EASTER LOVE Restorative Love John 21:15-25

What’s my line?

Restorer

“So God created man in his own image …” Genesis 1:27 Restoring the image “So God created man in his own image …” Genesis 1:27

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah … “You are Peter - and on this rock I will build my church …” (Matthew 16:17,18)

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah … Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23 “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah … “You are Peter - and on this rock I will build my church …” (Matthew 16:17,18)

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother? Up to 7 times?” “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

“Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you!” “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet!” “I will lay down my life for you!” Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. “Put your sword away!” said Jesus.

x 3 “I don’t know the man!”

‘Then he went away and hanged himself.’ ‘He went outside … and wept bitterly’

The Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” IMAGE RESTORER The Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Restorative love …. The Lord loves us as we are - but He loves us too much to leave us as we are Restorative love ….

1 “Simon, son of John, do you truly love* me more than these?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love∞ you.” “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15 * agape ∞ phile

2 “Simon, son of John, do you truly love* me?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I love∞ you.” “Take care of my sheep.” John 21:16 * agape ∞ phile

3 “Feed my sheep.” “Simon, son of John, do you love* me?” “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love∞ you.” “Feed my sheep.” * phile ∞ phile John 21:17-19

WHAT’S TO LEARN … The evidence - 1 Hanging yourself is not the only option 2 Repentance & forgiveness are infinitely better 3 Jesus does not belittle the sin 4 He confronts it with restorative love 5 He does not ask for unrealistic assurances 6 He simply asks for human love 7 He offers his divine love first 8 Real repentance shows! 9 Real forgiveness trusts! (- which comes first?) 10 The original image is slowly restored …. The evidence -

The first letter of Peter The extraordinary life of Peter

The restorative love of Jesus - for Peter