Easter (4)
Do You Love Me?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Emanuel, Lamb of God, and the Lion of Judah. We come to You on bended knees and with opened hearts. We thank You for this amazing adventure through the Gospel of John, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
John 21:15-25
Verse 15, 15 So, when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for (love) you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Reflection
After the breakfast, Jesus interrogated Peter about his love for Him. He called Peter by his old name Simon because until now, he had not lived up to his new name.
The Greek word that Jesus used for love is ‘agape,’ the divine love of God for people. Peter replied that he loved Jesus. The Greek word that Peter used for love is ‘phileo,’ which means friendship love. Jesus commanded him to feed His lambs.
Verse 16, 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection (love) for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Reflection
Jesus asked Peter again, ‘do you agape me?,’ but Peter replied that he could only ‘phileo’ Him. Jesus commanded him to take care of His sheep.
Verse 17, 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for (love) me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for (love) me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for (love) you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Reflection
Jesus asked Peter again, whether he was able to at least phileo Him. Peter was upset but he replied yes. Jesus commanded him to feed His sheep.
Because Peter had denied Jesus three times, Jesus gave him three opportunities to repent. Although Peter could not agape Jesus, He accepted Peter’s reply.
Peter was genuine and honest. After denying the Lord so many times, he could not use the word agape.
Jesus recommissioned him three times as a shepherd of His flock.
Verses 18-19, 18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection
“Stretch out of your hands” is a metaphor for crucifixion. After prophesying Peter’s martyrdom by crucifixion, Jesus commanded Peter to follow Him.
Verses 20-21, 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
Reflection
Peter wanted to know what would happen to apostle John but Jesus told him not to worry about other people’s destiny.
Verses 22-23, 22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers, that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”
Reflection
Jesus clarified that He did not say that John would not die until His Second Coming. Peter must worry about John because John had a different calling.
Verses 24-25, 24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. 25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
Reflection
Apostle John testified that he was the disciple who witnessed these things with his own eyes. Jesus did many more miracles that could not be recorded in this Gospel due to lack of space.
Application
The Lord is gracious. He forgave Peter even though he denied Him three times. Jesus is full of Grace and Truth. Jesus is the God of second chance, third chance and even fourth.
If we failed, we can claim the promises of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
We must not worry about other people’s destiny. Our calling is not the same as others. We must serve the Lord in the Kingdom diligently and faithfully and leave others to the Lord.
The church and congregation belonged to Jesus Christ. He is the chief shepherd and we are the under shepherd. We must look after His church and His sheep with extreme care.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that we have finally come to the end of John’s Gospel. Thank You for traveling with us on board this exciting, turbulent, and wonderful journey of faith through the eyes of John. Thank You for the blessings, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
