John 21 v 15-15

If we were to go back into Matthew 22, Jesus has again astonished the crowds with His teaching, and this prompted an expert in the law to ask Him, "which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus' reply, was no-doubt the same huge challenge for this man, as it is for us today. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your hearts and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments."

The love Jesus is speaking of here is what the Greeks defined in their different interpretations of the word love, as Agape love. Seen perfectly in God's love for us. A love that's unconditional, that doesn't expect anything in return. It's love that's not rooted in affection, neither is it the sort of cold religious love that many think characterises God. Agape love is truly altruistic, its seen perfectly in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, where for His love for you and me, as unworthy of God’s love as we are, Jesus chose to step into our place, and take the punishment we deserve for sinning against God.

But there's also another definition in the N T Greek for love, and that's Philia. A love between friends, a strong bond between two people who perhaps share common values, interests and activities. It's a word for love commonly found throughout the NT.

And these two words Agape, and Philia play a key part in Jesus reinstating Peter. Firstly; and as it is for each of us when we sin against God, we need His forgiveness, in Peters case from the three times he denied ever knowing Jesus. Then having been forgiven, Peter, like us, is called to live a Holy life. Heb 12 v 14 "Without holiness, no-one will see the Lord."

The great challenge Jesus gave to Peter, and now to us, is to feed, tend and care for Christ's Church, just as Jesus the head shepherd faithfully cared for His flock, leading them, teaching them and caring for them. Now Peter is to take on that responsibility.

The responsibility to shepherd Christ's sheep didn't end when Peter was martyred for his faith, it's to be picked up by each of us, but as with Peter, our discipleship, our commitment to Christ, is determined by how we love Him, gauged by what Jesus says to us in Mark 8.

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me."

I believe there's three things that we see in John 21 v 15-25, that are there in Mark 8. Denying self. In other words the cost of discipleship in feeding and caring for Christ's sheep. Taking up our cross. As Peter literally did, being led to where he didn't want to go. So; like Him we may find ourselves being led where we don't want to go, but in submission to Christ's will, are we prepared to glorify God in whatever way He calls us to do. Then thirdly; following Jesus. Surely means us following on by doing all that Jesus did, something that's only possible when we submit ourselves wholeheartedly to Him. Look firstly at v 15-17.

Jesus reinstates Peter

We saw last week how when Peter and the rest of the disciples came ashore from their unscheduled fishing trip, there was a charcoal fire burning, the smell of the fire something that no-doubt prompted Peter to think back to that fateful night when Jesus was arrested, when Peter had denied ever knowing Jesus.

V 15 "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" The more than these, probably refers to the other disciples, because here's Peter, who'd once boldly claimed "that even if all the others deserted Jesus, he wouldn't, that he was prepared to die with Jesus." And I believe Peter's contrition, his unworthiness before the Lord is seen in the answers he gives to Jesus' questions. "Do you love me?"

Theologian John MacArthur suggests, as do others, that Peter may have been reluctant in his heart before the Lord to claim absolute supreme devotion to Christ, Agape love, as he'd publicly denied Jesus, and as he reflected on his life before, he knew it didn't fully support the claims he'd made before the Lord of supreme devotion to Him.

Three years before, when Peter came to Jesus, Jesus looked at him and said. "You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas." Peter, which in Aramaic meant ROCK. But notice here, Jesus goes back to using Peter's family name Simon, the name he was known by before coming to Christ, before leaving everything to follow Jesus. The word for love Jesus uses here, is Agape. In other words Jesus is challenging Peter. Did he possess in his heart, the same unconditional love that Jesus had for him, the same love He has for us today. A love that was prepared to forsake self, and lay down his life for us.

In Jesus' famous I AM quotes, He said, "I Am the Good Shepherd," and when we go back into John 10, we see just why Jesus asked Peter if he possessed Agape love for Him, because that would be seen in his love for others.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away."

The question for Peter, is the same question for each of us, me included to reflect on today. How much do we love Jesus? Enough to really feed, tend and care for Christ's sheep; with that same Love he has for us. The task may be difficult and challenging, but we belong to Christ, we're not like an unloving hired hand, who runs away when trouble comes, but we're to be prepared to stand, in Christ's strength, against whatever Satan might throw at us.

"Feed my lambs." We get the idea here when Jesus is talking about lambs, that youngsters may have been in His mind. Or; perhaps, New Christians. Although God has brought about a work of regeneration in their lives, they're still young in their faith, and need nurturing.

