FULFILLMENT From LOVE-I—John 21:15-22
Attention:
Poor Bill Jones
In a coastal church one Sunday morning, a bespectacled minister glanced at the note that Mrs. Jones had sent to him by an usher.
The note read: "Bill Jones, having gone to sea, his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety."
Failing to observe the punctuation, he startled his audience by announcing:
"Bill Jones, having gone to see his wife, desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety."
Neither Bill Jones’ wife nor Mr. Jones himself experienced the fulfillment of their desire.
Need:
All of the ills of mankind are directly or indirectly related to personal fulfillment.
If I am unfulfilled, I seek avenues by which it can be obtained. I am driven to reach a point of equilibrium of fulfillment...
If my job is unfulfilling, I seek employment elsewhere.
If my career is unfulfilling, I will seek a different path.
If my marriage is unfulfilling, I seek the return of satisfaction.
If my relationship is unfulfilling, I will seek relationships which meet my desire.
All of these problems are answered thru Love.
The circumstances surrounding Peter’s reinstatement made much of the commitment needed to fulfill his station in life.
The circumstances of Peter’s reinstatement made much of his personal commitment to love.
Fulfillment hinges upon a commitment to love.
How does love bring fulfillment to our lives?
4 commitments to love that bring fulfillment.
1— Your commitment to Love brings fulfillment to...
Your MISSION(:15-17)
Explanation: (:15-17) Others
: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.”
Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James & John + 2 other disciples went fishing & had a breakfast of fish & bread with the resurrected & otherwise unrecognized(:4, 12) Jesus, by the Sea of Galilee(:1-14).
Upon eating breakfast, Jesus directs a question to Peter which takes him aback. He addresses Peter’s personal relationship to Jesus. Jesus approaches Peter as the “son of Jonah.” ?Would this cause Peter to focus upon his background as ?a fisherman? ?Would this make him realize his weaknesses as a man in contrast to the potential high-mindedness of his position within the now 11 disciples?
Regardless, Jesus desires that Peter openly voice his “love” for Jesus. Jesus not only wants Peter to reckon with such “love,” but wants him to qualify(“more than”) it & contrast(“these”) his love with that of the disciples that are present(7 in number—See above :2).
The contrast could also be with the things(“these”) of Peter’s livelihood as a fisherman, to which he(& the others) reverts in :3-8.
Peter’s response is an unhesitating, “Yes.” However Peter does not directly state that his “love” for Jesus is “more than these.” He merely states the fact with the added fact that Jesus Himself, indeed “knows” that Peter “loves” Him.
In response to Peter’s affirmation of love, he is then commissioned or re-commissioned(See Lk. :60-62) by Jesus at this moment. Peter is commissioned to personally supply nourishment(“Feed”) for those “lambs” which are Jesus’. This could also infer that “these”—the present disciples— are to be included as “lambs.”
Lk. 22:60-62—“But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned & looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out & wept bitterly.”
Confession of “love” for Christ is sufficient to warrant one’s responsibility for sustaining those who are very young—even infantile—in Christ & which belong to Him. The “lambs” are Christ’s possession & that possession is precious to Him. However, Jesus’ responsibility for them is now transferred to such as are under-shepherds(1Pet. 5:2-4) in Peter’s likeness. A grave trustee-ship at best.
This is the first of three questions regarding Peter’s “love” for Jesus, which is probably in answer to the three open denials which Peter declared at Jesus’ arrest outside the high priest’s house(Lk. 22:54).
The interplay of agapaw & filew may be inconclusive, however there is much indecision regarding it.
Hendriksen sees this as Peter’s awareness of personal sin. Formerly being one who spoke before he thought but after the resurrection, realizing his weakness. Thereby he is guardedly unwilling to declare his “love” in the terms Jesus seeks.
“Eaten breakfast/Dined/Finished breakfast/Finished eating”—aristaw—V.—1) To breakfast; 2) by later usage, To dine. Strong—To take the principle meal. Used 3X.
From—ariston—N.n.—1) The first food taken early in the morning before work, breakfast. Strong—The best meal [or breakfast; perhaps from hri ("early")], i.e. Luncheon.
“Simon”—Simwn—From Hebrew—Nwemv Shim`own—Simeon or Shimeon = “Heard”
“Peter”—Petrov—Peter = “A rock or a stone”
“Jonah”—Iwnav—Jonah or Jonas = “Dove.” From hnwy Yonah—Jonah = “Dove.” Strong—Jonas (i.e. Jonah).
