He loves me...He loves me not?

You can watch the video version of this message at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmixfGTdIR4&list=UU2uVf_qAtdS2GR2tMKigzKA&index=1&feature=plcp

It is interesting to note that at least seven of the twelve disciples that Jesus called were fishermen.  Why fishermen?  For one, they do not quit!  They know how to take orders and they know how to work together.  Were they wrong in returning to their vocation of fishing?  Most would argue, yes, as they lost sense of their vision and purpose.  It would appear that they had lost their sense of mission and vision and went back to their former vocation.  They had been out fishing all night and had caught absolutely nothing. 

It was Jesus who took control of the situation and brought them back to their real calling.  Thanks to Jesus they make a miraculous catch of 153 fish and they recognize very quickly that this is not an ordinary situation.

Peter in his typical impulsive fashion can’t wait for the boat to return to shore so he jumps in the water, does 100 yard freestyle and arrives on the scene first! 

There are three strong invitations in the book of John:

1.            Come and see 1:39

2.            Come and drink 7:37

3.            Come and dine (have breakfast!) 21:12

Peter and Jesus have already met privately as seen in Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5 and most likely dealt with his sin of denial in that place. This time together was to reinstate Peter to a place of ministry.  Remember that this is happening around a fire with all the other disciples present and listening in on the conversation.  The imagery that Jesus uses with Peter is to feed His lambs (young believers) and feed His sheep (mature believers).

In John 21, Jesus challenges Peter 3x with the question, “Do you love me”

Why did Jesus ask Peter 3x that very question?  Some have simply said that it was in response to the 3 denials that Peter made when he was asked if he knew Jesus prior to his crucifixion.  It was quite a scene, he was so adamant he didn’t know Jesus that he swore to really get everyone’s attention.

So, who was running with Peter when he made those denials of Jesus? You’re a failure, you are certainly not the rock, this is who you really are!

However, I believe Jesus did something really significant when He asked Peter the question, ‘do you love me?’    He was calling Peter back out of his old life and restoring to Him a place of ministry.  He was in effect saying, “your sin, your failure, your wounding doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”

In the first two times Jesus asks the question, do you love me he is referring to this “agape” love.  He was in essence asking Him to love sacrificially.

“Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” v15a

He first called him out on his boldness.  It was Peter who said, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” Mark 14:29; and after Jesus gave his command to “love one another” in John 13:35, it was Peter who said “I will lay down my life for you.”

“Yes Lord, “ he said, “you know that I love you” v15b

Peter responds with a love of fondness; phileo love, not a love greater than all others.

Again, Jesus asks do you truly love me and Peter pleads to the Lord’s omniscience, “you know that I love you.”

However, the last time Jesus asks Peter do you love me, the word here is ‘phileo’ – the love of friendship.  He is calling Peter back to relationship.  This is the brotherly/friendship type of love.

Jesus makes “the ask.”  Take care of my sheep.  We are all called to take care of each other, to hold others in greater esteem than ourselves.

This is the kind of love I believe God is calling us to, we are called to the highest standard of love, but God is also calling us to relationship with Himself and with each other.

What is the message?  You may have failed the LORD miserably, but He still loves you and wants you to show and express that same grace with others.  The most important thing we can do is love Jesus because if we really love Jesus and experience His love for us, we will have the capacity to love one another!