JOHN 21:15-22 – When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
THEME OF THE DAY: STOP LOOKING AROUND. In today’s scripture we see into the loving heart of the Lord Jesus in His restoration of Peter while seeing in the heart of Peter a sinful tendency in all of humanity. Let’s take those looks in order.
First – the loving heart of the Lord Jesus in restoring Peter. Imagine the emotions raging in Peter. Earlier, the Lord Jesus prophesied that Peter would deny him (Matthew 26:34). Peter responded boldly and foolishly proclaimed, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same (Matthew 26:35). It didn’t take long for Peter to fail to keep his word. And now, the One he denied is serving him breakfast. I venture to say Peter’s appetite was low. The pain of what he did was great. Maybe even “sick to his stomach” and not up to breakfast. But then Jesus, not coming at Peter with an “I told you so” scolding, restores Him; makes him whole again, and now Peter is free! What grace, what love! The Lord did not remember Peter’s sin and that applies to us. Redeemed and restored! Such is the heart of our loving Lord!
Our next look is into the heart of Peter and a sinful tendency in all of us. After Peter enjoys the Lord’s grace of restoration, almost immediately he takes his eyes off Christ and looks at another person – Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” Jesus corrects Peter and basically says, “Stop looking around. Focus on Me.” And here is the lesson . . .
Look to the world and we will be depressed for it offers no hope; look to people and we will be disappointed for they will consistently fail us; look to ourselves and we will be discouraged for nothing good dwells within us. But look to Jesus and we will find hope, encouragement, and strength to take our eyes off the world, people, and ourselves, enabling us to walk in His peace and joy.
RRAYER: “Father, forgive me for the times I am quick to look at others and not stay fixed on Your Son.”
QUOTE: “Look to people and you will be disappointed. Look to Jesus and You will always be encouraged.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim