144 John 21:15-17 THREE QUESTIONS FOR SIMON PETER Introduction: Have you ever been thoroughly interrogated? Was it by your mother, your wife or your husband? Or was it by the police? Simon Peter was interrogated by Deity God ---by Jesus Christ. I. The connection between these three questions and the three denials of Jesus by Peter Earlier Jesus had announced to His disciples that one of the twelve apostles would betray Him. The betrayer would lead the enemy to Him so that they could arrest Him away from the crowds. The chief priests were afraid to arrest Him in a crowd of people because they were afraid that they it would cause a riot and they themselves would get hurt. Their desire was to find Him away from the crowds so that they could arrest Him without risking their own safety. Jesus had announced to them that before the night was over that all of His disciples would desert Him. The Apostle Peter strongly objected. He said that all of the other disciples may desert Him, but that he never would. In effect, he boasted that he loved Jesus more than any of the other disciples. Jesus told Peter that he would not only deny Him, but that he would deny Him three times. II. The first question V. 15, "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?..." The first question which Jesus directed to Simon Peter was: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" I have long wondered if Jesus meant, "Do you love me more than these fishes, and, thus, more than these material things?" Peter was the one who had instigated the fishing trip. It is true that Peter was to love Jesus more than the fish and more than any other material things. So should we all. But the question repeated three times would have no connection to the fishing trip. It had a connection back to the three times which Peter had denied Jesus. It connected to the three times which he had failed to live up to his boast that he loved Jesus more than any of the other apostle did. Peter needed to learn not to look upon himself as loving Jesus more than others do. And so should we all. When we think of self as being more devoted and more loyal to Jesus Christ than others Christians are then we think more highly of self than we ought. The word, love, in this text is translated from a Greek word which means the very highest kind of love. It means a love which is unwavering, one which never diminishes and never ends. It is an unearned and undeserved love. (V. 15), "...He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee..." Peter did not really answer the question which Jesus asked. The question which Jesus asked was, "Do you love me with a supreme love, the kind that will never falter, never waver --- not even when there is danger --- one that is true to the end?" But Peter's answer used an altogether different word for "love" which has an altogether different meaning. Peter used a word which may run hot and cold. It may falter. It may waver. It may even come to an end. In effect, what Peter said to Jesus was, "I am fond of you. I like you." (V. 15), "...He saith unto him, Feed my lambs." Jesus commanded Peter, "Feed my lambs." The lambs are young sheep. This term when referring to the saved may have reference to the length of time that they have been saved. They have not been saved long. Or, it could have reference to a lack of spiritual growth after one has been saved. At any rate, Jesus instructed Simon Peter to feed His lambs. In effect, Jesus said to Peter, "If you love me feed my lambs. Teach them the truths of God which I have taught to you. Feed or pasture my lambs. Even if you are only fond of me --- even if you just like me --- feed my lambs." III. The second question which Jesus asked Simon Peter V. 16, "He saith to him again the second time, Simon, l son of Jonas, lovest thou me?..." For the second time Jesus asked, "Do you love me? Do you really love me? Do you love me with an unfaltering, unwavering, unfailing love? Do you love me with the kind of love that will never desert me even though all others desert me?" Yet this time Jesus did not specifically say, "Do you love me more than these?" The idea was still there, but the question did not specifically put it into words. The answer which Peter gave to Jesus was essentially the same as it had been to the first question. (V. 16), "...He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee..." He again used the Greek word which means, "I am fond of you. I love you with a love that can run hot or cold. It is a human type of love. Never-the-less, I do love you." (V. 16), "...He saith unto him, Feed my sheep." Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my sheep." You will note that this time Jesus does not use a word which refers to the young immature sheep. Rather, He uses a word which refers to the fully grown sheep --- the mature sheep. Even adult Christians need to be taught the truths of God. Even the most spiritually mature Christians need to be taught. This can be a job which is even more difficult than feeding the young untaught immature Christians. The young are usually very anxious to learn. They are more cooperative. But teaching the adults can be a challenging experience. Yet that is what Jesus was calling upon Simon Peter to do. Peter was not being assigned the task of pastoring the church, but he was being assigned to be a helper to the pastor. He most certainly was not being assigned the task of being the pope. Peter never understood this instruction from Jesus to be an appointment to be a pope. IV. The third question V. 17, "He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?..." This time Jesus used the same Greek word which Simon Peter had been using. He asked, "Simon, do you even like me? Are you even fond of me? Do you love me at all?" (V. 17), "...Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee..." Even this third time, Simon Peter used the word which means, "I like you. I am fond of you." Peter would no more boast, "Lord, I love you more than these others do." He would no longer say that his love would never run hot and cold. He would no longer say that even if all others fail Jesus he would never fail Him. But there was one thing he could and did say. He said, "Lord, I love you." And he did. He truly did. (V. 17), "...Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." In other words, "Simon, if you love me at all, feed my sheep. You teach them the truths that I taught you. You support and help the pastor in this worthy work. You help the people in whatever way you can to grow spiritually." V. The Lord's questions for us The Lord had three questions for Simon Peter. I wonder how many He would have for us. I am convinced that there would be at least three for us. Jesus might ask us, "Do you love me more than the other Christians love me? Sometimes we, like the Apostle Peter, may get to thinking that we do. But we do not know the hearts of other people. Only God knows the hearts of the other Christians. Our answer should be: "Lord, I do not know who loves you the most. I just know that I love you. Jesus might ask us, "Do you love me at all?" If we are saved we do. If we are saved we love Him. We may not love Him more than anybody else, but we do love Him. If anyone does not love Jesus, he needs to be saved. Jesus might ask, "Do you even like me? Are you even fond of me?" VI. Commands which the Lord would have for us If you love Jesus then you need to be aware of what the Lord wants you to do for Him. Here are some of the instructions which He might give to us if He were with us here this morning. If you love me then love my church. I love it and gave myself for it. I want you to love my church and work to strengthen my church. If you love me love my word. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thus, it is my word. Love my word. Study my word. Teach my word. Teach it to my lambs and to my sheep. Stand for the truths of my word. If you love me, love people. Love the saved and help them. Love the lost and seek to win them to salvation.