Restoration and Leadership
April 7, 2019
Commentary
In this passage of Scripture, Christ challenges Peter to leadership. The key issue is Peter’s love for the Lord Jesus and that should be a key matter with us today. It is interesting to note that Peter had denied his Lord three times, and now the Lord asks Peter three times, “Lovest thou me?” Three times Peter said he did not even know the Lord (18:17, 25, 27); now three times he responds by saying he loved the Lord (vv. 15-17).
In spite of his faults and failures, Peter did indeed love the Lord and he was not ashamed to admit it. This goes to show how a person may fall, but God’s grace will restore him if he is truly repentant. Now, three times Jesus commissions Peter to care for the flock (vv. 16-17). He is commissioning Peter to a pastoral office of caring for His sheep. After he had confessed his sin and been forgiven, Jesus restored him to apostleship and leadership.
Jesus tells Peter that he will have a long, useful life of service, but in the end, “Thou shall stretch forth thy hands” (vv. 18-19). Some think this language refers to crucifixion, and church tradition has it that Peter was put to death on a cross hung upside down. Having been told about his future, Peter now wants to know about John’s future (vv. 20-21). Jesus rebukes him for wanting to know the future of another person’s life (vv. 22-23). He tells Peter that all he needs to be concerned about is his own relationship and walk with the Lord (v. 24). It is so easy to get distracted by asking unnecessary questions, and as a result neglect God’s plainly revealed will for our lives. Jesus did many other things. If they were all written in books, I don’t suppose there would be room enough in the whole world for all the books (v. 25).
Application
If I was asked the same question that Jesus asked Peter, what would my answer be?
____ Yes all the time. ____ Yes most of the time. ____ Yes some of the time.
John 21:15– 25 (NET)
15 Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Jesus said a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd my sheep.” 17 Jesus said a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” and said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the solemn truth, when you were young, you tied your clothes around you and went wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will tie you up and bring you where you do not want to go.” 19 (Now Jesus said this to indicate clearly by what kind of death Peter was going to glorify God.) After he said this, Jesus told Peter, “Follow me.”
20 Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. (This was the disciple who had leaned back against Jesus’ chest at the meal and asked, “Lord, who is the one who is going to betray you?”) 21 So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours? You follow me!” 23 So the saying circulated among the brothers and sisters that this disciple was not going to die. But Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but rather, “If I want him to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things and has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.