Restoration Over Breakfast

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.”

This is the first conversation Jesus has with Peter after Peter’s denial of Christ. We see that account in chapter 22 of Luke’s gospel.

English Standard Version Chapter 22

Peter Denies Jesus

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

AND THE LORD TURNED AND LOOKED AT PETER . What did that feel like?

In our failures, we feel like Jesus turns and looks right at us.

What emotions do you think flooded Peter’s mind? Embarrassment? Failure? Shame? Guilt?

Peter’s response was to weep bitterly. I think this act shows repentance and complete brokenness.

So back to John 21, the first conversation they had since Peter’s failure. This wasn't the first time that Peter has seen Jesus. He just never mentioned it.

HOPEFULLY JESUS FORGOT.

Jesus chooses the most intimate time to address Peter’s failures and also show Peter how he feels about him.

Restoration happens over breakfast. Over a meal. (Communion)

Sharing a meal together was HUGE in the Jewish life and family, just like it is today. Some of our most cherished memories are over dinner at the table.

If I have to have hard conversations with people, its usually over dinner as well.

But look at the first part of 15, when they had finished dinner. It’s like jesus didn't want to ruin the meal. How considerate is Jesus. Peter probably didn't eat at all. I bet he had knots in his stomach, ready to be sick .

Check this out....we saw form the text in Luke 22:55 that Peter denied Jesus around a fire...55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. John 21:9 we see Jesus making a fire to cook breakfast for the disciples.

Earlier Peter had publically denied Jesus beside a fire. Now beside another fire he was restored publicly.

Let’s continue, notice what Jesus calls Peter....not Peter, but Simon. That was a little jab from Jesus. Im not going to call you Peter (rock) or Cephas....Im going to call you by the name that I first called you by. A name with no significance.

Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?

There are two possible interpretations of ‘THESE”

1. These nets, boats, and fish. Do you love me more than anything?

2. These other disciples. Peter was hot headed and prideful, telling Jesus he would go anywhere and do anything for Jesus.

Peter responds, Yes Lord, You know that I love you.

Peter didn't say THESE. He left that part out of his response. lol He simply says I love you.

Matthew Henry says this, The question is affecting; he does not ask, “Dost thou fear me? Dost thou honour me? Dost thou admire me?” but, “Dost thou love me? Give but proof of this, and the affront shall be passed by, and no more said of it.”

In the midst of our failure, Jesus wants to know the answer to ONE simple question....Do you love me?

Jesus asks this question not once, not twice, but three times. This is another subtle jab from Christ. Peter didn't deny Christ once, not twice, but three times. I think this is why Peter got a little frustrated. Jesus was making a point. reversing every curse of denial with an affirmation of love.

Peter even says, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING after each question. YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU. Verse 17 he says Lord, You know everything!

Jesus never asks you a question that he doesn't already know the answer to.

Matthew Henry goes on in his commentary, Peter was satisfied of this, that Christ, who knew all things, knew the sincerity of his love to him, and would be ready to attest it in his favour. It is a terror to a hypocrite to think that Christ knows all things; for the divine omniscience will be a witness against him. But it is a comfort to a sincere Christian that he has that to appeal to: My witness is in heaven, my record is on high. Christ knows us better than we know ourselves.

YOU CANT HIDE FROM CHRIST. The book of Hebrews tells us that everything is uncovered and laid plain in His sight.

After every YES from Peter, Jesus gives Peter three responses of action.

We think whenever we have failed, Jesus is done with us. He cant use us anymore. We are too damaged. NO! Jesus LOVES using broken sinful people.

Peter was charged with three things, Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep. (Explain how this is the church) (This is the call of the pastor)

this commission given to Peter was an evidence that Christ was reconciled to him else he would never have reposed such a confidence in him. Of some that have deceived us we say, “Though we forgive them, we will never trust them;” but Christ, when he forgave Peter, trusted him with the most valuable treasure he had on earth.

Jesus was going to use Peter to kickstart the greatest movement to every hit mankind…the movement of the church.

Let’s move on to verse 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.)

Peter just acknowledged that Jesus knows everything. What does Jesus do here in verse 19? He predicts Peters death.

Talk about the death of Peter. Hung upside down

Notice what Christ wanted in Peter’s death....that he would glorify God.

It is not only appointed to all once to die, but it is appointed to each what death he shall die, whether natural or violent, slow or sudden, easy or painful. When Paul speaks of so great a death, he insinuates that there are degrees of death; there is one way into the world, but many ways out, and God has determined which way we should go. That it is the great concern of every good man, whatever death he dies, to glorify God in it; for what is our chief end but this, to die to the Lord, at the word of the Lord?

I’m uning a lot of Matthew Henry this evening but he is so good, listen to what he says

The death of the martyrs was in a special manner for the glorifying of God. The truths of God, which they died in the defence of, are hereby confirmed. The grace of God, which carried them with so much constancy through their sufferings, is hereby magnified. And the consolations of God, which have abounded towards them in their sufferings, and his promises, the springs of their consolations, have hereby been recommended to the faith and joy of all the saints. The blood of the martyrs has been the seed of the church, and the conversion and establishment of thousands. Precious therefore in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints, as that which honours him; and those who thereby at such an expense honour him he will honour.

After Jesus predicts the death of Peter he gives a command. Notice that this isn’t a question.

FOLLOW ME

This isn't a suggestion. This is a command from Christ.

When you Follow Christ, it will cost you something, there will be sacrifice involved.

Jesus tells all of those who trust in Him…Follow Me.

Will you follow Christ even if it leads to your death?

Jesus calls Peter to follow him.

When you feel like a failure, go back to your original call. What is the first thing Jesus ask Peter to do? Follow Him. What does he ask Peter to do after he fails…Follow Him.

The call and the command NEVER changes

I want to end with a humerous conversation Peter has with Christ beginning in verse 20...

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

EXPLAIN AND ACT OUT

COMMUNION

Related Media

Related Sermons