“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN”

St. John 21:15-25

The Conversation Between Christ and Peter

We are approaching the last section of his grand gospel in which a conversation takes place between Christ and a restored disciple by the name of Peter.  This wonderful conversation took place after a marvelous meal of fish and bread that Christ had with seven disciples (St. John 21:1-14).  What a great morning breakfast – fish and bread!  It is striking to note that our Lord did not begin His question to Peter in verse 15 by rebuking or condemning him, for we know that Peter greatly failed by denying the Lord thrice.

The searching question by the Lord to Peter – “Lovest thou me more than these” –  was an opportunity for Peter to revisit his boast of loyalty before his fall in Luke 22:33-34, 61.   Thus Peter was given the opportunity to reaffirm his love for his Master, for Peter truly did love Christ.  Through Peter’s heartfelt confession, he now rests his love, not on his own loyalty, but sorely in the Lord’s knowledge of His love.  It is quite possible for us to serve, and not serve in love for Christ’s lambs.  In verse 16, Peter replies by saying – “Yea Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”   Although Peter had failed the Lord in a most miserable way, the Lord gives him another chance to serve Him by issuing the command – “Feed my sheep.”  Thank God that He will restore His erring ones and supply them with the strength to engage in service one more time!

With verse 17, we see the love of Peter being challenged the more, for you can remember that Peter denied the Lord three times.  Experiencing the transforming power of God’s forgiveness and grace, Peter did not avow his loyalty of love, but simply cast himself on Christ’s omniscience.  Although men could not see any sign of Peter’s love for the Master through his denials, Christ knew his heart.  Christ knew what was in his heart, although his lips had transgressed!

After Peter had been fully restored, Christ commends to him those who were the most valued to Him – “His sheep.”  In verse 18, after Peter had been forgiven, restored and commissioned, he would be given the opportunity to manifest the proof of his love – for he was to die violently for the Lord!  Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified in reverse of how Christ died.  After giving Peter a prophecy of his death, Christ advancing words to him was – “Follow me.”  Instead of focusing on Christ’s forward words, “Follow me,” Peter wanted to know what was going to happen to John (vs. 20-21).  Christ replies in verses 22-23 by stating that it was Peter’s responsibility to “Follow Jesus” and not be over anxious or curious about the future of John.

The marvelous Apostle of love, John, concludes his presentation by disclosing that human words could not tell out the glory of the central figure of this book – Jesus Christ.  To do so, the world would not be able to contain the books that would be written (vs. 24-25).  May God Bless!