Peter Restored – John
21-
Icebreaker: Have you ever said something without thinking that later you wish you could take back? What was the outcome of what you said? Did you learn anything from that experience?
Introduction: In this study we will look at some key events in the life of Peter. First, we will look at Jesus predicting Peter’s denial of Jesus. Then we will look at Peter’s denial of Jesus. Lastly, we will go to John chapter 21 and study the restoration of Peter by Jesus. I feel we need to understand these key events in order to get a better understanding of their importance and how they impacted the early church.
Jesus’ Predicts Peter’s denial:
Read Matthew 26:31-35; Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.
What significant things does Jesus say in verses 31 & 32?
Jesus is telling the disciples in advance that all of them will desert/abandon Him when He gets arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. This would fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 which was given five hundred years before Jesus was born. In verse 32 Jesus tells them that after He has risen from the dead He will go to Galilee and meet them there. The angel repeated Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene and the other women in Matthew 28:7.
In verse 33 how does Peter respond to what Jesus said?
I believe Peter’s heart is in the right place when he says that he would never desert Jesus even if all the others deserted Jesus. I believe Peter meant what he said.
In verse 34 how does Jesus respond to Peter?
Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows he will deny Jesus three times.
In verse 35 how do Peter and the other disciples respond to Jesus?
I could imagine that Peter was shocked and stunned when Jesus told him he would deny Him three times. But, I don’t think Peter took the time to really process and think about what would come out of his mouth next. In verse 35 Peter says to Jesus; “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” I really believe Peter loved Jesus when he said this. But, his actions would prove that his love for Jesus wasn’t as “deep” as he thought.
Note: I know I can relate with Peter. There have been too many times I have said something before I really thought about what I was saying. This is a great example of why we need to be careful of what we say.
Note: Verse 35 tells us that all of the disciples said the same thing as Peter. But, we don’t remember what they said.
Peter’s denial: Read Matthew 26:69-75; Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
What comments or questions do you have on Peter’s three denials?
Peter’s three denials occur during the trial proceedings. The first denial (verses 69-70) is prompted by a servant girl. In his denial Peter claims ignorance when he says; “I do not know what you are talking about.”
-Second denial: Then feeling the pressure from the above encounter, Peter moves out of the gateway, but, another servant-girl confronts him saying; “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” In his second denial (verse 72) Peter says in an oath that he didn’t know Jesus. (Reference Matthew 5:34 where Jesus warned against oath taking).
-The third denial comes when people tell Peter that he was one of Jesus’ disciples because his speech made it evident he was a Galilean. In this denial Peter begins to curse and swear (verse 74) saying; “I do not know the man!” As soon as Peter said these words the rooster crowed. Verse 75 tells us that when the rooster crowed, Peter remembered that Jesus foretold his three denials. Then the verse says Peter left the area and wept bitterly.
Key takeaway: This is a great teaching of why it is important we monitor everything we say. There are some words that we can never take back. I am positive at this point Peter was sorry that he made a profession of commitment to Jesus that he didn’t keep.
Note: Did you notice that in each denial Peter became more emphatic? He didn’t learn from the previous denial, he kept making the problem worse.
Before we read about Peter’s restoration lets look at Matthew to get a better understanding of Peter’s relationship with Jesus.
Read Matthew 16:13-20; Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.
Why did Jesus ask the disciples who the Son of Man is?
I believe Jesus was asking this question to see if the disciples understood the true deity of the Son of Man (Jesus). Jesus wanted to know if any of them knew that He was the Christ, the Son of God. In verse 16 Peter shows that he knows that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
What is the significance of what Jesus says to Peter? See verses 17-19.
Note: In verse 17 Jesus tells us that Peter had spiritual insight to know His deity as the Son of God.
Note on verse 18: The name Peter (Greek-Petros) means “rock” or “rock-man”. In verse 18 Jesus says to Peter; “and upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” In this phrase Christ used petra (upon this rock), a feminine form for “rock”, not a name. There are scholars who believe Jesus used a play on words. He does not say “upon you, Peter” or “upon your successors,” but “upon this rock”-upon this divine revelation and profession of faith in Christ. I will build shows that the formation of the church was still in the future. It began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). I believe these verses are teaching that Jesus Himself is the Rock (petra) upon which the church is built. -The church is built out of those stones that partake the nature of the petra by their confession of faith in Him (see 1 Peter 2:2-4). Peter therefore is the first of many building stones in the church.
-The expression “gates of Hades” means “the power of death” cannot prevent the advance of the kingdom, nor claim victory over those who belong to God.
