Actions That Follow Restoration

John 21:15-19

Restoration of Peter

Restoration is only possible after the resurrection.

ETS: Jesus restored Peter and called him to action.

ESS: We should love God and serve others.

OSS: [MO: Consecrative] [SO: I want the hearers to actively engage in obeying the commission of Jesus for their lives.] psycho-motor domain (do)

PQ: What actions should be evidenced in our lives following restoration?

UW: Actions

Intro.: [AGS]: Most of us in the room have kids in the home or have parented kids in our home at some point. For those of you who haven’t, you have been a child, so this is relatable to you, also. Parent/child, have you ever found yourself in the situation where the child has been caught doing something they were not supposed to do, but they did not want to admit it? Perhaps the child stayed strong in their answer each time they were questioned (i.e., “no, I didn’t do that, mom/dad). However, as the questioning goes on, regardless of the verbal answer, the body language changes. You ask the question once, and you are met with an enthusiastic, thought-free answer. You ask the question twice, and you are met with slight hesitancy and less physical enthusiasm. You ask the question the third time, and you are met with a complete change in body language, vocal tone, etc. [TSa]: This is the occasion in the text with Peter being confronted by Jesus in John 21:15-19. Peter first answers enthusiastically and without hesitation. However, by the third time Jesus asked the question, Peter’s demeanor changed, and he was grieved. Keep this in mind as we move forward. However, also remember, despite Peter’s body language and response, Jesus restored Peter and called him to action. [RS]: Each of us, like Peter, have failed Jesus. We have denied Him at some point. Jesus offers to us, just as He did Peter, restoration. However, we must understand that the restoration of Jesus comes with the expectation that we repent of our sin and serve Him. Restoration is proven by repentance which is demonstrated in obedience to the commissions of Jesus. We should love God and serve His people. [TSb]: Specifically, the restoration account records Jesus commissioning Peter to do a few things.

TS.: Let us examine together the actions required by us the restoration of Jesus.

We must love Jesus. (vv. 15-17)

Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him.

Both the OT and NT teach that we are to love God.

Due to the contextual and consistent interchangeable use of the two terms used here translated as “love” (φιλέω and ἀγαπάω), There is no need to distinguish between the two as implying a different level of love. “For example, both agapaō and phileō are used of the Father’s love for the Son (10:17; 15:9; 17:23, 24, 26/5:20), Jesus’ love for Lazarus (11:5/11:3, 36), the disciple whom Jesus loved (13:23; 19:26; 21:7, 20/20:2), and the Father’s love for the disciples (14:23/16:27).” [Colin G. Kruse, John: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 4, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), 386.]

The phrase, “more than these” could possible mean two things: (a) Did Peter love Jesus more than these material items such as the fish, boat, and nets or (b) Did Peter love Jesus more than these disciples as Peter alluded in the original response during the prediction that “even if all of the others deny you, I will never...”

Jesus poked at an open wound, asking the love question to remind Peter that He was supposed to love Jesus above all else.

Love is the core to every follower’s life.

APPLICATION: All of Scripture teaches that we are to love God. Thus, a core action that should be evident in each follower of Christ is love for Christ. Perhaps today we should ask, “Do I love Jesus?”

We must care for those entrusted to us. (VV. 15-17)

Jesus commissioned Peter to care for those entrusted to him.

The questions asked by Jesus are all followed by commissions given by Jesus. Each commission in this section refer to caring for those entrusted to the care of Peter, specifically believers.

Two words are used in this section to refer to those Peter was to care for: lambs (άρνία) and sheep (πρόβατά).

The two words do bear significance, especially with the given verbs associated with them. feed my lambs likely refers to the feeding of young believers with the Word of God. shepherd my sheep likely refers to the nurturing of/caring for more mature believers.

Thus, Peter was no longer being called to fish for men, perhaps, but to disciple those who had been reeled in.

APPLICATION: Jesus commissioned Peter to care for those entrusted to Him. A core action that should be evident in each follower of Christ is care for those whom God places in our lives- particularly believers. We should be feeding them with the Word and discipling them with great care.

We must commit to following Christ. (vv. 18-19)

Finally, Jesus commissioned Peter to follow Him.

Before this final commission came, though, he spoke of the death of Peter and how it would come about.

Jesus suggested that, though at one point, Peter’s life was pretty much per his own control, this would no longer be the case as he followed Jesus.

This, by clarification of John, referred to the death of Peter and how he would die. Though not recorded in Scripture, it is traditionally accepted that Peter died by crucifixion. However, he was hung upside down because he claimed to be unworthy to die as Jesus did. Thus, this portion is traditionally accepted to refer to the death of Peter.

Understanding this, the commission to follow Jesus would come with great risk involved. The standard hadn’t changed. Earlier, when the disciples asked Jesus what was required of them to follow Him, He told them to deny themselves and take up their cross daily. Here, Jesus, in other words, states the same. Deny self=not being in control (i.e. stretching out hands for someone else to tie you and carry you away…); take up thy cross= the allusion provided by “stretch out your hands”

APPLICATION: Jesus calls us to follow Him. The cost is great. We must deny ourselves, and we must understand that following Him may require our own life. A core action that should be evident in every follower of Christ is following Christ.

CONCLUSION:

(1) Each of us have failed Jesus. However, there is hope of restoration. We need to ask the question that Jesus asked Peter, only personally: “Do I love Jesus?”

(2) What actions are evident in my life to either support or refute my answer to the question? Do the disciplines of my life support love for Him? Do I care for other believers whom God has placed in my life to care for? (love God, love others, right?) Do I truly follow Jesus, denying myself daily?

(3) Returning to the introductory story, we need to learn from the flow of response in Peter. Yes, his answer remained the same. However, the change in demeanor supports that he was being torn apart by the reality of his own heart. His first response was rather enthusiastic and without hesitation. However, his third response involved grief and hesitancy and maybe even a little frustration with himself. We are often quick to answer with our lips only to realize our hearts do not align with them. Lip service requires only superficial commitment. Superficial commitment does not lead to action, and it is not what Jesus desires of us. It does not evidence a genuine love for Him.