Chapter 21 is all about forgiveness and the commission of Peter.
Before Jesus died on the cross, Peter was shown to be weak. At the last supper, he had declared to Jesus 'I will lay down my life for you', yet while Jesus was on trial, Peter denied that he knew him - three times. When he realized that Jesus' prediction was true, he wept bitterly. But he didn't change inside; he isn't mentioned as being present at the crucifixion, perhaps because he was afraid of being recognized again.
Peter had seen Jesus several times subsequent to Jesus' resurrection, but he still hadn't taken steps to lead the disciples. He had gone back to fishing for fish, instead of fishing for men. Peter was probably feeling a bit worthless - in pain because he had lied, denied Jesus, and not even been there when He died. He had declared that he would lay down his life for Jesus, but when it came to it, he laid down tracks instead - fast ones, running away. Jesus was betrayed by Judas, but in Peter's eyes, Peter, also, had betrayed Jesus.
In John 21, Jesus appears again to his disciples, and after a fish breakfast, he asks Peter some questions;
1. Do you truly love me more than these?
2. Do you truly love me?
3. Do you love me?
Peter was getting a bit annoyed by the end of these questions; "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him, and Peter answered three times, Yes. This is in direct contrast to the three times that Peter denied Jesus on the night before he died. Each confirmation that Peter loved Jesus cancelled out one of the denials of Jesus, and Jesus forgave Peter, and asked him to "Follow me!"
Would Jesus also have forgiven Judas? I believe that he would. Judas was essential to the plans of God, and was acting under the influence of Satan. Judas took his own life in remorse for his actions; if he hadn't, and had eventually met the resurrected Christ, I believe that forgiveness would have been offered, and accepted.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Interestingly enough, when Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, Jesus asked "Do you agape me?" That is love Me with a godly love.
ReplyDeletePeter responds, "Yes, Lord, I fileo you." That is, I love you with a brotherly love.
Jesus again asks about agape love. Peter responds with a fileo love. Finally, Jesus asks if Peter loves with a fileo love, and Peter responds yes, yet again.
Why did Peter not respond with agape love?
This is a good application. I also believe there was more to these statements.
ReplyDeleteIn the first question Jesus asks... "Do you agapao me?" - The love that is the love that passes knowledge so to speak
Peter honestly responds "Lord you know I phileo you" - love you with a brotherly love
Second time again Jesus asks... "Do you agapao me?"
Again Peter responds "Lord you know I phileo you"
Last time Jesus reduces the demands to "Peter do you phileo me?"
Peter responds... "You know all things..."
Perhaps his final admission that Jesus knew better when He had declared that three times Peter would deny Him but Peter didn't agree at that moment?
A moment of complete humbling so that then scriptures would be fulfilled that he who humbles himself unto God that he would then be lifted up and exalted by God?
What is completely a "lift up moment" is that no matter where Peter was at, whether at the agapao level or the phileo level, Jesus still offered him the work of the Kingdom.
It is an encouraging thing to know that as we grow in the level of love, God is not waiting until we reach the apex of agapao love to be used of Him!
In the end, Peter did agapao Jesus as tradition says that he died crucified up side down for the love of Christ!
Ken, I must admit that your greek is much better spelled than mine! Haha
ReplyDeleteExcellent comment! You are right - God does not wait for us to get our lives together to come to Him; and He doesn't wait for perfection for us to be His vessels of noble purposes.