Note: The word “church” is a translation of “ekklesia”, meaning “called out” or “assembly.” In the New Testament usually refers to a local group of Christians. In this sense a church is an assembly of baptized believers under the discipline of the Word of God. They are to carry out the Great Commission and the administration of New Testament ordinances.
Note on verse 19: In this verse the Lord promises to Peter and the other apostles the keys of the kingdom. This means that Peter will have the right to enter the kingdom himself, and preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all people. The door was opened to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and for the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10).
-The expression “bind and loose” were common in Jewish legal phraseology, meaning to declare forbidden or to declare allowed. Peter and the other disciples were to continue on earth the work of Christ in preaching the gospel and declaring God’s will to men, and were armed with the same authority He Himself possessed. The book of Acts depicts this-the Great Commission in action.
Peter’s restoration: Before we get to Peter’s restoration we need to look at what happens in the first part of John chapter 21. The chapter starts with Simon Peter and six other disciples in Galilee. They had been fishing all night and they had caught nothing. At daybreak Jesus calls from shore and asks if they have any fish. They respond saying they have not caught anything. They don’t know that it is Jesus who is talking to them. In verse six Jesus tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat and they will find a catch. They cast the net on the right side of the boat and end up catching 153 large fish. Despite the large catch the net didn’t rip. Then Jesus invites them to have breakfast with Him. By this time they all have figured it out that it was Jesus who was with them. Jesus used these miracles to prove to the disciples that it was really Him and to show them a picture of how they would be bringing souls of men into the kingdom (fishers of men).
Read John 21:15-17; So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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, “Tend My sheep."
Why do you think Jesus asked Peter these questions?
Jesus asked Peter these questions in front of the other six disciples. In Matthew 26:35 Peter said even if it meant his death he would not deny Jesus. Peter made this profession of his loyalty to Jesus in front of the other disciples. By now they were all aware of the fact that Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now Jesus wants the other disciples to witness and understand Peter’s restoration. That is why Jesus had Peter publicly profess his love for Jesus three times in front of the other disciples. This was the restoration process needed to reinstate Peter as the spiritual leader of Jesus’ church.
We will look at each question that Jesus asks Peter. What comments or questions do you have on what Jesus asks and says?
Note: We have to look at the Greek meaning of the word “love” and the way Jesus used it to fully understand what Jesus was saying to Peter in these verses. Phileo means: to be fond of, care for, have personal attachment for. Agape love: means unconditional love.
-In His three questions, Jesus wanted Peter to respond with “agape” love. Because in his denial Peter responded with “phileo” love.
-I believe this time, Peter thought before he answered each of Jesus’ questions professing his faith. This is evidenced in verse 17 where it tells us Peter was grieved because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him.
Note: When Jesus tells Peter to “tend My lambs”(verse 15), tend my sheep(verse 17) I believe it is talking about care over the sheep(people). In verse 16 Jesus says; “Shepherd My sheep” I believe Jesus is telling me to teach and watch over the sheep/people.
What is the significance that Jesus addresses Peter as Simon, son of John?
I believe Jesus uses his old name Simon three times, not Peter (rock) his new spiritual name due to the fact that he denied Jesus three times. I believe Jesus is showing Peter that he didn’t live up to his name and that he needs to be restored in order to be the “rock” the spiritual leader that Jesus wants him to be.
Read John 21:18-19; Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”
What is Jesus telling Peter in these verses?
Jesus is predicting how Peter would die. There is a late tradition teaching that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome by Nero (A.D. 68), but there is some question on this since it is not recorded until the fourth century. We do know that the man who once denied Jesus three times did glorify God with his life once he got filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. From that day on he was a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Note: Think about this, the person that once denied Jesus three times would be martyred because of his love for Jesus. This shows how God can use people that once failed Him for His purpose beyond anything they can imagine. That can only happen when the person “surrenders” totally to the Lord.
Read John 21:20-22; Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
What is Jesus trying to teach Peter in these verses?
The Lord rebuked Peter for being distracted over John’s future. Jesus was teaching Peter that his only responsibility was to follow Him. Jesus was teaching Peter and all of us that our top priority should be to follow and obey His commandments. We need to keep our heart and eyes fixed on doing God’s will. This is how we show our love for Jesus, by obedience (See John 15:10).
-Read John 21:23-25; Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.
What comments or questions do you have on these verses?
To me it shows that the gospels were not intended to be complete accounts of the life of Christ. God inspired by the Holy Spirit what He wanted to be written to accomplish His purposes and plans.
