off by celebrating the “Greatest Day in History,” the day Jesus rose from the dead. This morning we are going to continue this journey by looking at how Jesus is our forgiver and restorer, through the eyes of Peter.

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

On Thursday night, the eve of Jesus’ crucifixion, He Jesus announced he would be betrayed by one of his own. Peter boldly jumped to the forefront and proclaimed his love and loyalty to his leader. “Even though they may all fail, I never will. I will defend you to the death,” were his words. Shortly after his bold predication, he fell asleep at his post as Jesus’ look out. During Jesus’ arrest, Peter did attempt to be a man of his word, by defending Jesus with a sword and cutting off the ear of one of the soldiers arresting Jesus.

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Even though they may all fail, I never will. I will defend you to the death.” Later that evening

When Jesus was led away in chains, Peter followed at a distance seeking to determine the fate of his leader. While warming himself around the fire he was recognized three different times as being one of Jesus’s follower. He denied knowing who Jesus was, punctuated by cursing at a young girl on the last occasion. The scripture also says that following the final denial Peter caught Jesus witnessing the whole ordeal. Peter ran into the darkness weeping bitterly.

So the whole news of Jesus’ resurrection was bittersweet for Peter. He was jubilant that Jesus was alive, but how could he face His master after going back on his word and denying that even knew Jesus. Peter was probably worrying himself by going over and over in his mind: “How will I face him? What will I say? What will He say to me, even He even talks to me. He will probably just ignore me, and act like He doesn’t know who I am, after all that is what I did to Him.”

Peter got the first hint when Mary came back announced the news that Jesus was alive. She challenged them to come and see for themselves. If she followed her instructions she told Peter that Jesus specifically mentioned him. “Peter he wants to see you, also.” That is not necessarily good news, Peter could have gone two ways: (1) Oh, no He didn’t forget what I did and now I have to pay the price. or (2) Yes, he still like me, I’m back in. We don’t know.

In we are given the account of when the two meet again. We are told that Peter went back to, what he knew best: fishing. Coming back in from a futile trip, Jesus was on the shore and encourage them to throw their net down on the other side of the boat. We don’t know why, but they listened and they hauled in a huge load, 153 large fish to be exact. The disciples realized it was Jesus and they told Peter. Immediately Peter leaped from the boat and went to the shore to meet Him.

It was an all too familiar scene: Standing on opposite sides of a fire, just like the last time they saw each other. Jesus grilled some fish and also had bread. He invited them to sit and eat and have breakfast. Nothing is mentioned in the story of how long breakfast was, or if Jesus and Peter talked, we will pick up the story after breakfast with verse 15, where we read the following:

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” - (NIV)

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” - Some observations:

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

The last time Peter was gathered around a fire with Jesus in close proximity it was not good.

“Simon” - Jesus doesn’t call him Peter (Rock), the name he himself gave him.

“More than these?” - What is he referring two

The other disciples

The fishing gear

The last time Peter was gathered around a fire with Jesus in close proximity it was not good.

The last time Peter was gathered around a fire with Jesus in close proximity it was not good.

Jesus forgives, but that is only the beginning, he then restores and even commissions

Sometimes when we get disappointed and experience a setback we revert back to the old life. That’s what Peter did and Jesus called him out of that

Jesus doesn’t refer to Peter as Rock at that point

To be fully restored...

A barrier must broken down - Three times he is asked “do you love me?”

more than these - the other disciples or fishing

A call must be accepted - Feed my sheep

A cross must be carried

Peter’s response is phileo - Peter has been humbled no more great boasts just a simple “I love you” without the promise of sacrifice or great feats

If must be followed by then