So; how are we, as the Church, in this secular society of ours looking to feed our lambs today? Or; for that matter nurturing young Christians, who're eager to learn. How are we ensuring their lives are becoming rooted in Christ and in no other?

Again; using the same Agape term for love, Jesus asks Peter a second time. "Simon Son of John, do you love me?" Peter's response, "Yes Lord you know that I love you." This time Peter's call is to tend, or, take care of Christ's sheep.

Matthew 16 v 18. Peter was the one Jesus said He would build His church on. He's being called here by Jesus to be totally devoted to the task of being Christ's under shepherd in tending the flock. Like us, Peter could only do that if he was totally committed to serving Christ, and doing His will. And what Jesus required of Peter, He now requires of each of us today.

Three times Peter denied knowing Christ, now Jesus asks him a third time, "Do you love me." This time He uses the word Philia, a word that signified something less than total devotion. Even bringing into question the level of love Peter thought he was safe in claiming before Jesus. But again with it comes the same command. "Feed my sheep."

John records that Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. I'm sure Peter probably felt Jesus had made His point challenging his commitment to Christ, and each time Peter's answered "you know that I love you."

Like the different word's used by Jesus and Peter for love in these verses. So there are also different words in the Greek in Peter's response, the word KNOW. "You know that I love you," John reminds us early on in this gospel that Jesus does indeed know the hearts of all men. Peter's, as well as each of ours today.

We know that around that fire, Peter found forgiveness from Jesus, but to help Him stand firm in the future, Jesus challenged him three times to examine his heart.

Something Jesus may well be doing in us. Challenging, just how much we love Jesus ourselves today? Are we prepared to love Him more than v 15, whatever the "these," might have been for Peter, in order to properly feed, care and tend God’s sheep, the church? For Peter, huge challenges lay ahead, especially the challenge of knowing that after he'd served Christ, like the Lord Jesus, he would martyred. Read v 18-19.

Laying down our lives for Christ

From the moment God chose us out of the world to belong to Him. His call on us has been for us to love Him. Expressed in faithfully serving Him in the world in any way He chooses for us to serve. For some, they may be called to evangelism, either here or overseas. For others, after years of study to become doctors or surgeons, instead of them earning huge salaries, being prepared to serve in organisations like Leprosy Mission, or other Christian medical charities.

But like Peter, that means us truly Loving Christ, with a single minded love that puts His interests first, and not ours. The way of the cross challenges us each day to submit our lives to Him, being prepared to lay down our lives for Him, if in doing so that brings glory to His name. Around 60 AD there was a fire in Rome. The Emperor Nero was convinced Christians were responsible, and many were rounded up and martyred by the Roman authorities. Church history put Peter among the Martyrs.

For many of our brothers and sisters around the world, they may see each day as being their last, and I'm sure if that were us, it would cause us to examine our hearts much more closely, and learn to put our trust firmly in the risen Lord. The one whose overcome death, and now reigns in glory for ever. Psalm 118, we read these words. "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

Finally; and briefly, Like Peter, we're each called to follow Jesus. Look at v 20-25. Again in what Jesus says here regarding John. Jesus is challenging Peter, that His plan for Peter is to feed, take care of and tend the flock. Not be concerned what Jesus would require of John, which as we know would be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to write down this gospel, but also record the revelation Jesus gave him whilst he was a prisoner for Christ.

We're each called to follow Christ faithfully today and to serve Him as He calls us to serve. But what's clear from this passage, is that, like Peter, if we know we stand guilty before Christ of sinning against Him, then we're to come to the cross in humility, that our sins may be forgiven, and we be made right before the Lord. Peter stood forgiven, reinstated before the Lord, just as I pray each of us are today.

But the challenge for Peter, and for us is as reinstated believers, is; does our love for Christ reflect our being forgiven? Does it go beyond Philia love, a love that shows less devotion to Christ than He demands of us. Or can we claim to possess Agape love. A love that is clearly evident in that we reflect Christ's wholehearted love for those around us. Secondly; like Peter, is our love for Jesus prepared, if called to, to lay down our lives for Him, so that through us, He may be glorified. Lastly; like Peter, are we prepared to follow Jesus with the same single minded commitment to serve Him, that He had for us when he set His face to Jerusalem, and the cross, that we might be forgiven.

Only in the quietness of our hearts can we answer these extremely challenging questions, but as God's people, we're each called to serve Him. Then like Peter, they're questions we need to ask of ourselves today. Amen.