“Love”(See :16, 17, 20)—agapaw—V.—1) of persons—1a) To welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly; 2) of things—2a) To be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing. Agapaw, & not filew, is the word used of God’s love to men, filanyropia is, however, once used with this meaning, Tit 3:4. Agapaw is also the word ordinarily used of men’s love to God, but filew is once so used, 1Co 16:22. Agapaw is the word used of love to one’s enemies. Strong—To love (in a social or moral sense).
“More”—pleion—Adj.—1) Greater in quantity—1a) The more part, very many; 2) Greater in quality, superior, more excellent. Strong—comparative of poluv; More in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) The major portion.
“These”—toutwn—Pron.—1) Of these. Strong— Of (from or concerning) these (persons or things).
“Yes”—nai—1) Yea, verily, truly, assuredly, even so. Strong—A primary particle of strong affirmation; Yes.
“Know”(See :17—ginwskw)—oida—1) To see; 2) To know. Oida means to see with the mind’s eye, signifies a clear & purely mental perception. Strong—a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent optanomai & oraw; properly, To see (literally or figuratively); by implication (in the perf. only) To know.
“Love”(See :16, 17)—filew—1) To love—1a) To approve of, 1b) To like, 1c) Sanction, 1d) To treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend; 2) To show signs of love—2a) To kiss; 3) To be fond of doing—3a) Be wont, use to do. Strong—To be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), i.e. Have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while agapaw is wider, embracing especially the judgment & the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty & propriety: the two thus stand related very much as yelw & boulomai, or as yumov & nouv respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart & the latter of the head); specifically, To kiss (as a mark of tenderness).
“Feed”(See :17)—boskw—V.—1) To feed—1a) portraying the duty of a Christian teacher To promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church. Strong—To pasture; by extension To, fodder; reflexively, To graze. Used 9X.
“Lambs”—arnion—N. n.—1) A little lamb, a lamb. Strong—diminutive from arhn; A lambkin.
: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.”
Following the initial commission to Peter, Jesus then reiterates His original question. The question, or rather the answer to the question, is vital to the fulfillment of Peter’s mission.
Peter likewise answers is the same manner as previously using the exact wording as before. He informs Jesus that He is well aware of the nature of Peter’s “love.” Peter is again declaring Jesus’ Divine nature & knowledge of a man’s inner thoughts.
Jesus then responds to Peter’s declaration of “love” with a subtle & larger nuance to Peter’s mission. Jesus commands Peter to “tend” Jesus’ “sheep.”
“Tending” “sheep” includes their physical sustenance but encompasses much more. It involves more careful attention to the “sheep,” & much more of an investment by the shepherd.
This word describing Peter’s commitment is rooted in the word translated as ‘pastor’(Eph. 4:11—See “Tend” below).
Peter’s commission also involves other than infants of the flock(“lambs” :15) as was the previous focus. “Sheep” are older animals of adult status knowledge & temperament. They too must be looked after & pastured properly.
Thus Peter is to consider the pastoral aspects of those needing elementary & fundamental care, as well as the needs of those requiring adult care. Jesus is of course, referring to Peter’s fellow Christians, the children of God who are of the flock belonging to Christ. *Because of his “love” for Jesus, Peter has been entrusted with the responsibility for tending to the needs of both new & seasoned Christians.
“Tend”—poimainw—V.—1) To feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep—1a) To rule, govern—1a1) Of rulers, 1a2) To furnish pasture for food, 1a3) To nourish, 1a4) To cherish one’s body, to serve the body, 1a5) To supply the requisites for the soul’s need. The wider term than boskw. Poimainw include oversight,while boskw denotes nourishment. Used 11X.
From—poimhn—N.n.—1) A herdsman, esp. a shepherd; 2) metaph.—2a) The presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church—2a1) Of the overseers of the Christian assemblies, 2a2) Of kings & princes. Strong—A shepherd (literally or figuratively). Eph. 4:11—“pastors.”
“Sheep”(See :17)—probaton—N. n.—1) Any four footed, tame animal accustomed to graze, small cattle (opp. to large cattle, horses, etc.), most commonly A sheep or a goat—1a) A sheep, & so always in the NT. Strong—Something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specifically) A sheep (literally or figuratively).
: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.”