Recap: My goal in this study of Peter is to show how even when we fail (let down) God it doesn’t mean we are doomed to eternity in hell. Like Peter, we still have the opportunity to be restored (reconciled) back to God and to be used by Him to accomplish His will.
Peter didn’t allow his failures (poor decisions) to determine his future and eternal destiny. We can see from Peter’s life that he did learn from his failures (denying Jesus three times). Acts tells us that Peter became the spiritual leader that God wanted him to be. I believe this change in Peter’s life only happened because he surrendered his will to God’s will. Peter allowed God through the power of the Holy Spirit to change him from the inside out. Peter allowed God to change him from a coward to be a bold witness, a mighty man of God, the spiritual leader that God had pre-destined him to be.
This life change in Peter happened when he had his “spiritual rebirth-born again” experience. When Peter surrendered his will to God’s will and became “obedient” to God, his life changed forever. He was no longer the man that denied Jesus three times. He became a bold witness for Jesus Christ, and eventually he proved his love and loyalty for Jesus by being martyred.
Closing thought: No matter our failures or the bad things we have done in our lives; we like Peter can have a second chance in life. But, like Peter we all have a decision to make. We can be like Peter and repent and surrender ourselves to the Lord and be changed forever and live God’s way. This is to live a life that honors and pleases God. Or, we can reject God’s offer of forgiveness and salvation and live life our way which will lead to eternity in hell.
The decision is ours to make in life before we die. We can either accept or reject Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
How do you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?
Below is a sample prayer that you can use as a guideline. If you decide to pray this the prayer, it must come from your heart. You must mean what you pray or nothing will change. It’s not the prayer that saves; it’s the sincerity of whether or not you really mean it in your heart when you pray.
-Pray something like this:
Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of the Living God and that you died on the cross that I may now have forgiveness of my sins and receive eternal life. Please forgive me for every sin I have committed or done in my heart and come into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. Today I surrender myself to you.
Once you have asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior your life should never be the same. You need to purpose daily to grow in your relationship with the Lord by reading your bible and praying. You need to get plugged into a Christ based church that teaches the biblical way of salvation and get water baptized.
-We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding salvation. We are also here to pray for any needs that you may have.
-You can contact Kevin & Jocelyn at - Second in line Ministries – 218-428-3087.
Icebreaker: Have you ever said something without thinking that later you wish you could take back? What was the outcome of what you said? Did you learn anything from that experience?
Introduction: In this study we will look at some key events in the life of Peter. First, we will look at Jesus predicting Peter’s denial of Jesus. Then we will look at Peter’s denial of Jesus. Lastly, we will go to John chapter 21 and study the restoration of Peter by Jesus. I feel we need to understand these key events in order to get a better understanding of their importance and how they impacted the early church.
Jesus’ Predicts Peter’s denial:
Read Matthew 26:31-35; Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.
What significant things does Jesus say in verses 31 & 32?
Jesus is telling the disciples in advance that all of them will desert/abandon Him when He gets arrested in the garden of Gethsemane. This would fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7 which was given five hundred years before Jesus was born. In verse 32 Jesus tells them that after He has risen from the dead He will go to Galilee and meet them there. The angel repeated Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene and the other women in Matthew 28:7.
In verse 33 how does Peter respond to what Jesus said?
I believe Peter’s heart is in the right place when he says that he would never desert Jesus even if all the others deserted Jesus. I believe Peter meant what he said.
In verse 34 how does Jesus respond to Peter?
Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows he will deny Jesus three times.
In verse 35 how do Peter and the other disciples respond to Jesus?
I could imagine that Peter was shocked and stunned when Jesus told him he would deny Him three times. But, I don’t think Peter took the time to really process and think about what would come out of his mouth next. In verse 35 Peter says to Jesus; “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” I really believe Peter loved Jesus when he said this. But, his actions would prove that his love for Jesus wasn’t as “deep” as he thought.
Note: I know I can relate with Peter. There have been too many times I have said something before I really thought about what I was saying. This is a great example of why we need to be careful of what we say.
Note: Verse 35 tells us that all of the disciples said the same thing as Peter. But, we don’t remember what they said.
Peter’s denial: Read Matthew 26:69-75; Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
What comments or questions do you have on Peter’s three denials?
Peter’s three denials occur during the trial proceedings. The first denial (verses 69-70) is prompted by a servant girl. In his denial Peter claims ignorance when he says; “I do not know what you are talking about.”
