Recommissioned
(John 21:15-19)
Intro:
A. I want to share some quick highlights in the life the Apostle Peter. He gets his name after his brother brings him to Jesus down in Judea when they were following John the Baptist, but he gets his commission up in Galilee after Jesus preaches to a crowd and says to Peter, “Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men.” Peter, along with his brother and business partners, James and John, leave everything to follow Jesus. Those four men become the people Jesus leans on and uses at different times in his ministry.
B. As we come to the night Jesus will be betrayed, Jesus tells the disciples that they will all fall away to which Peter replies, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him three times before rooster crows the next morning, but Peter adamantly disagrees with Jesus and professes his loyalty.
C. Jesus told Peter that Satan had demanded to sift him like wheat, but that he, Jesus, had prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. But then Jesus added this phrase, “And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
D. We know that later that evening, after Judas betrays Jesus and Jesus is taken to home of the high priest, Peter is outside, warming by a charcoal fire and there he denies Jesus three times, just as Jesus said he would. After he does, he sees Jesus and their eyes meet. Peter’s heart breaks and he runs away and weeps bitterly.
E. After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter is with the others who see Jesus in the upper room. He is with them up in Galilee when Jesus commissions them to go and make disciples. About that time, in Galilee, Peter decides to go back fishing, just like he did before Jesus. They fish all night and catch nothing, but Jesus shows up on water’s edge. They know who it is and Peter jumps from the boat and swims to shore where Jesus has a charcoal fire for Peter to warm himself and eat a breakfast of fish.
I. The Breakfast of Champions
A. I believe most people have willfully sinned and felt shame. Maybe their sin was seen by many or maybe it was known to only a few or even no one but God. But shame is self-inflicted harm. Shame bears an internal punishment that we inflict upon ourselves and therefore only we can let go of shame. Peter was guilty for what he did, but I believe he carried shame that he couldn’t fully shake. So, he went back to his old way of life, his old routine and went fishing.
B. There is no one like Jesus, and few like Peter. It really was a breakfast to remember. READ John 21:15. What a question. I have often wondered if Peter was waiting for this day to come. Was Peter looking for Jesus to tell him, “I told you so?” Was Peter waiting for Jesus to remind him how much of a failure he was that night by a charcoal fire? Jesus doesn’t do what most of would have done. Jesus wants Peter to let go of the shame he is carrying around.
C. So together they walk through the consequence of sin, and Jesus frees Peter to move forward. That first time, Jesus asks Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? While we do not know exactly what Jesus was referring to with the word “these,” it really is only two options, the other disciples that Peter had so boldly said, “if they fall away, I will not.” Or the fish, as if Jesus was saying, “Do you love me more than self and your old way of living?” Either way, it was a tough question. But Peter answers, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.”
D. There are two different words for love used in this question, “agape” and “phileo.” Jesus asks about “agape love” what many call unconditional and Peter responds with “phileo” which is more connected to emotional bonding, brotherly love. I really don’t know if the distinction is intended to have deep meaning here, but the question and the response are important.
E. Peter believes Jesus can see into his heart and therefore knows the depth of love he has for Jesus. Yes, he failed. Yes, he denied him. Yes, he ran away. But the shame of that night haunts Peter. He needs Jesus to know his love.
F. READ John 21:15-17. Understand what Jesus is doing with Simon Peter. Jesus knows Peter loves him. Jesus knows Peter hates his sin and carries his shame, so Jesus recommissions him. Jesus tells him, “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.”
G. What Jesus is doing is calling Peter an action of love. Don’t just say, “I love Jesus,” do the work of love that Jesus did. Love those who don’t deserve love. Love those who hate themselves. Love those who need a cup of water, clothing, food, a hug. Love the lambs by feeding and meeting the needs of others.
II. A Recommissioned Life
A. If I want to get over my shame and guilt, I do it by living in grace. I am not trying to undo my past or have my good works be great than my bad. My actions are a direct result of my recommissioned life. I do my masters will. Sooner or later, I have to accept forgiveness and move into actions of grace, or I will die in my shame.
B. READ 1 Cor. 3:5-9. Being productive in God’s family is my calling. The Holy Spirit has gifted you, don’t quench the Spirit. Some of you plant the seed of faith, you are the evangelists. Some of you water the plants, you are the teachers and mentors. But it God who gives the increase.
C. What Jesus did for Peter, and he does for us, is puts us to work in God’s kingdom, God’s field. Get over feeling sorry for yourself and get to work in the actions of grace and love. Paul wanted his thorn in the flesh to be removed. He pleaded with Jesus in prayer three times, but the answer Jesus gave was “my grace is sufficient for you.” Do you believe that? Do you accept the grace of Jesus to move beyond your sin? Paul did, Peter did, but what about you? In our text, twice Jesus says to Peter, "Follow me." That's our calling, to follow Jesus.
Conclusion:
A. How is it with your soul? Don’t say, “just fine” if it’s not. The church is a place of dirty, hurting people who live under the grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus knows your name, your heart, your cry. He hears you when you call.
