Sermon Central
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Love Jesus? Feed His Sheep!
Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 26, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus wanted Peter to realize the ability to do what He was asking was already there, it already had arrived. Everything the disciples needed to complete the task before them, had already been bought, paid for and provided for, at the cross.
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“Love Jesus?” Feed His Sheep!
John 21:15-17 NKJ.
15. So when they had eaten 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 love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
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 love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Peter was kind a hurt because Jesus asked him, for the third time if he loved Him.
He had already told Jesus twice, Lord you know that I love you,
But the third time it was like, I’m sorry Lord, you know that I’m sorry, Jesus you know all things,
Lord you are omnipresent, I know You know that I’m sorry, I will do whatever You say Lord, just please forgive me!
Peter probably didn’t realize or know it, but Jesus had already forgiven him completely,
His sin, like all of our sins, had already been paid for at the cross.
Peter, not knowing this though, just felt a little bit, like he was on the hot seat.
John 21:18 NKJ.
18. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
19. This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Peter was right in the middle of getting a good lecture by Jesus,
there really would be no argument, because Jesus already knew what his every response would be.
he had to know once he heard Jesus had risen from the dead, this moment was coming.
Even though he was happy and I’m sure relieved Jesus was alive, most likely he had somewhat been dreading this confrontation.
Idn’t that how it always goes though. And what’s the first thing someone usually does when their confronted?
We always try to blame someone else don‘t we, I don’t know why its seems human nature to do that, but it is.
Peter was no different than you or I and he confirms it in the very next verse.
John 21:20-21 NIV.
20. Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.
Now if your like I used to be, I once thought there really was one disciple that was Jesus favorite.
Not so, John was the one writing this book of the Bible, John was the one calling himself, the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Kind of like if you ever had siblings, or knew a friend who had a brother or sister,
And they would all the time be saying that they were mom and dads favorite, almost like they thought if they convinced enough people of it, that it would become truth.
Actually I know these two sisters that do that same thing with their mother and its quite comical at times.
We could all do the same you know,
and there goes Charlie Roberts, the one whom Jesus loves and it would be true,
because He does love us all.
Sometimes I think, no I know we need to realize and walk in the fact of how much He loves us, more often!
Anyways back to our text, TBS.
(This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
21. When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
Classic response, well what about him Lord, like that was going to get him anywhere with Jesus, and this is what Jesus reply was.
22. Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Well what about him Peter, what’s he got to do with you!
And by the way, if I want him around till I come back, what’s that got to do with you.
You’re the only one that can make a commitment for you, it doesn’t matter what everybody else does, only what you do.
You must follow me, Jesus said! If you love Me, feed My sheep!
I would say, Jesus handled the situation brilliantly wouldn’t you?
Do you suppose, Jesus asked him the same question three times, because that was the number of times Peter denied Jesus?
