John 21:15-17
Introduction: Do you love the Lord? Every Christian will answer yes to this question. Peter told the lord that he loved him enough to die for him. The lord didn’t forget this; he didn’t hold him to it either, because he knew Peter’s future and how he would react when things got tough. He knew Peters heart. Preceding our passage we have the Lord’s resurrection, He has appeared to the disciples and now they have had breakfast and the Lord takes time to address Peter. Not to embarrass him but to mature him. God had great work for Peter but he had to teach Peter what humble love really was, the loyal love of a disciple. The love God has for you and I, is not a self serving love, it is a love of commitment, promise and sincerity. The love God expects from us is a love of commitment promise and sincerity. Let’s look at the Lord’s enduring Love by examining three questions.
(a)It is easy to boast of a faith and
loyalty to the Lord when there is no present danger involved. In John 13:37-38 we read “37Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I
will lay down my life for thee. 38 Jesus answereth,
Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.”
Here Jesus reminds Peter [named here as Simon son of Johan] of his boast of a
greater love. Jesus now asks Peter if he loves Him more than these, in other
words does Peter still believe he has a greater love than the other disciples.
(b)God has a way of humbling His servants,
notice how Peter admitted his love for the Lord but there was no boasting of
superiority. When we look at life and the visible effort others put into
service or sacrifice for the Lord we need to be careful not to place ourselves
upon a pedestal at the expense of others. God will humble us and He may choose
to do so in some very embarrassing manner.
(c)In closing Jesus ask Peter to do something,
“Feed my Lambs.” Jesus is asking Peter to teach, teach those who need the
lesson of humility. Teach them before their arrogance causes the Lord to do it.
Jesus has an unconditional love for every believer and a desire for all to know
His will for their life. When we come to a point where we feel we are more
important than other Christians we have crossed a line and if we don’t realize
it and correct it in our lives then take opportunity to teach it to others we
will be held accountable. You see Peter set an example of arrogance now he must
correct it and teach the truth of humble service to the Lord.
Here Jesus repeats His question with the inference of genuine love. [Jesus use of the word love is agapo which means a moral love, Peter’s use of the word love is philo which is an affectionate personal attachment] Jesus is asking Peter to make it know where his heart is at.
Here Jesus closes with the statement “Feed my Sheep.” The difference between the closing of verse 15 and 16 is that previously Jesus was referring to the unknowing Christian here He is referring to the mature Christian who may be utilizing their liberty to take advantage of the Lord’s love, mercy and grace.
The question of genuine love applies to you and I just as it applied to Peter. Where is your heart this morning? Do you have a deep moral, personal attachment to the Lord today? Do you love Him enough to serve Him, Praise His glorious name, lift Him up and honor Him with godly obedience?
The third question of love offered up by the Lord is one of a giving love. Peter with frustration says Lord you know everything, you know I love you. When we look at this in the Greek we see written as a statement of sacrificial love. Peter is now willing to serve out of love. He is willing to give himself to God’s service.
The lesson for you and I is simply one of serving God from a heart of love. Have you given yourself to the Lord’s service with all your heart?
Conclusion: Do
you suffer from a greater love? Do you feel that no one loves God as more than
you do? That is a misplaced love today; the Lord doesn’t have room for this
attitude in His service. Rest assured He will humble it. If we have a genuine
love for the Lord we have genuine love for the Lord it will show in our
treatment of others. If our treatment is superficial then so is our love it our
treatment is godly so is our love. Finally we see that love is giving it
doesn’t seek, it gives, without expectation. Is that not what the Lord done
when He laid down His life for you and