John 21:15-23 Jesus’ Questions at the Crossroads / Why do you choose what you choose?

Face crossroads throughout life

Who will I hang out with in high school

Where will I go to college

What profession will I go into

Who will I take for a wife

How will I raise my kids

What will I do now that my kids are grown

What will retirement look like

Each day we face many smaller crossroads

How should I spend my time today

What should I do today

How can I overcome this obstacle today

Is this okay for me to do

Will this help or hurt my spiritual life

Should I engage in this sin

As a church

What pastor do I select

What ministries do I need

What ministries do I need to change or stop

Each crossroad has a myriad of possible paths each taking one to different destinations. How does one decide among the choices? Will it be our best guess? What’s best for me? Do I include Him sometimes? When?

Peter faced one of the major crossroads of life. Here is a guy who had got it wrong. What will he do now? How will he figure it out?

As Jesus comes alongside to help Peter. Jesus simplifies this whole process. You see the bigger issue is not the choice you make. The big issue is why do you make those choices. Jesus comes to Peter and probes his heart. As you stand at the crossroads what is your motivation? Jesus asks, ‘do you love me?’ Peter if your decisions at this crossroads is based on your love for me – all else will take care of itself. But the question is ‘do you love me?” or is it just words?

(NKJV) John 21 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

The major message of this passage is not complex or hidden the Greek word for love. The major message is in plain sight – Do you love me? If you do follow me. Make your decisions based on your love for me.

I. At the crossroads: Do you love me, personally?

A. Comes in the quiet moments

(NKJV) John 21 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me …

1. After the excitement (tomb / trip to Galilee / fishing miracle) = quiet personal conversation

2. Not before crowds

3. Not with a finger shaking in his face

4. In the stillness of the morning after a comfortable reunion and at peace

5. Very personal

6. Time for deep evaluation / reflection / commitment

7. Do you really love me? I mean for real? Echoing in the silence

B. About a deep relationship

(NKJV) John 21 15 … Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” … 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” … 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” ...

1. About the personal relationship between Simon and Jesus

2. Not a real difference in the meaning of the specific words / style / spoke in Aramaic – lose the significance of agapa phileo

3. Key is three times He asks - How important am I? Really

4. Do you love me?

C. More than mere words

(NKJV) John 21 15 … He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” … 16 … a second time, ... “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” … 17 … the third time, … Peter was grieved … And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” …

1. Do you love him as much as you say you do (three times – three denials)

2. You made great claims – used the words

3. But when the time came you did not show it - Actions did not conform to the words

4. Do you love me in a way that is confirmed by your actions – not two different things – the type of love that is confirmed by one’s life – it’s time to decide

5. Grieved – there really was a disconnect – but Peter wanted to love Him in a way that showed – that was real

II. At the crossroads: Do you love me as life’s priority?

How does your love compare to other things in your life

What is the priority here? See it in check book / time / commitment/ how you structure your life

A. More than things

(NKJV) John 21 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”

1. Boats

2. Fish

Bible version over the needs of people He love - to read and understand God’s Word

B. More than the activity

do you love Me more than these?”

1. Occupation

Prioritization of life – can’t do everything – what is critically important to Him

Church events – rethink – Is this activity one I like, but has limited use in His Kingdom

2. What I engage in / sports / internet

C. More than others

do you love Me more than these?”

1. More than you love others

2. More than the others love Him

3. More than everything - any other aspect of life

III. At the crossroads: Do you love me enough to share my heart?

A. Care about the things Jesus cares about

(NKJV) John 21 15 … Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me … He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 … He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 … Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

1. My sheep/lambs

2. Focus on others – Sheep/ lambs – immature and mature

3. See as Jesus sees / care as Jesus cares

B. Pursue the purpose given by Jesus

(NKJV) John 21 15 … Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me … He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 … He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 … Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

1. Engage in outward focus

a. Can tell what you love by what you do / where you spend your time / where you spend your money

2. Embrace the purpose Jesus has given (ministry)

3. Tend - feed / Nurture/take care of all the needs

IV. At the crossroads: Do you love me enough to follow regardless?

A. Regardless of the cost?

(NKJV) John 21 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. …

1. Solemn start to discussion – this is the truth – it will cost you

2. Even if it demands everything

3. Will it be about God’s glory

4. Will you follow anyway

B. Regardless of others?

(NKJV) John 21 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, … 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

1. If others have different paths

2. If others seem to have more blessing

3. Will you focus only on your own obedience

4. Take your eyes off others – you follow me (emphasis you)

5. Will you follow anyway – regardless of what I do in someone else’s life?

C. Regardless of anything, just follow?

(NKJV) John 21 19 … And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” … 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

1. Focus on your continuous response to Him

2. Following Him

At the crossroads – Do you love Him?

Personally?

As life’s Priority

Enough to share His heart?

Enough to follow Him – regardless?

Individually? As a church?