Reading John 21 v 1-14

I don't think I'm stating the obvious this morning in saying that in the main, Churches are probably not as well attended as they once were. With or without the current Pandemic, I'm sure we could come up with many reasons why that would be the case today. Before the lockdown there was an Ad on the TV for a travel company, featuring a family on holiday in Greece visiting an orthodox Church. The kids were being kids, which prompted Mum to say, "Shush, we're in God's house." The reply came, "Who's God?"

Whilst we might tut at that, I believe it's a response that's becoming more and more evident in our liberal thinking society that's systematically allowing the truth of the gospel to become marginalised. Where, once men and women, if not born again of the spirit of God, had a certain knowledge of a sovereign creator God, and to that end, they held a degree of reverence for Him. Whereas the response from many today is, "Who's God?"

My concern as a Christian Pastor, is that we as the Church, especially in the western world, are failing to uphold Jesus' command. "To go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I commanded you. And surely I am with you always."

Something that if you were with us last week when we looked at John 20, when Jesus breathed His Spirit into the disciples, in preparation for Pentecost, it signalled the beginning of their ministry. So today, what we see in John 21, is Jesus again appearing to the disciples, this time in Galilee, and preparing them further for the mission of taking the gospel out into the world. The power of the gospel that Paul reminds us when it's proclaimed and received brings Salvation to all who believe. So for us today, the baton of proclaiming the gospel has been handed on to us.

Turn with me to today's text from John 21 v 1-14. Because Jesus has a few things to teach us here that will help prepare us for the task of proclaiming the gospel. Firstly; look at v 1-8.

God doesn't want us to labour in vain.

Obviously we don't know the full chronology of the events from the resurrection on that first Easter Morning, to Jesus' ascension 40 days later, but John tells us v 14, this was the third time Jesus had appeared to His disciples. No longer are they in Jerusalem, now they're back in Galilee, where for many of these men they're calling to serve Jesus began.

If we weren't in a lockdown, I'm sure in the normal hurly burly of life today we could make a good case for getting away to a quiet place for some R & R, and maybe this was Jesus plan for these seven disciples. But in truth we don't know.

But it wasn't so long ago Jesus had said to the disciples "as the Father has sent me, I'm sending you." I'm sure it wasn't sending them back to being fishermen? Although Luke 5, Jesus did say they would be "fishers of men." But notice here, it's Peter, the natural leader, he's the one who suggests they go fishing v 3. "But that night," John says, "they caught nothing."

It's been my experience as a Christian, that we can fall into the trap of labouring and toiling in the church, working hard with all integrity: but, like these fishermen all our efforts seem in vain, there's little or no visible result, and we become demoralised, tired. Which of course is just what the devil wants. So what's the solution, is there a solution? Look at v 4-6.

Now I'm not a fisherman as these guys were, who made their living from fishing. So imagine you've been out all night, caught nothing, then out of the early morning gloom, someone shouts, "throw your net on the right side of the boat and you'll find some." I'm sure as a professional, your first thought would be. "Who does he think he is to tell me what to do. " Well what's that other than our PRIDE getting in the way of taking advice that's been offered. And this is where I believe as Christians many of us come unstuck in trying to serve the Lord. Our pride gets in the way of our obedience to what Jesus is saying to us through His word. Proverbs 11 v 2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, with humility comes wisdom."

Maybe, three years of being with Jesus had rubbed off on these men, and they've wised up, because there's no suggestion of them debating with Jesus as they'd done before. Now; in complete humility and obedience, they cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and what a catch, 153 whoppers!

Today, we have an amazing amount of resources to help us proclaim the gospel, but without coming in humility to the Lord, and listening to Him, being obedient to what he says, then all the resources in the world won't make us effective evangelists.

The first call on us as God's people, as we saw last week, is Jesus' challenge "that if anyone come after Him, they must take up their cross daily." That means, us being prepared to surrender our all to Jesus, especially our stubborn hearts and wills, that are governed by pride. Surrendering them to God so that He can bring them in line with His will for us. Because God doesn’' want us to labour in vain and wear ourselves out and achieve very little.

Secondly; v 9-11. We're to be partners with Jesus in ministry.

John 15, in that great passage of the vine, where Jesus tells us this, "Apart, from me, you can do nothing." In other words, if Jesus isn't the one guiding and helping us, our work will be in vain.

John tells us here that the figure on the shore in the early light of dawn was none other than the Lord Himself which prompted Peter to wrap his outer garment round himself and jump into the water.