-Second denial: Then feeling the pressure from the above encounter, Peter moves out of the gateway, but, another servant-girl confronts him saying; “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” In his second denial (verse 72) Peter says in an oath that he didn’t know Jesus. (Reference Matthew 5:34 where Jesus warned against oath taking).
-The third denial comes when people tell Peter that he was one of Jesus’ disciples because his speech made it evident he was a Galilean. In this denial Peter begins to curse and swear (verse 74) saying; “I do not know the man!” As soon as Peter said these words the rooster crowed. Verse 75 tells us that when the rooster crowed, Peter remembered that Jesus foretold his three denials. Then the verse says Peter left the area and wept bitterly.
Key takeaway: This is a great teaching of why it is important we monitor everything we say. There are some words that we can never take back. I am positive at this point Peter was sorry that he made a profession of commitment to Jesus that he didn’t keep.
Note: Did you notice that in each denial Peter became more emphatic? He didn’t learn from the previous denial, he kept making the problem worse.
Before we read about Peter’s restoration lets look at Matthew to get a better understanding of Peter’s relationship with Jesus.
Read Matthew 16:13-20; Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.
Why did Jesus ask the disciples who the Son of Man is?
I believe Jesus was asking this question to see if the disciples understood the true deity of the Son of Man (Jesus). Jesus wanted to know if any of them knew that He was the Christ, the Son of God. In verse 16 Peter shows that he knows that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
What is the significance of what Jesus says to Peter? See verses 17-19.
Note: In verse 17 Jesus tells us that Peter had spiritual insight to know His deity as the Son of God.
Note on verse 18: The name Peter (Greek-Petros) means “rock” or “rock-man”. In verse 18 Jesus says to Peter; “and upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” In this phrase Christ used petra (upon this rock), a feminine form for “rock”, not a name. There are scholars who believe Jesus used a play on words. He does not say “upon you, Peter” or “upon your successors,” but “upon this rock”-upon this divine revelation and profession of faith in Christ. I will build shows that the formation of the church was still in the future. It began on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). I believe these verses are teaching that Jesus Himself is the Rock (petra) upon which the church is built. -The church is built out of those stones that partake the nature of the petra by their confession of faith in Him (see 1 Peter 2:2-4). Peter therefore is the first of many building stones in the church.
-The expression “gates of Hades” means “the power of death” cannot prevent the advance of the kingdom, nor claim victory over those who belong to God.
Note: The word “church” is a translation of “ekklesia”, meaning “called out” or “assembly.” In the New Testament usually refers to a local group of Christians. In this sense a church is an assembly of baptized believers under the discipline of the Word of God. They are to carry out the Great Commission and the administration of New Testament ordinances.
Note on verse 19: In this verse the Lord promises to Peter and the other apostles the keys of the kingdom. This means that Peter will have the right to enter the kingdom himself, and preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all people. The door was opened to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and for the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10).
-The expression “bind and loose” were common in Jewish legal phraseology, meaning to declare forbidden or to declare allowed. Peter and the other disciples were to continue on earth the work of Christ in preaching the gospel and declaring God’s will to men, and were armed with the same authority He Himself possessed. The book of Acts depicts this-the Great Commission in action.
Peter’s restoration: Before we get to Peter’s restoration we need to look at what happens in the first part of John chapter 21. The chapter starts with Simon Peter and six other disciples in Galilee. They had been fishing all night and they had caught nothing. At daybreak Jesus calls from shore and asks if they have any fish. They respond saying they have not caught anything. They don’t know that it is Jesus who is talking to them. In verse six Jesus tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat and they will find a catch. They cast the net on the right side of the boat and end up catching 153 large fish. Despite the large catch the net didn’t rip. Then Jesus invites them to have breakfast with Him. By this time they all have figured it out that it was Jesus who was with them. Jesus used these miracles to prove to the disciples that it was really Him and to show them a picture of how they would be bringing souls of men into the kingdom (fishers of men).
Read John 21:15-17; So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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, “Tend My sheep."
Why do you think Jesus asked Peter these questions?
Jesus asked Peter these questions in front of the other six disciples. In Matthew 26:35 Peter said even if it meant his death he would not deny Jesus. Peter made this profession of his loyalty to Jesus in front of the other disciples. By now they were all aware of the fact that Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now Jesus wants the other disciples to witness and understand Peter’s restoration. That is why Jesus had Peter publicly profess his love for Jesus three times in front of the other disciples. This was the restoration process needed to reinstate Peter as the spiritual leader of Jesus’ church.
We will look at each question that Jesus asks Peter. What comments or questions do you have on what Jesus asks and says?
