John 21:15-19 Do You Really Love Me?
John 21:15-19 Do You Really Love Me?
When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs. Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go. He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!
Oh, what a merciful God I serve. I serve a God Who would take a sinner who has denied Him three times publicly and give him three more chances to publicly profess his love! I can't get over the fact that Jesus was both firm in His speech to Peter as well as loving. Jesus showed love, mercy and forgiveness while at the same time confirming the commitment that He requires to be a follower of His.
I know that many times of reading this, I came up empty as to it full meaning. The Spirit has since given me deep conviction about how the end of this passage is where the true power of our relationship with Christ exists. It is not the grace and love that He desires us to understand... It is the full surrender and commitment! See, I was content to understand the three denials and then the see wonderful grace and forgiveness that God provides to Peter in the form of the three chances to express his live to Jesus. I conveniently never took the time to understand what the meaning was behind the "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go. He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!"
Jesus was seeking that true confession, surrender and commitment from Peter. Just as an old man holds out his arms to the side and is led where he does not desire to go... Peter, too, was to be stretched out with supported under his arms (so that his body made the shape of a "T"). Jesus said this to indicate the type of death that Peter would have to endure to show that he was fully committed to "Follow" Him! Peter was ultimately stretched out and let to the cross to die as a fully committed follower of Christ. He was faithful even to death. That just hits me so hard! Would I really be willing to give u everything for my faith in Jesus Christ? Would I really be willing to give up a life with mu beautiful wife and six children It brings me go tears just considering the possibility that He might ask me to do that!
Yet, I am called to be His "witness"... The Greek word Martyr! Does He not ask everyone of us to make more than just a mouth profession? I know that He very clearly asked me in January of 2003... "Do you love me, Kurt?" (Now, I really am crying!) he called me to go beyond just an understanding of His love, grace and forgiveness!!! he wanted commitment and surrender... Full capitulation! My full dependence resulted on my full independence! (Happy Fourth of July, btw, Kurt).
Peter did ultimately die on the cross. Foxes Book of Martyrs records Peter's death with the following notation. "Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was." Peter actually refused to be crucified the same way that Jesus was... He insisted that if he were to die, that he be hung upside down because he was unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ was. He actually tried to flee Nero because the believers begged him to run from death, and he was met outside the gates of the city by a vision of Christ. Upon seeing the vision of Christ, Peter turned back to the city and submitted to death on the cross - upside down. Once again... I am challenged by the commitment that Peter exhibited. Would I have that kind of commitment? Isn't that what Jesus is asking? That I die to myself? That I commit and submit to Him... I'm sure of it! It's more than just a mouth commitment!
The Gospel at every turn becomes four things to me. To understand the Gospel, you must understand Love and Grace (Jesus as Savior) as well as Surrender/Repentance and Commitment (Jesus as Lord!). I see that this passage has it all...
I can almost audibly hear the Spirit saying... "Do you love Me, Kurt?" "Do you really, love Me?" "Follow Me... Die to your self, take up your cross and Follow Me!" "Do you really love Me?"
"Heavenly Father, my prayer today is simple... Give me... No, anoint me to do Your work well... To feed Your sheep! Spirit, walk beside me and give me the strength of commitment to 'Follow You' even to death! I approach the throne only through the precious name of Jesus Christ, the Shepherd Redeemer, Amen!"
Created 11 months ago
