AUGUST 18, 2019
CHRIST’S DISCOURSE WITH PETER
INTRODUCTION:
1. Here we have Christ’s third appearance to His disciples (as a group) after His resurrection. (Verse 14) His first such appearance was on the day of the resurrection with ten of the disciples being present (Ch. 20:19-24); the second was the next Lord’s Day when all of the eleven were present (Ch. 20:26); the third is this appearance to seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This was a very meaningful appearance. (Verses 1-14)
a) As these seven men were bringing their fishing boat to shore, all weary after a long night of fruitless labor, Jesus called out to them.
b) The disciples did not yet recognize their Master, and yet by heeding His instruction, they cast their net on the right side of the boat filling it with a huge draught of fish.
c) Once He was known to them they came to Him finding that He had made provisions for them. He had a fire ready to warm them and broiled fish and bread to refresh them. At first, they partook of His provisions, then afterward, their catch was added to the meal.d) This event was intended to instruct and encourage them in their Gospel labors, as they are now called to be fishers of men.
2. Next, we have Christ’s after-dinner discourse with Peter.
I. JESUS ADDRESSES THE MATTER OF PETER’S LOVE TO HIMSELF AND HIS DUTIES TO HIS CHURCH. (VERSES 15-17) We must assume that these searching words and this solemn charge were spoken directly to Peter because of Peter’s previous betrayal and denial of his Lord. (See Ch. 18:15-27)
A. JESUS WAITED UNTIL THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER. “SO WHEN THEY HAD DINED…”
1. Peter himself had not approached the subject, though he had had numerous opportunities. Neither had Jesus seen fit to bring it up until now. He addressed the matter of Thomas’ unbelief immediately upon seeing him in the assembly on the very next Lord’s Day. He could have spoken to Peter at that time as well, but the time was not right. The time and occasion of this discourse, like everything else our Lord did, was according to Divine purpose.
2. Peter had reproached himself for what he had done, and therefore, the Lord does not reproach him, nor does He speak of the denial directly, but only by intimation. (Three denials; question repeated three times.)
3. Jesus had waited until this particular time to deal with this. In fact, we can certainly add this as one of the reasons for this appearance.
a) Yet, He did not address it until the others had come to where He was. Peter was there a while before the others. (Verses 7, 8)
b) He did not bring the matter up until they had all enjoyed their meal.
B. ONCE THE TIME WAS RIGHT, JESUS BEGAN THE DISCOURSE.
1. Three times Jesus asked Peter the same question; whether he loved Him. How powerfully this must have affected Peter and the others, just as it does us who read these words still.
a) The first time the question is, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”
(1) This is a searching question: He calls him not by the name Peter, which He gave him (Matt. 16:18), for he had not shown in his actions the strength and stability that it signifies. He calls him by his original name, Simon, and reminds him of his old nature, son of Jonas, or Simon Barjona.(Matt. 16:17)
(2) This is a crucial question: “Lovest thou me?” If we would know if we are truly Christ’s disciple, let us ask, do we love Him? Peter’s fall had given occasion to doubt his love. His tears of repentance, and his return to the society of the disciples, were promising, but still, this is the crucial test, “Lovest thou me?”
(3) This is a pointed question: “Lovest thou me more than these?”
(a) Is Jesus asking, “Lovest thou me more than these people (the other disciples); more than these things?” (boats, nets, occupation, etc.)
(b) Or, is He asking, “Lovest thou me more than these love me?” Before Peter denied the Lord three times, he had boasted, “Though all men (these men) should be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” (Matt. 26:33; Mark 14:29)
(c) The second and third times, Jesus left out the comparative, “more than these,” because Peter, in his answer, modestly did not include it, being unwilling to compare himself to his brethren. We can be glad if we can say truly that we love Christ, but we cannot know if we love Him more than others.
(d) In the last inquiry, He altered the word. In the first two inquiries Jesus uses the word agape, and Peter responds with phileo. In the third inquiry Jesus uses Peter’s word, phileo. The first word is ahigh, nobler kind of love, while the second is a more emotional, passionate kind of love.
b) Three times Peter returns the same answer to his Lord, “Yea Lord, thou Knowest that I love thee.”
(1) He does not pretend to excel others in his love. He is ashamed that he ever made such a claim. (Phil. 2:3)But he can and does call Christ as his witness that he has a strong and passionate love for Him. “Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee.”
(2) The third time he was even more emphatic. “Thou knowest all things, thou knowest…”
(a) He does not appeal to the other disciples, because they are capable of being deceived.
(b) He appeals to the all-knowing Christ. “Thou knowest all things.” This is a confirmation of Christ’s Deity. Peter was consistent in this confession. (Matt. 16:16; John 6:69)
(c) Peter was convinced that Christ, Who could not be deceived, knew the sincerity of his love. We also can be certain that He knows if our love is sincere.
(3) When Jesus asked this question the third time Peter was filled with sorrow. “Peter was grieved.”
(a) He was grieved because it reminded him of his threefold denial, and was clearly intended to do so.
(b) He was grieved because it reminded him that Jesus knew the deceitfulness of his heart, and the possibility of self-deception.(c) Perhaps he was grieved because Jesus used his own word (phileo), questioning the sincerity of love.
c) Three times Christ committed the care of His flock to Peter.
(1) Those Peter was charged to care for are His lambs and His sheep. Some of the flock are young and tender and weak. (Isa. 40:11) Some are stronger and more mature. All need to be cared for by the under- shepherd.
(2) The charge given concerning the flock is to feed them. Again, two different words are used to express our one English word, “feed.” In Verses 15 and 17, the word simply means “provide food and pasture;” the other word used in Verse 16 means not only “provide food,” but govern, lead, direct,and generally do the work of a shepherd.
(3) Love to Christ is chiefly to be seen in usefulness and service to Him in His church.
II. JESUS NEXT FORETELLS THE MANNER OF PETER’S DEATH. (VERSES 18, 19) Christ, having appointed Peter his work, goes on to tell of his suffering and martyrdom.
A. JESUS FORESEES A VIOLENT DEATH FOR HIM AT THE HANDS OF THE EXECUTIONER. (VERSE 18)
1. Just as Jesus foresaw His own sufferings, so also He foresaw the suffering of all His followers. All except John would die martyrs, including Paul, who was as one born out of season.
2. He sees Peter’s freedom being taken from him. He will no longer be able to go and do as he did when he was young, but he will be taken by force against his will.
3. The stretching out of the hands is thought by many to point to the manner of his death by crucifixion. Others think it points to the bonds of imprisonment of those who are sentenced to die.
4. Peter here learns that he will suffer this in his old age. Some of the apostles did not have that luxury. James was the first to be martyred (Acts 12:1, 2), while his brother, John, lived longer than all the others.
5. Peter might be encouraged by this knowledge as his life will undergo many death threats along the way. He was well aware when the time of his death was drawing near. (II Pet. 1:14) He even alluded to this prediction when he spoke of it. “…even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”
B. JESUS EXPLAINS THIS PREDICTION. (VERSE 19)
1. It is not only appointed that all must die. (Heb. 9:25), but it is appointed to each what death he shall die.
2. It should be the great concern of every Christian, whether his or her death be natural or violent, slow or sudden, easy or painful, to glorify God in it. “…signifying by what death he should glorify God.”
C. JESUS FOLLOWS UP WITH A WORD OF COMMAND: “WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THUS HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FOLLOW ME.”
1. Peter’s restoration is here confirmed.
2. The calling that would bring about his suffering and martyrdom is here indicated.
3. This command provides the encouragement that is needed. We are not to go out ahead on our own, but we are to follow Christ.
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