Power of Humility
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· 14 viewsPeter is one of the more colorful characters we see around Jesus in the gospel narratives. We also get to learn a lot about him; his struggles, his failures, and his work for Christ. Jesus appears to many following the resurrection and in this text he is up to something speficic with Peter. Join us as we consider the commissioning of Peter and how it might instruct our own lives.
Notes
Transcript
Scripture
Scripture
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.” 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.” 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. 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Introduction
Introduction
When I was a kid I found this wallet on the playground. I remember looking through it and there was cash but no identification. I quickly justified that I was going to keep it.
Mom found it later…in my laundry. Are you sure this is the right thing to do?
She repeated herself for a reason…it became clear she was communicating something else very important.
This is not unlike the times I do not “hear” things in my home. I am sure I am the only one this happens to and My very patient Lauren repeats herself. This is where we are in the story today....
John 21
John 21
Interesting commentary on what is going on here. It seems the gospel is finished at the end of 20 and then we get this story…this appearance and this meal. Many think there is some finishing up of themes here at the end, like this is an epilogue. With some specific purposes.
Peter, by now is dead. Crucified for his faith. Resurrection theme. Appearances. The establishment of Peter as a leader in the church.
Peter’s Story
Peter’s Story
Peter has a prominent role in the gospels narrative. He is a follower of Jesus that we are invited in to see in an intimate way. We know more about the struggles and the ups and downs of Peter than really any of the other disciples.
Peter is one of the three that spend time very closely with Jesus. Resurrection of a child, the transfiguration, invitations to time of prayer with Jesus.
He is the one in the synoptics that makes the messiah claim early on.
Peter is confident, he often boasts of his reliability....
First one, when Jesus is washing feet....
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
Later, he makes another strong claim of his faithfulness to Jesus:
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Then later his physical courage to defend Jesus....
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
Jesus knew that he did not quite get it…he tells him as much when he speaks of Peter denying him.
And Peter does. When things get to their worst, Peter chooses himself, his reputation, over Jesus. And really I think the saddest part is how intimate they were. How truly close Peter was with Jesus and Jesus had told him repeatedly this was how it would play out and Peter just did not see it.
As much as Peter got it, as much as he loved Jesus, he still had to lose himself. He still had to learn that he did not have all the answers. He still had to face the fact that he will fall short, that he will sin, that he will choose himself over what he knows to be right and over Jesus.
No doubt the days between crucifixion and resurrection would have been so hard for Peter because he was mourning the death of his leader and the nations dreams. But I think he was also mourning his own death…finally faced with who he was...
Friends, in order to see the resurrection in our own lives we have to pass through the cross and these days of death.
My example....from my story.
Wherever you are today…Resurrection is possible, but things have to die
Peter is forgiven and sent out
Peter is forgiven and sent out
This text before us is not the first appearance that Peter has with the risen Christ. Multiple times it says he came to the 12 but in other scripture we see that Jesus came to just Peter in a private meeting:
and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
I believe that is where forgiveness happened for Peter. I believe that is where Peter came to the realization of who Jesus fully was and I believe that is where everything changed for Peter for now he has life.
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
But now in our text Jesus comes to Peter and he commissions him in front of the others to take care of Jesus’ sheep.
He asks three times....Do you love me? A lot has been said about the words for love here and the slight changes in language but I think the most important thing is Jesus asks three times, the number of times that Peter would deny him in his old life.
Not as a way of shaming but as a way of conditioning how Peter is to function.
Jesus is saying, don’t go in your strength anymore. Go in my love.
Jesus sends us out
Jesus sends us out
A few words about what we see here:
Peter’s story tells a bigger story
Peter says I will follow you anywhere. He believes in Jesus but what he thinks he is doing when he first follows Christ in the beginning and what he is doing at the end are completely different.
Peter follows Jesus
Peter falls
Resurrection happens
Peter is sent out
Jesus sends out the ones who have encountered life to bring life to the world.
2. God sends the humble, not the qualified
God sends the humble, not the qualified....we see this with Peter. God sends out people, not based on their resume or the great things people have achieved for him, but he sends out the lowly.
He sends out the ones who depend only on this love of God.
He sends out the humble.
He sends out the ones who love him more than these.
He sends out the ones who see Jesus’ sheep and not just some flock that needs leading....
“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
3. A life submitted is a life of power
Here again is these beautiful counterintuitive theme found in the gospel. A life in full submission is not a place of weakness but of power and influence. Peter would do mighty things for the kingdom and that first church but not until he faced who he was and what needed to die. What needed to be given to God.
Peter becomes a shepherd worth following because he was a shepherd that had come through those days in between the cross and the resurrection.
Listen friends, the worthy life, the life that is truly witnessed the resurrection of Jesus....is the life that looks at everything and goes I want nothing else but you.
This is why the commissioning, the sending of Peter is not
Peter:
what will you do for me?
What will you accomplish?
Will you start a church?
Will you go into ministry?
Will you serve over here?
What have you learned?
Do you have the answers yet?
Will you fight for me?
No.... the questions at this sending of Peter, and for you,....
Peter, do you love me?