Text: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
If someone were to ask you if you love Jesus, what would you say? If you simply answered “Yes” do you think you would positively convince the person who asked you that question? How do people know without a shadow of doubt that we truly love Jesus?
I believe it shows in our daily walk through life. It shows within our family; it shows where we work; it shows in the grocery store; it shows in the restaurant where we dine, and it shows in ever facet of our life.
What is it that shows forth and indicates our love for Jesus? It is the light of His love shining upon us that makes us glow. We become as lights which cannot be hidden.
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). When we turn on the living room light, the darkness disappears and the entire room becomes visible. The same thing should occur when a child of God, who really loves the Lord, walks into the presence of other people.
When we truly love Jesus, that love will be reflected in the way we treat other people. The words coming from our mouth will be uplifting and positive to the people who hear them. The appearance of our face will be one of radiance and warmth.
Our actions will blossom with joy and kindness. Goodness and gentleness will flow from us like water flowing from a natural spring. The peace in our heart will be reflected by our desire go the second mile for those who are in need of comfort and encouragement.
We will have no enemies, because our love for Jesus will be extended to all of our neighbors regardless of how they might treat us or the things they might say about us. People will know we love Jesus by the way we live our life.
Last week we talked about Jesus’ third appearance to His disciples after His resurrection. Jesus had just provided a miracle for seven fishermen who fished all night and caught no fish. These seven disciples were at a low point in morale for several reasons.
They were like wandering sheep that were deserted by their shepherd. The last week had been difficult. The Jesus who hand-picked them as His disciples had been crucified. In fact, each one of them deserted Jesus. Peter even denied knowing Jesus on three different occasions.
Jesus did appear to eleven of the disciples on the evening of the His resurrection. “Then, the same evening, being the first day of the week….Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’” (John 20:19).
He did the same thing one week later when all twelve of the disciples were present. “And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you’” (John 20:26).
Jesus not only appeared to the disciples, but He talked to them. He encouraged them to view the nail holes in His hands and the wound in His side. “He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22). Jesus then commissioned them to carry on His mission, but He had to know they truly believed He was alive and that He was their first love.
His third appearance would be His final appearance to them. He would do something that would really be convincing to them. His plan was to give them an unsuccessful night of fishing and then bless them with an abundance of fish in a net that should have broken under the weight of the fish.
Do those words sound familiar to you? Isn’t this what Jesus does for us when we are unsuccessful in some manner. When we fail to accomplish that which we set out to do our feelings are hurt. We feel as though the wind has been taken out of our sails. We are not happy with ourselves. We are unhappy with others.
This is the time we are on the edge of success. This is when Jesus has something better and bigger in store for us. This is the time we are in for a blessing just as were the disciples. Jesus is preparing to fill our net with an abundance of blessings.
Jesus would not go to the disciples, but instead, He would have them come to Him. After He talked to the fishermen from the shore, John recognized Jesus and shouted with joy, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7). John was able to recognize Jesus because of past happening or miracles.
For example, Luke records an incident when the Simon and his partners had been fishing, but were unsuccessful. They came in and beached their boats in the sand. Jesus was teaching a large crowd nearby and had to get into one of the boats.
The boat He chose to get into was the one that belonged to Simon Peter. He instructed Simon to move the boat out a short distance from the shore. Simon did so and Jesus continued to preach and teach.
“When He had finished speaking, Jesus said to Simon, move out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch’” (Luke 5:4). Simon did as he was told and a miracle took place. “They caught such a large number of fish their nets began to break” (Luke 5:6). Peter did not know what to think. He could hardly believe his eyes.
Simon Peter knew of and even saw some of Jesus’ other miracles, but he didn’t think Jesus would do something to help him with his daily needs. Why would Jesus be interested in helping someone with their daily worldly occupation?
Jesus is interested in every facet or every aspect of our life. He is interested in our daily chores, daily tasks, daily needs, and everything else about us. He is waiting for us to ask so that He can give and we can receive.
Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
When we love Jesus, we know His word and we believe His word. Then, when we are obedient and follow His commands, our rewards are greater than we can possible imagine.
Jesus revealed Himself through the miraculous catch of fish, by making breakfast, and then serving the disciples as a humble servant. The disciples showed their love by being obedient to His words, coming to Him as He stood on the shore, partaking in the breakfast and not asking Him who He was. Peter showed his love by jumping out of the boat and hastily swimming or wading to Jesus.
After breakfast and the disciples were rested and fed, Jesus asked Peter a very important question. He asked Peter the same question three times with a little variation only in the first asking. This is the same question Jesus is asking us. The question is: “Do you love Me?”
We remember that Peter denied knowing Jesus on three different occasions. Let us think about our own life. How many times have we denied knowing Jesus? At first, we might think the question does not apply to us because we claim to be a Christian and a Christian would not deny knowing Jesus.
I would venture to say that we have all denied knowing Jesus without even being aware of it. Have you ever heard people use His name in vain? We have all heard people do this. Did we stand up for Jesus by saying who He is and what He has done for all of us or did we just shrink into the crowd and hang our head low?
Think of the times someone has approached us with a problem or a burden and they are looking for an answer, but we were hesitant to tell them about our Lord and Savior. We lost the opportunity to glorify our Lord and lift the burden from the shoulders of one of God’s children. We actually denied knowing Jesus.
We judge Peter because he denied knowing Jesus only three times when we have done this a multitude of times. Jesus knew Peter would deny knowing Him, but He still loved Peter. He also knows of all the times we have denied knowing Him, but He still loves us.
Peter knew what he had done and it hurt him deeply. He was sorry for his mistake. He carried a heavy burden from the first incident to the present meeting on the beach with Jesus and the other disciples.
Scripture tells us: “Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea” (John 21:7).
Peter put on his garment, probably his shirt, so he would look his very best in the presence of the Lord. He wanted to get to Jesus and form a right relationship with Him. At this time, Peter did not know where he stood relative with the Master.
I can imagine the thoughts going through Peter’s mind as he made his way to Jesus. Would Jesus forgive him? Would reconciliation with Jesus be possible? I would venture to say that Peter doubted he was worthy to be in the presence of Jesus.
Peter had a very guilty feeling. The joy and happiness had gone out of his life. This is the same with us. When we do something to one of our family members or friends that causes them heartache, we are sorry and we have a guilty feeling. We hesitate to go around or speak to these people because we are so ashamed of ourselves. Have you ever had such an experience? I have.
Jesus did not reprimand Peter nor did He ever intend to do so. He knew Peter and He knew Peter already had punished himself. Peter did not know it, but Jesus had already forgiven him. In fact, Jesus not only forgave Peter, but He forgot the crime, the sin, the wrongdoing.
We know when we do wrong or when we sin and as a Christian, we repent and ask forgiveness. Jesus does the same for us that He did for Peter. He forgives us and forgets the sin we committed. He already took our sins and placed that at the foot of the Cross. He did this out of His love for His children.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not sent His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
The world talked about here is in reference to His children. We are His children. We are the world. God, the Father, did this for all of us.
This is how God showed His love for His children. We, His children, need to show our love to Him by believing, trusting, and obeying His Word. You and I know and love Jesus by faith and acceptance of His Word. We are still sinners, but we are sinners saved by the grace of Almighty God.
Jesus asked Peter the same question three times. It is interesting to note that the question was directed to Peter and not to the other disciples. Jesus was not trying to make Peter feel bad or guilty in any way. As I said, Peter already felt guilty and therefore punished himself.
The first time Jesus asked Peter the question was a little bit different than the second and third time. The first time Jesus stated the question this way: “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” (v. 15). Notice that Jesus called Peter Simon and not Cephas or Peter. He called Peter by his original name which was Simon.
The first part of the first question was, “…do you truly love me…” In other words, Jesus is asking this question because in order for Peter or any of us to be His disciple or follower, love for Him is mandatory and fundamental. How can we dedicate our life to Him if we do not truly and completely love Him?