Jesus now approaches Peter with the same question the third time. However, He substitutes Peter’s very word for “love” in His inquiry. This leaves Peter no wiggle-room in his response. He cannot take the ‘lower road’ as it were. Peter must now align himself with the very same “love” which Jesus expects of him, as this has been his response to Jesus all along(:15-16).
Jesus’ third inquiry of the same matter “grieved” Peter. He was hurt & sorrowed at the seeming inquisition. Peter had not understood Jesus’ purpose in it. Or rather Peter had only applied its purpose in a negative context rather than seeing the growth & trust aspects associated with the inquiries.
Peter responds with more emotion & adamantly relating to Jesus that He(as the Divine Son of God) is well aware of Peter’s great “love” for Him, without his having to express it verbally. Peter states explicitly that Jesus “knows” that Peter has a tender personal affection & attachment to Him. It is an attachment that will propel Peter to such service as Jesus desires.
Jesus again restates Peter’s mission. Jesus uses language which encompasses additional aspects, exhortation & enlightenment for the mission inclusive of those concepts in the two previous statements.
“Love”3X(See :15, 16, 20)—filew—1) To love—1a) To approve of, 1b) To like, 1c) Sanction, 1d) To treat affectionately or kindly, to welcome, befriend; 2) To show signs of love—2a) To kiss; 3) To be fond of doing—3a) Be wont, use to do. Strong—To be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), i.e. Have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while agapaw is wider, embracing especially the judgment & the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty & propriety: the two thus stand related very much as yelw & boulomai, or as yumov & nouv respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart & the latter of the head); specifically, To kiss (as a mark of tenderness).
“Grieved”—lupew—1) To make sorrowful; 2) To affect with sadness, cause grief, to throw into sorrow; 3) To grieve, offend; 4) To make one uneasy, cause him a scruple. The most general word, meaning simply to grieve, outwardly or inwardly. Strong—To distress; reflexively or passively, To be sad.
“Know”(See :15— oida)—ginwskw—1) To learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel—1a) To become known; 2) To know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of—2a) To understand, 2b) To know; 3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man & a woman; 4) To become acquainted with, to know. Ginwskw is a knowledge grounded on personal experience. Strong—To "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications & with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed).
“Feed”(See :15)—boskw—V.—1) To feed—1a) portraying the duty of a Christian teacher To promote in every way the spiritual welfare of the members of the church. Strong—To pasture; by extension To, fodder; reflexively, To graze. Used 9X.
“Sheep”(See :16)—probaton—N. n.—1) Any four footed, tame animal accustomed to graze, small cattle (opp. to large cattle, horses, etc.), most commonly A sheep or a goat—1a) A sheep, & so always in the NT. Strong—Something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specifically) A sheep (literally or figuratively).
Argumentation:
Some may say this was written to Peter. Peter was one of the 12 disciples...he was an apostle...the Holy Spirit came upon him in an open incontestable manner...he was an elder...he was a preacher, etc. But we must understand that regardless of all that occurred in his life that has not occurred in yours, Peter still had a Mission to fulfill!...& so do you!
LOVE:
Mk. 12:29-30—“Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, & with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.”
SHEPHERD(Feed & Tend):
Ezek. 34:20-23—“‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat & the lean sheep. Because you have pushed with side & shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, & scattered them abroad, therefore I will save My flock, & they shall no longer be a prey; & I will judge between sheep & sheep. I will establish one shepherd over them, & he shall feed them--My servant David. He shall feed them & be their shepherd.”
Isa 40:10-11 “Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.”
MISSION:
Mat. 28:18-20—“And Jesus came & spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven & on earth. Go therefore & make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; & lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
If in our going we fail to “make disciples” then we fail the mission.
If in our “making disciples” we fail to “baptize them” in the fullness of God’s holy name, then we fail the mission.
If in our “baptizing” of true disciples we fail to “teach them” the truths of the Christian faith, then we fail the mission.
This Mission must be applied properly for/to/in each of our unique situations. In that it becomes personal.
Illustration:
Marriage/The Mission is, thru love for each other, to mutually nurture opportunity for growth physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally/Your MISSION
Application:
?You Committed to your God-ordained MISSION?
?You Committed thru Love for Jesus?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Neither Bill Jones’ wife nor Mr. Jones himself experienced the fulfillment of their desire.
Action:
Your commitment to Love brings fulfillment to...
1. Your MISSION(:15-17)
Presented 02/12/2012am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
