The Restoration for the Galilean
Mark 14:65-72, John 21:15-19
Good morning.
Many of us remember the TV show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The show was hosted by Ty Pennington, and it was about rebuilding homes, trying to give certain families hope.
The show would do electrical, plumbing, roofing, and, if needed, they would demolish the entire house and build a new one.
When Sandra and I started life together, we rented a little house that turned out to be a sick house, complete with black mold and infestation problems.
This house was a total wreck and, in my opinion, beyond hope.
Picture if the Home Makeover show came over and tore that house down and replaced it with a brand-new mansion.
The new mansion would have a chef’s kitchen, granite counter tops, new flooring, and all the latest home upgrades.
Please open your Bibles to two places, first to John 21, place a bookmark there and to Mark 14, as we continue in that study.
Last time we were in Mark, we learned about the beginning of Jesus’ trials. A group of religious leaders were at Caiaphas’ house waiting for Jesus to arrive and begin the first illegal trial.
But where were His Disciples? They had all forsaken Jesus…
As the trial was happening, Peter hung out with the enemy and warmed himself with their fire, which is a picture of being comfortable with sin.
This morning, we will learn about Peter’s complete denial of Christ but, we will also learn about Peter’s complete restoration.
I. The atrocities during the denial.
Read Mark 14:65
Remember who this Jesus is that these religious leaders were torturing.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. NKJV
Even though Jesus was fully God, He humbled Himself and came in the likeness of a man. Jesus was a man with all the temptations and frailties, just like the rest of humankind.
The body has a very unique way of protecting itself when we see something with our peripheral vision. Think about how the eye automatically blinks when it sees something coming towards it.
Being blindfolded meant Jesus could not flinch or guard against the punches, so the strikes to His face would have been much more destructive.
He was beaten so badly He was almost unrecognizable.
800 years prior to this event in the NLT of Isaiah 52:14 Many were amazed when they saw him — beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. NLT
The reason these men were able to do this was because Jesus allowed it as He submitted to the will of the Father.
The amazing fact is, Jesus not only loves us, but He also loved these men as well. The love of Jesus stands in stark contrast to the pride and hatred of the men who brutalized our King.
Spurgeon says, “Understanding that Jesus endured such pain and humiliation should cause us to respond in three ways.”
1. We should bravely bear pain and humiliation for His sake.
When we are mocked and ridiculed for our faith, remember what our Savior endured for us.
2. We should be more diligent to praise Jesus. “How earnestly we ought we to honor our dear Lord.”
The King loved us so much, He endured the shame and paid the price for us to be born again and receive Eternal Life.
3. We should have more assurance and confidence in receiving the finished work of Jesus for our redemption.
Remember, while these beatings and trials were going on, Peter was outside warming himself at the enemy’s fire.
II. The rooster revealed Peter’s heart.
Read Mark 14:66-72
Remember in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter was willing to die for Jesus and he even cut the ear of one of the soldiers who had come to arrest Jesus. Then Jesus healed the man.
But here, Peter sees a servant girl as a threat to his life.
Last time we learned about the steps to Peter’s denial that led him to the enemy’s fire. Here, let’s look at the progression of Peter’s failure that led to his full denial of knowing Jesus.
Peter denied he had been with Jesus, Peter also lied about knowing Jesus, and finally Peter cursed and swore with an oath.
This is the same progression we sometimes see when someone gets caught. Rather than repenting, a person might deny, lie, and swear they didn’t do the thing that they are accused of doing.
Notice those around Peter say, wait a minute, you have a Galilean dialect, surely you are one of His followers.
1. Peter failed to spiritually prepare himself, by trusting in self, rather than trusting in the Lord.
When we do life in our own strength rather than putting on the full armor of God, we will fall for the attacks of the enemy.
Jesus foreknew this was going to happen too. He warned Peter in Luke 22:31, And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
2. Peter surrounded himself with the enemies of the Savior rather than people of like faith.
During the time our Lord was being abused by the Sanhedrin Peter was warming himself comfortably among the enemies of our Lord, like he was one of Jesus’ enemies.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law, he meditates day and night. NKJV
Peter pretended not to know Jesus.
Peter not only made the dangerous error of deliberately placing himself in a situation of temptation, but also surrounded himself by evil companions.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." NKJV
3. Peter denied Jesus twice more.
Casting Crowns has a song that says, “It's a slow fade when you give yourself away, it’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray.
The first time we fail or deny the Lord may be a tough decision but if we fail to repent of our sins and failures, the next denial or failure will get easier and easier.