Peter did deny knowing Jesus. At times we do the same thing without realizing it. Peter repented of his sins just as we repent of our sins. If Peter did not love truly love Jesus and if we do not truly love Jesus, then it is not possible for us to carry out His mission. Jesus’ mission involves loving and caring for the souls of people.
The second part of question number one involved loving Jesus “…more than these”. What is meant by the words, “more than these”? Jesus could have been asking Peter if he loved Him more he loved these disciples. Peter, do you love me more than your best friend? Do you love me more than your family? In other words, Peter do I occupy first place in your heart.
Peter’s reply to the first question was, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you” (v. 15). As His followers, you and I should answer the question as did Peter. There is no one who has ever done more for us than Jesus. No human-being, husband, wife, children, family or friends cannot match what Jesus did for us.
After Peter answered the first question, Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs” (v.15). Jesus needed to be sure Peter truly loved Him or otherwise He would not have entrusted Peter with the feeding of His lambs. Without love for the Great Shepherd, there can be no love for the lambs.
The second time Jesus asked Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” (v.16) Notice Jesus didn’t add the words, “more than these”. Peter already indicated his love for Jesus was first and foremost, therefore, there was no need to focus on the other disciples. The spotlight was entirely focused on only Peter.
Again Peter answered “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (v. 16). Jesus knew what was in Peter’s heart as He knows what is in our heart. We can fool other people, but we cannot fool our Lord. He knows us inside and out. Jesus said to Peter, “Take care of my sheep”. (v.16)
Then the third time Jesus asked Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (v. 17). This third question brought to Peter’s mind the third time he denied knowing Jesus. He was under great pressure when challenged by one of the priest’s servants standing in the presence of Annas. After this third denial, the rooster began to crow.
When Jesus asked Peter the same question for the third time, Peter was beginning to feel a bit uneasy and pressured as he did during his third denial of knowing Jesus. Peter said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you” (v. 17). Jesus said to Peter “Feed my sheep” (v. 17).
Why did Jesus say to Peter, “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” and”Feed my sheep”? Lambs are young sheep. They are like young children and need tender loving care. Babies have to be fed just as young Christians have to be fed the Word of God. Peter was to feed the lambs which are God’s children.
Sheep have a tendency to wander away from the fold just as children wander away from their parents or older folks wander away from their familiar surroundings and get lost. Peter was told to tend the sheep, meaning all God’s children and make sure they stay with the rest of the sheep. Parents tend their children and watch over them so as to keep them safe and secure.
Sheep have to be fed and that entails moving them from pasture to pasture so they can graze on new grass. All of us need to have food. Parents look after their family and make sure they have food for survival. We, as Christians, feed the less fortunate or those who are in need. As Christians, we are called to feed the Word to those who are spiritually hungry just as Peter was instructed to do.
You might wonder why Jesus addressed only Peter with these questions. The answer is that it is easy to profess to be a Christian and to say you have love for Jesus, but it is a different story when you must becomes engaged in carrying out the mission He started.
Since Peter is the one who outright denied Jesus, but had repented, Jesus wanted to give him back his true discipleship status. This period of questioning and the way Peter answered these questions was to show Peter that he now had a personal relationship with the Lord.
Peter showed his love for Jesus and in return Jesus trusted Peter with the commission of feeding His lambs, tending His sheep, and feeding his sheep. Jesus has commissioned each one of us to do the same as Peter and the other disciples.
Jesus then said to Peter, “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (v. 18).
This Scripture indicates the way Peter would finish his life. His life would end on a cross but not in the position in which Jesus was crucified. Peter would be crucified on a cross in Rome and he would be in an upside down position. The reason being that he did not think he was worthy to die in the same manner as did Jesus.
Jesus said to Peter as He says to us, “Follow Me”.
The question is: Do we love Jesus enough to follow Him?
The answer should be: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you”.
Amen.
