Gospel of John 21:15-25

Cherish Him

John 21: 15-25

The Gospel of John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max A Forsythe

Introduction: In this passage there are two things of significance that relate to the Apostleship of Peter and John. The first portion shows us the reinstating of Peter as an Apostle. Let us hear John's inspired report.

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?'
He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.'
He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?'
He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you,'
He said to him, 'Tend my sheep' He said to him the third time, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?'
Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.'
Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' (this he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, 'Follow me.'" John 21: 15-19

Let us make certain that we understand the issue at stake here. It is not Peter's faith in Jesus Christ, that saving relationship has been firmly planted in the faith given to Peter through the Holy Spirit. We have seen that even despite Peter's shortcomings on the night of the crucifixion, Peter had not abandoned the fellowship of the saints. He was near enough to see and hear of Jesus' resurrection directly. He was in the upper room on two occasions and here beside the Lake of Galilee waiting for Jesus to come. The essential problem is in the personality of Peter. Peter had boasted in the presence of the others that should they all fall away and forsake Jesus, he, Peter would not do so!

Given our human frailty this bragging could cause discord within the fellowship of believers. We always have to be careful in our relationships within Christ's Church. There are always opportunities for some to feel slighted. As we work through this passage let us learn not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought and let us also learn to be content with our relationship with the Lord and not be jealous of another's. Peter spoke too rashly and out of turn and if you remember Jesus had predicted that Peter would end up a failure. And on that night before the execution, Peter exactly fulfilled his Lord's prophecy and denied Jesus not once but three times. Here in these verses, Jesus means to restore their relationship as well as the trust of the other Apostles.

Development: Jesus begins by addressing Peter with his given name, the name by which he was called to be a disciple. Jesus here is reminding him of his human frailty before coming into Christ's Kingdom. The question is a simple one, which reminds us of the human failings of Peter in his first hour of trial: "do you love me more than these?" The word " These," here refers to the other disciples whom Peter had maligned when he claimed a higher love and dedication to Jesus Christ. Peter answers in the affirmative. Now in the Greek Peter uses a different form of the word love than Jesus asks. Some commentators make very much of this difference, however the Apostle John uses the words similarly all through the Gospel, so we will not dwell on that particular point. The essential point is the strength of Peter's love! His faith is not in doubt, but the depths of his love have proven to be shallow. I am reminded of a very dear friend who sincerely loves the Lord, yet he freely admits that he doesn't think he would have had a very good track record with any Roman Lions! Peter and the others had not lived long enough to hear about Nero's lions yet! "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Jesus asks a second time in verse sixteen.

I am certain that Peter's soul is hurting in this situation. After all he was being reminded of the depth of his sin. And yet the kindness of Christ is evident as each time Peter is urged to continue the work to which he has been called. When they were little, the boys would often get a splinter in their hand or foot. That can be painful. At least they have not had the opportunity or embarrassment of picking up a splinter by sliding down one of those sloped old-fashioned wooden basement doors! The pain is real; the sedative of an ice cube is not really enough to deaden the pain of a searching needle as we sought a cure for their pain. And yet the extra pain is necessary to solve the problem. The same is true here in Peter's case. He is being disciplined for further service in Christ's Church. Fortunately our fellowship has not required a lot of loving discipline. Peter here stands as an example for us on how we should take our medicine. There is his answer "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you," Again he is called to further service.

A third time, Jesus asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" By this time Peter's feelings come to the surface as our observer notes. Once in the old United Presbyterian Church in North America there was a congregation where several families had stopped coming to worship. A new minister went out with the elders and the only question that he asked was this question addressed to Peter. "Do you love your Lord Jesus Christ?" Certainly, because we are human we fail and fall short in our love and dedication to Jesus Christ. Like Peter, there is hope for us; the Lord may still use us if like Peter we embrace our Lord with love.

Of course our modern use of the word love leaves a lot to be desired and perhaps for this love of Christ we should use an older English love with a higher calling. That word is "cherish". It is sometimes used to describe the marriage relationship after the honeymoon years are over and love has matured and grown. For you young people enjoy your love for one another but do not be surprised if that love grows and changes so that you eventually cherish one another. In the same way, as we grow in grace and faith, of youthful enthusiastic love for Jesus Christ grows stronger and changes to a deeper commitment just as Peter is challenged to here.

Before we move on we must note that Peter is called to care for the flock that Jesus is gathering into His Kingdom. The various technical words here include the young lambs; the older mature animals and then the whole flock together. We also note in verses eighteen and nineteen that Peter's future is once again predicted. The love of Peter must be strong indeed for he is called to wear a martyr's crown at the end of his life. This will be the cost of discipleship. Hopefully we may be spared that same end, yet we too are still called to a greater love of Christ so that we too may serve Him as we walk in His way to follow Him.

Conclusion: We move on now to the last portion of this passage.

"Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had been reclining at table close to him and had said, 'Lord, who is it that is going to betray you? When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, 'Lord what about this man?' Jesus said to him 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!' So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?'

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." John 21: 20-25

Peter expresses an interest in what will happen to the beloved Apostle John. Don't you just love this character Peter; he is just like us all. No sooner is he restored from saying the wrong thing and forgiven and the sin forgotten and what does he do? He puts his foot in his mouth again! Isn't that just what we would do? Yes, Peter is a frail human just as we are. Yes, Peter is far from perfect, but he loves his Lord. We are called to do the same to love Him with a deep, deep love that cherishes what He has done for us. I would almost imagine that Jesus answers with a slight smile on His face, 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?'

Like John reports here, some did not hear Jesus' words aright. So John closes his gospel with the essential truth of Jesus' own words. Certainly, the Apostle John lived to a great age and was well known and loved in the Christian Church. But, he too like all the others was called home in God's good time. John closes with a testimony to the truth of his words and then notes that the gospels are not all complete. There were in truth many more things that Jesus said and did, but John's purpose is still the same as it is stated in John 20: 31: "these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Your life may sometimes be difficult, you may sometimes be tested, and some Christians are even killed for the sake of the Kingdom. But if our faith is properly focused entirely upon Jesus then life in Him is forever. The next time, life gets tough, testy or trying, remember the questions Jesus asked Peter and think of them being asked to yourself:

Do you love Jesus? Then follow him!
Do you love our Lord and Savior? Then follow him!
Do you cherish our Christ? Then follow him! Amen.

Resources Used:

Bernard, J.H..                       International Critical Commentary: Gospel According to St John.
MacLaren, Alexander.        Expositions of Holy Scripture: St John.
Parker, T.H.L.                       Calvin's Commentaries: The Gospel According to St John.
Good News Publishers       The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

Christ Covenant _REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America) 04 June 89
31 March 2002 Box 13926 - Columbus, Ohio 43213-8049 m4syth@tulip.org
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