As we continue in our sin and rebellion, we will have a slow fade into a backslidden lifestyle.
The rooster crowed and Peter remembered Jesus’ words. Peter was painfully aware of his flesh, where no good thing dwells!
Discovering the weakness of our own flesh is bitter, but it can be a blessing if we use it as a catalyst towards repentance.
When Peter realized he sinned and betrayed Jesus, he wept bitterly. The proof that this was a true repentance was seen in the fruit of Peter’s future ministry.
Some people are sorry they got caught and there is true sorrow.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. NKJV
The Gospel of Luke adds some light to this… Luke 22:60 Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.
Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
Luke 22:62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly. NKJV
In the original language “look” means to look at with the mind. How do you think the Lord looked at Peter here?
Most commentators agree Jesus looked at Peter with love and compassion, not disappointment or anger.
This love and compassion seen in Jesus’ eyes broke Peter’s heart and caused a true repentance in him.
Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? NKJV
Because Peter repented, later the Lord restored Peter to ministry and used him mightily for the Kingdom.
When there is a true repentance from a person, the Lord will restore that person, even someone who denied Him three times.
Isn’t it wonderful to know we serve a God who will still allow us to join Him in His plan, even if we have failures within our past?
People may hold even the smallest mistake against you but God, simply wants you to learn from your mistakes. We repent and turn from sin as we allow Him to re-align our priorities in life!
After Jesus was mocked and beaten, Peter denied Him but Jesus’ eyes of forgiveness and love were specifically on Peter, even as Jesus was being led away to more trials and beatings.
True Repentance is less about feeling bad about our behavior, and more about feeling awe and delight towards the Lord.
The more glimpses we receive of the glory of God, the more we mourn over our sin for scorning His glory.
My Jesus is merciful and kind, and His love endures forever!
Jesus loves when one of His children comes back to their senses and runs to Him, the only One who truly loves us!
Please turn to the Gospel of John.
Next time in the Gospel of Mark, we will see the false trials before the Gentiles but for the remained of today, I would like to discuss how Jesus restored Peter to ministry.
III. Backstory of John 21.
Previously Peter walked on the water with Jesus. Peter, along with James and John, witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus.
Peter and John prepared the Passover feast (the "Last Supper") with His disciples before the Crucifixion.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter tried to prevent the Lord's arrest after Judas betrayed Him. Jesus warned the other eleven Disciples that they would all stumble because of Him.
Peter told Jesus He was wrong and how he would not fail Him.
Fast forward to the morning of the Resurrection, Peter believed Jesus had risen after he and John witnessed the folded burial cloths in the empty tomb.
Peter was in the Upper Room when Jesus appeared to them after the Resurrection, breathed the Holy Spirit on them and commissioned them to go and reach the world with the Gospel.
When Peter first met Jesus, Jesus changed his vocation from fisherman to a fisher of men.
Matthew 4:18 Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. NKJV
We just learned how Peter denied that he ever knew Jesus three times, exactly as Jesus had predicted he would.
We don’t know how much time passed between the Post Resurrection appearance of Jesus in the Upper Room and John 21, but it appears Peter got tired of waiting for Jesus to return.
Peter took matters into his own hands, got frustrated and reverted to his old way of life.
Peter was found trying to go back to his old life of fishing.
John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." NKJV and then…
IV. Peter is restored to his calling.
John 21:11-17
Imagine this scene for a moment, these professional fishermen have been fishing all night and don’t even get a nibble.
Then they heard a voice from the shore telling them to place the net three feet away, on the other side of the boat.
Because of their obedience to follow Christ’s directive, they are blessed with a net full of success.
Notice, even though Jesus He has already ascended to heaven, He is still very involved in their lives and serving His followers.
(Notice first that) Jesus called Peter, Simon, which is his old name. Jesus was trying to reveal to Peter that the times of going back to the old life needed to end.
It was time to move on and get busy with kingdom business!
Earlier on, Peter said he would never deny the Lord, and now Jesus is telling him, it’s time to receive a lesson in humility.
Peter previously denied Jesus three times and now Jesus asks Peter three different times, “Do you love Me?”
Jesus asks, “Do you love Me more than these?”
I believe Jesus was asking Peter, “Do you love me more than these fish?” Jesus could have been asking if Peter loved Him more than the occupation of fishing.
Jesus was telling Peter that there is something creating a barrier in Peter’s relationship with Christ.
Jesus wanted to know if He was going to be the priority in Peter’s life, so He asks the question, “Do you truly love me?
