Fishermen become Shepherds “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

Hillside Vision Series begins next week …

John 21:15-19 “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”

He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Encounter 1: Jesus directed Peter, James and John to let down their nets one last time after an unsuccessful night of fishing. They obliged and the nets miraculously filled with fish. Peter’s response was to fall at Christ’s feet, declaring “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”. Christ then called the three men to follow Him. Encounter 2: After another night of unsuccessful fishing, Jesus called out to the disciples, instructing them to fish on the other side of the boat. They did and again, their nets are miraculously filled. Peter’s response was to run to Jesus. Christ had a conversation with Peter, ending with a call to follow Him. What differences you see? Note Peter’s behaviour.

Peter’s recognition of his sinfulness and a resulting repentance is the difference. Jesus is using this encounter to do at least three things: to bring Peter to a place of repentance to clarify His call on Peter’s life to empower him for future ministry

A Place of Repentance Do you love me? Notice that the question is not “why did you deny me”, but “do you love me”. Love of Jesus is at the root of Peter’s denial. Jesus is asking whether Peter’s love for Him outstrips his desire for anything else. Each time Jesus questions Peter’s love, he responds that he loves Jesus and Jesus responds with a shepherding command. What is Peter’s profession? What does a fisherman know about shepherding, anyhow?

The Call He does this to clarify Peter’s call: recall the Good Shepherd teaching … On the evening of Christ’s betrayal, Peter fails to live out his call. Christ’s kingdom is not scored on a failure/success continuum; it is a process of ongoing development and discipleship that fuels the Kingdom of God; it is an ever expanding, ever deepening love of God that acts as our benchmark in His Kingdom. When we allow anything else to encroach upon our love of God, we place ourselves in a precarious position.

The pivotal point is to recognize that no amount of mustering of courage and no restatement of loyalty will enable Peter to fulfill his call. It is his love of Jesus that will ensure his continued faithfulness and his continued adherence to his call. Our continued discipleship is rooted in our ongoing love of God.

Ministry Empowerment Peter had long showed us through his interactions with Jesus in the Scriptures, a tendency to act impulsively in his response to Jesus. It is almost as if Peter believed he could do it on his own steam. To put it simply, we are empowered for ministry when we recognize our inability to fulfill his call on our lives on our own, when we then throw ourselves at the mercy of Jesus and ask that he fill us by His Holy Spirit to assist us in fulfilling His call. It is precisely our weakness that makes us dangerous in God’s Kingdom.

Are you motivated by your love of God? Scripture tell us: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13-15) We are surrounded by those who need to call upon the name of the Lord, but it is unlikely that they will unless we recognize our sent- ness to them. Have you heard Jesus this morning prompt your heart with this question: Do you love me?