Well although we might argue the point, in truth, as Almighty God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, Jesus doesn't need us to fulfil the great commission, but He chooses to use us.

But I wonder how often we get ourselves into the mind-set of thinking the onus is on us. That we're God's arms and legs in the world today, which to some extent we are! But who's taking the initiative? Us, or God? If it's us, then our Pride is likely to get in the way of God working through us, and us failing to see Him being at work. Look at v 9. I'm sure cynics today would come up with answers to where the bread and fish came from, and the charcoal to cook the fish on. But; we need to remember, this is the same God we know from the scriptures, who fed His nation during their wanderings in the desert with Manna and Quail.

Then later, Jesus pointing to who He is, fed over 5k people with two small fish, and five barley loaves. Now on the shore, cooking breakfast, was this same God, who has full authority over all things, and over all men. The Apostle Paul says this of Jesus in a letter to the Colossians.

"For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him, and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

This is the same Lord, who in humility, demonstrated the full extent of His love for us on that first Good Friday, when He willingly went to the cross for us. In perfect obedience He surrendered His will to the Father, and put His trust in God.

The question for us today is this. Have we surrendered our will to the same Lord Jesus today, and in doing so put our trust in Him? Are we demonstrating lives that reveal the same level of humility and obedience that Jesus showed throughout His earthly life?

So; in the early dawn Jesus' disciples were not only physically fed by Almighty God, but we're taught valuable lessons, of the necessity for them, and us, to submit ALL to Jesus. Something, that they would need to put into practice, if they were going out as sheep among wolves with the gospel.

But one last thing this morning. Like Peter, we sometimes let Jesus down, and are guilty of sinning against Him. I believe this breakfast was the beginning of Jesus bringing both healing and restoration to Peter. Look at v 10-14.

Come and have breakfast.

When Jesus asked the disciples to bring some of the fish they'd just caught, who went back to the boat to drag this large catch of fish ashore? It was Peter. When John said "it's the Lord," Peter was over the side of the boat in a flash. But we're not told that he actually came to Jesus, only that in reverence he put on his outer garment and jumped into the water. I guess like us, when we let Jesus down, then like Peter, we would love to be able to put the clock back, but we can't. John 13, Peter said, "I will lay down my life for you." Then in John 18, rather than laying down his life, he denied ever knowing Jesus, not just once, but three times.

I know from experience that the process of being healed from sin is painful, because for God to bring about His forgiveness, we need to be confronted with our sins. Much as King David was, when Nathan came and revealed David's adultery with Bathsheba.

Jesus invites his friends here, including Peter, to come and have breakfast. The invitation is to come. However much that may smack at our pride. But coming to Jesus is the only way we will find peace, and forgiveness when, like Peter, we're guilty of letting Jesus down.

I've found that certain places, even events, and smells, can trigger a memory. Sometimes what comes to mind has been a time when we've let God down. Peter was warming himself around a charcoal fire on the night he betrayed Jesus. Now, here's that same smell, and no-doubt its brought that fateful night back into his mind. But; such is God's love for us, that He wants to deal with our sins and failings, casting them into the sea of His forgetfulness, as Micah 7 tells us.

Through the scriptures the whole world knows that the one Jesus called the "rock in which He would build his church," stood guilty of denying ever knowing Christ. Well let's thank God, that unless our failings reach other peoples ears, then they remain between us and God. And we can take comfort from that. Because were reminded in the letter to the Hebrews that Jesus, as our great High Priest, can empathise with all our weaknesses, and all our failings. Because He knows what it's like to be tempted in every way, but without ever being guilty of sin. We know from the scriptures, that Peter did indeed become the rock on which Jesus built His Church. You and I are living proof of that.

But for Peter, and the rest of the disciples, like us, they needed to learn that God doesn't want us to labour in vain. But to listen for His guidance. When we do, then the skies the limit, the catch, as we see here, enormous! Working alongside Jesus as partners with Him, being prepared to take up our cross, to demonstrate the same humility He displayed, and by His spirit allowing Him to guide us as to where, and who we're to take the gospel to, I believe will yield a harvest. But because our Pride so often gets in the way, we fail God. Then in humility, we need to take Jesus up on His invitation to come to Him. To the only one who can set us free from sin through His death on the cross, and restore us to being the people He wants us to be. People ready to pick up the baton and fulfil God's call on us, to GO, and make disciples. Amen.