It is as if Jesus said, “Peter, you have natural talent and abilities as a fisherman but that is your former life.”
The apparent questions: Do you love and trust Me more than your love for your job, career or money? Do you love Me with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength?
Jesus was asking Peter, “Do I have first place in your life?”
It's easy to "say" we love someone. But do we really? Would we give everything up for them? Would we die for them?
When someone repeats the same question again and again, we probably start to question our answer.
Peter was offended, but Jesus already knew the truth about Peter’s betrayal and Peter’s amazing restoration.
True love is needed but with the English language, there is only one word for love.
I love my dog, I love my car, I love my country, and I love my wife. The Greek language has four Words for love:
• Storge: Natural affection and relates to family love.
• Eros, which means erotic love.
• Phileo means friendship or brotherly love, human relations.
• Agápe; (aga-paw-o) represents divine, unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, and thoughtful love.
Verse 15 Jesus asked Peter, “Do you agápe me; that is, “Do you love me unconditionally; will all of your heart?”
Peter answered, “I phileo you, i.e. I have concern for humanity, so I care about you. So, Jesus tells him, “Feed My Lambs.”
The meaning here of little lambs means to be concerned for the young or New Christians, especially those who have not yet come to faith.
Peter feed those who are not yet ready to graze on their own.
Verse 16, Jesus now for a second time asks Peter, “Do you agápe me; love me unconditionally; will all of your heart?”
Notice He left off the “More than these” out of the question.
“Okay Peter, you say you love me more than the old life, but do you really love me, with all of your heart?”
Peter then answers, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.”
Peter is telling the Lord that He knows his heart and that “I phileo you, or I really care about you.”
“You know we have a relationship Jesus” so, Jesus tells Peter, “Feed My Sheep.”
In this case Feed My Sheep means to Shepherd those God has put under you, feed them, give them what they need.
Who has the Lord put in your life or path that you need to be an example or authority to?
Are you living out the example for the people the Lord put in your life that you should be, teaching them the Word of God?
When Jesus asked Peter the third time, “Do you Love Me?” Jesus switched and used the word Peter was using, Phileo, instead of Agape, which is unconditional love.
In verse 17 Jesus asked, “Do you really care about me?”
Do you really have affection for Me?
Jesus said, “If you really cared about Me, if you really Phileo-ed Me, you would have done what I asked you to do!” Peter says, “Lord, You know all things, You know that I love you”
Peter was not upset because the Lord asked him three times if he loved Him. I believe Peter was upset because the Lord had to stoop down to his level by using his definition of love.
And then again Jesus says, “Feed My sheep.”
Jesus used the word agape – A full and complete love, but the response of Peter is Phileo – I love you like a brother.
Peter gave his response in basic human love; “Do you love me?” Jesus was examining the genuineness of Peter’s love and Jesus brought the conversation down to the human level of love.
Peter was hurt by the continued questioning because he was basically saying you know I love you like a brother.
Jesus had promised to return but He has asked His followers to be about His Father’s business until He comes again.
So, again, Peter had denied Jesus three times and here Jesus asked Peter three different times, “Do you love Me?”
When Jesus restored Peter, he became a foundational member of the early church. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to the Church, Peter rose up and gave a powerful sermon.
Acts 2:41, Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
On the Day of Pentecost, the church went from about 120 people who were in the Upper Room to over 3,000 people in one day.
Just like Extreme Makeover, the Lord desires to restore His children. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, so He is still in the restoration business.
There is hope because God desires to restore even after failures.
1. God can restore our life by deepening our relationship with Christ.
The closer and deeper our relationship is with Christ, the quicker a restoration process will happen.
2. God can restore our life by making us more fruitful while serving Him.
From last week, John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. NKJV
Without abiding in Christ, we produce no real spiritual fruit.
3. God restores our lives as He gives long-term gain for the kingdom from our short-term trials and loss.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
1 Peter 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, NKJV
The praise, glory, and honor should go to Christ because His power kept you through the hardest parts of your life.
Earlier I said, Jesus foreknew was going to happen. He warned Peter in Luke 22:31, And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
But the next verse says, Luke 22:32, But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." NKJV
So many times, we believe the enemy and our own flesh that tell us the Lord will never use us again after a failure.
If you surrender and accept Jesus as the Lord, He will not only save you but, if you are already saved, He can restore you to what He created you to be. God is in the restoration business.
Failure is not fatal if you will only look to the One who bore your sin and shame on the cross at Calvary’s hill.