Note: We have to look at the Greek meaning of the word “love” and the way Jesus used it to fully understand what Jesus was saying to Peter in these verses. Phileo means: to be fond of, care for, have personal attachment for. Agape love: means unconditional love.
-In His three questions, Jesus wanted Peter to respond with “agape” love. Because in his denial Peter responded with “phileo” love.
-I believe this time, Peter thought before he answered each of Jesus’ questions professing his faith. This is evidenced in verse 17 where it tells us Peter was grieved because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him.
Note: When Jesus tells Peter to “tend My lambs”(verse 15), tend my sheep(verse 17) I believe it is talking about care over the sheep(people). In verse 16 Jesus says; “Shepherd My sheep” I believe Jesus is telling me to teach and watch over the sheep/people.
What is the significance that Jesus addresses Peter as Simon, son of John?
I believe Jesus uses his old name Simon three times, not Peter (rock) his new spiritual name due to the fact that he denied Jesus three times. I believe Jesus is showing Peter that he didn’t live up to his name and that he needs to be restored in order to be the “rock” the spiritual leader that Jesus wants him to be.
Read John 21:18-19; Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”
What is Jesus telling Peter in these verses?
Jesus is predicting how Peter would die. There is a late tradition teaching that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome by Nero (A.D. 68), but there is some question on this since it is not recorded until the fourth century. We do know that the man who once denied Jesus three times did glorify God with his life once he got filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. From that day on he was a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Note: Think about this, the person that once denied Jesus three times would be martyred because of his love for Jesus. This shows how God can use people that once failed Him for His purpose beyond anything they can imagine. That can only happen when the person “surrenders” totally to the Lord.
Read John 21:20-22; Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”
What is Jesus trying to teach Peter in these verses?
The Lord rebuked Peter for being distracted over John’s future. Jesus was teaching Peter that his only responsibility was to follow Him. Jesus was teaching Peter and all of us that our top priority should be to follow and obey His commandments. We need to keep our heart and eyes fixed on doing God’s will. This is how we show our love for Jesus, by obedience (See John 15:10).
-Read John 21:23-25; Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.
What comments or questions do you have on these verses?
To me it shows that the gospels were not intended to be complete accounts of the life of Christ. God inspired by the Holy Spirit what He wanted to be written to accomplish His purposes and plans.
Recap: My goal in this study of Peter is to show how even when we fail (let down) God it doesn’t mean we are doomed to eternity in hell. Like Peter, we still have the opportunity to be restored (reconciled) back to God and to be used by Him to accomplish His will.
Peter didn’t allow his failures (poor decisions) to determine his future and eternal destiny. We can see from Peter’s life that he did learn from his failures (denying Jesus three times). Acts tells us that Peter became the spiritual leader that God wanted him to be. I believe this change in Peter’s life only happened because he surrendered his will to God’s will. Peter allowed God through the power of the Holy Spirit to change him from the inside out. Peter allowed God to change him from a coward to be a bold witness, a mighty man of God, the spiritual leader that God had pre-destined him to be.
This life change in Peter happened when he had his “spiritual rebirth-born again” experience. When Peter surrendered his will to God’s will and became “obedient” to God, his life changed forever. He was no longer the man that denied Jesus three times. He became a bold witness for Jesus Christ, and eventually he proved his love and loyalty for Jesus by being martyred.
Closing thought: No matter our failures or the bad things we have done in our lives; we like Peter can have a second chance in life. But, like Peter we all have a decision to make. We can be like Peter and repent and surrender ourselves to the Lord and be changed forever and live God’s way. This is to live a life that honors and pleases God. Or, we can reject God’s offer of forgiveness and salvation and live life our way which will lead to eternity in hell.
The decision is ours to make in life before we die. We can either accept or reject Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
How do you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior?
Below is a sample prayer that you can use as a guideline. If you decide to pray this the prayer, it must come from your heart. You must mean what you pray or nothing will change. It’s not the prayer that saves; it’s the sincerity of whether or not you really mean it in your heart when you pray.
-Pray something like this:
Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of the Living God and that you died on the cross that I may now have forgiveness of my sins and receive eternal life. Please forgive me for every sin I have committed or done in my heart and come into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. Today I surrender myself to you.
Once you have asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior your life should never be the same. You need to purpose daily to grow in your relationship with the Lord by reading your bible and praying. You need to get plugged into a Christ based church that teaches the biblical way of salvation and get water baptized.
-We are available to answer any questions you may have regarding salvation. We are also here to pray for any needs that you may have.
-You can contact Kevin & Jocelyn at - Second in line Ministries – 218-428-3087.
