Sermon Tone Analysis

English Standard Version (Chapter 21)

Jesus and Peter

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.

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.