Walking with Peter - The Road to Restoration pt. 1

Read John 21:1-14

1. What did Peter tell the other disciples he was going to do? Fishing. What did they say? We’ll go with you. Why do you think they did this? Going back to the life they knew before they met Jesus.

2. How did the disciple whom Jesus loved (probably John) know that it was Jesus standing on the shore? Familiar story going back to Jesus and Peter’s 2nd meeting.

3. What did Peter do when he heard it was Jesus? Jumped out of the boat and swam to Jesus. Why did he do this? Excited!

4. Why do you think it is significant that John included in his gospel the exact number of fish they caught? Big event. Watershed event. Remember where you were on 9/11, Kennedy assassination, moon landing. Stuck in his mind for years because what happened that day.

Read John 21:15-17

5. How did Jesus refer to Peter? Simon son of John/Jonas.

6. What question did Jesus ask Peter three times? Do you love me? First question - do you love me more than John, Nathaniel, etc.

7. In verses 15 & 16, what definition of love was Jesus referring to?

agapao - the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love His people are to have for God, each other, and enemies.

Define active - dynamic, lively, marked by vigorous activity, energetic. Military terms - active duty. Not in reserve.

Amplified Version - Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]?

8. In verses 15 & 16, what was Peter’s response to each question? Yes Lord, you know that I love you.

9. What definition of love was Peter referring to?

phileo - to have affection and regard of a very high order.

Definition of affection - an emotion; fondness

Definition of regard - respect; hold in high esteem; admire

Amplified Version - Yes Lord, you know that I love you [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for you, as for a close friend].

10. How does Jesus’ definition of love differ from Peter’s?

Jesus - Do you love me as you love God? A love based on reasoning = knowledge; intentional = love with a purpose; spiritual devotion = loyalty/commitment on a spiritual level. This love is energetic, lively, at work.

Simon, are you seeking to know me; are you purposely loving me; is your heart and soul sold out to me?

Peter - I love you as a close friend. A love that has depth = strong affection; instinctive = reactionary (responding to environment; not acting on environment); personal affection = fondness, commitment on an emotional level. A love that is respectful; full of admiration. But not a love that spurs one to act, to go out of their away to do something for that person on an everyday basis. To sacrifice for that person.

Peter - I have a deep affection and respect for You based on who You are and what You have done. You’re a good guy, what’s not to like? That is as far as I can go.

11. Why did Peter not respond with the definition of love Jesus was asking him? Hint: All three times, Peter says “Lord, You know that I love you.” Why does Peter phrase his answer that way? Why didn’t he just say “Lord, I love you?” Ex. Wives - “Hubby, do you love me?” Husband - “Sweetie, you know I love you.” Wives, did husband answer your question? He answered it, but not really answered it.

Peter didn’t know if he loved Jesus in the way Jesus defined love - agapao. Why? Recap Peter’s repeated failures during the last days of Christ. (Peter abandoned Jesus at the time of His arrest after he promised never to forsake Christ. He denied Jesus 3 times after telling Jesus he would never deny Him. He said he would follow Jesus to prison and to death. Because of his failures, he was burdened with guilt. Do you understand why Peter could not respond to Jesus’ question with agapao love? He didn’t know for sure if he had that kind of love in him. If Peter had, he would have prayed at Gethsemane, he would not have denied Jesus, he would have gone to trial with Jesus, shared the beatings with Jesus, died on a cross with Jesus.

12. If Jesus had asked this question of Peter at the Last Supper, what answer do you think
Peter would have given? Agapao. Now, in John chapter 21, he can’t. The best Peter could do was phileo. “Based on the time we have spent together, Lord you know I have deep respect/admiration/fondness for you.”

13. In verse 17, Jesus asked Peter a third time “Do you love me?” This time Jesus uses the “phileo” version of love rather than “agapao.” Why? And why did Jesus ask Peter this question after Peter said twice he had “phileo” love for Christ? He’s wanting Peter to answer the question for himself. Jesus wants Peter to take a hard, honest look at himself. To force Peter to look into himself to find the answer for himself “Do I love Jesus, either agapao or phileo?” Jesus - “OK Peter you say you have phileo love for me, well do you?”

What verbal answer did Peter give to Jesus’ question? How did he phrase his answer? “Lord, You know ….” What does that tell you about Peter’s love for Christ from Peter’s perspective? Peter’s not even sure if he has “phileo” love for Christ. Otherwise, he would have said “Jesus, I have deep affection/great respect for you.” Peter was having a difficult time seeing through the guilt to find his love for Christ. Even a person who had phileo love for someone would not have done the awful things he did.

What was Peter’s emotional response to Jesus’ question? Hurt. Sad. Distressed. Very uncomfortable. Why did he respond this way?

a) Hurt that Jesus was questioning his love. OR
b) Peter was not able to answer the question the way he would like to with confidence and assurance. Guilt was eating him from the inside out.