Gospel of John - Redeeming Love

       

Redeeming Love

John 21:15-25

Have you ever been grieved because of your failure,  and you are wondering where to go from here? You lost something so very important, that you believe there is no way to get it back. This was the elephant in the room in Jerusalem and around the campfire for Peter. Peter is still bearing the consequences of his denials in his mind and heart. He tried to go back to the old normal, fishing, and here Jesus comes and meets him where he is to redeem, restore, and recall the one he loves. Let's read the first portion of our text, “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.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

Peter was always the leader, the protector (Matt. 26:33-57), the guy that would never fail. But the list of his failures and false presumptions were numerous. He lost faith and sank in the water, though to his credit he was the only one who got out of the boat; the not understanding of the parables (Matt. 15:16,16:1); the arguing over who was the greatest (Lk. 22:24); not letting children come to Jesus (Mk. 10:13); wanting to stay on the Mount of Transfiguration in tabernacles (Mk.9:5); insisted that Jesus would not die as long as he was there (Matt. 16:21-24); and wouldn’t let Jesus wash just his feet (Jn. 13:8). Peter  seemed to learn forgiveness through his failures. Later, Peter penned a verse that summed up his understanding of redemptive love. “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Pet. 4:8)

Now, Peter had gone back to fishing, and took some of the other disciples with him. Jesus knew Peter’s heart and he knew that Peter needed to know His redeeming love, forgiveness and calling of his life, for he was the rock (Matt. 16:16-18) and he was called to lead Jesus’ church. 

After they had finished breakfast on the beach, Jesus looked Peter in the eyes and said, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” It didn’t say how long it took for Peter to answer, but it was “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Now that sounds like a man who doesn’t want to be in competition again with others, he knew Jesus loved him, but could Peter love and forgive himself? Peter may have remembered the questioning of Jesus on forgiveness, “‘Seven times’, ‘No seventy times seven’” (Matt. 18:21-22). Jesus then commissions Peter, “Feed my lambs.” People are to have the faith like a child, so that  person could enter the kingdom of heaven. “He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt.18:2-4)  It was Peter who would lead the church through its infancy and it was Peter who would feed them through the power of the Holy Spirit the Words of God.

Application - As a pastor for nearly thirty-five years, I sure have had my share of failures as I let the flesh and my hubris lead me instead of the Holy Spirit. And like Peter, Jesus would come to where I was and restore me with his love, and remind me of the calling to feed the lambs in His church. And to those who are now heeding the Holy Spirit’s words to use every opportunity (Eph. 5:16-20) to do the will of the Father and feed the lambs that God has placed in your care.

We might be at a place where the proverbial Elephant is in the room of your life. Let Jesus teach us through his Holy Spirit the value of being redeemed in his love, and let that love lead you to a restored relationship with Jesus and others. 

Now, Jesus continued to look and speak into Peter’s life, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter may have been flustered, but with some resolve told Jesus, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Peter knew that Jesus was speaking into his heart and mind when he replied, “Take care of my sheep.” Peter probably remembered Jesus’ analogies of being the good shepherd (John 10:1-16) and this time he understood it wasn't real sheep he was to be incharge of but those who would believe in Jesus. He would be fishing for men and women, who were like sheep. Like fishing, it would take preparation, understanding, and knowledge. The same kind of response that Solomon asked of God to lead the people of Israel. It would take diligence to care properly for the people God was bringing into the Kingdom of Heaven by the Holy Spirit. Peter knew that Jesus would give him all that he needed to lead and care for His Church.

Application - As for sheep, they are one of the most skittish and fearful animals of God creation, and they are also stubborn and determined to venture off to places that aren’t good and will bring harm to themselves. As well there are predators who would like nothing better than to divide and scatter the sheep in order to kill, steal, and destroy. If a sheep gets turned over on its back it cannot turn itself over and it will die. A shepherd is needed for the sake of the sheep’s life. https://www.google.com/search?q=if+a+sheep+is+turn+on+to+it+back%2C+can+it+turn+itself+back+over%3F&rlz=1CAYGYA_enUS866US866&oq=if+a+sheep+is+turn+on+to+it+back%2C+can+it+turn+itself+back+over%3F&aqs=chrome..69i57.38887j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:e208b020,vid:guEyxTpevFo 

Isaiah wrote “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.” (53:6) God has given us godly men and women to care for us especially when we have a propensity to wander off or run astray. It is the pastor (shepherd) who is to go and look for the one who is astray and to bring them back. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.” (Matt. 18:12-13) This is part of the caring for the sheep of God’s pasture. (See Psalms 23 for the caring of the good shepherd)

Jesus is the good shepherd, and he looks for the stray sheep (like Peter and others) to bring them back to the protection of the fold of God.

 Last, Jesus asked Peter a third time. “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter may have realized that this third question was in relation to the three denials, and this went to his heart. For it hurt to remember his failures and sins, which seemed many. It was at this Peter’s answer took on a deeper emotional tone. “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus’ response was consistent with his calling of Peter to be the leader in the church, “Feed my sheep.” Peter knew that Jesus was redeeming him from his failures and sins, and emphasizing the importance of love, Jesus’ love for Peter and Peter’s love for Jesus and the church, all those who would believe and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, and to be set apart for the work of God the Father. Peter had seen the immensity of those who followed Jesus and listened to his teaching and received healing for the bodies and souls.

There would be an opportunity very soon in Peter’s life to see the magnitude of God’s flock, the church, and God would equip him with the power of the Holy Spirit for the task of feeding the sheep. (Acts 2) 

Application - It is remarkable to look at the difference of sheep from other animals. Sheep are finicky, they like to only eat certain things and they will eat it down to the nubiles. This is why a shepherd will move them around to different pastures. While other animals like a goat will eat anything and everything left to themselves. One pastor, Paul, likened the feeding of the sheep, to the full council of the Word of God “For that reason I testify to you on this [our parting] day that I am innocent of the blood of all people. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan of God. Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood.” (Acts 20:26-28 AMP) 

Goats left to themselves are like the world. People feed their minds, spirits, and souls on every type of contamination and evil that is around them and then wonder why they see degradation and evil everywhere. It is what goes into the body, mind, and soul that comes out in sickness, sin, and death. 

God has given us his Word as our food. As Jesus told the devil, “But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4 AMP) So as God’s sheep, let us eat what the Good Shepherd gives us. For he cares for us deeply.

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. And he wants to empower you with the Holy Spirit. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second, B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I am developing a new webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. I’m adding answers each week to questions that pertain to our time today.  Thank you

http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com