Walking with Peter - The Road to Restoration pt. 2

14. Why did Jesus ask these questions to Peter in the first place? What was his purpose? To irritate Peter? To give Peter a huge guilt trip? NO. Jesus wanted Peter to look into himself and learn for himself that he still loved Jesus - phileo and agapao. Rehabilitate Peter. Peter’s self-confidence is shattered. He’s being eaten alive by guilt. Unsure of his love for Christ. As long as Peter is in that state, he’s no good to Jesus. He will never be able to carry out the responsibilities given to him by Christ. Jesus was forcing Peter to confront his demons so to speak and overcome them. He wanted Peter to get the point where he can say “Jesus, I love you!” and not “Jesus, you know I love you.”

15. After each one of Peter’s responses in verses 15-17, what does Jesus tell Peter? What or who are the lambs? Followers of Christ. Jesus had given Peter the responsibility and the authority to take care of his followers. Why is Jesus telling Peter this? After Jesus had appeared to the disciples for the THIRD time, what were they doing? Fishing. Do you think Jesus was happy about that? He had spent 3 years with the 11 teaching them, discipling them, preparing them to do what? Go back to fishing? No! To go out into the world spreading the gospel.

Jesus is telling Peter, if you love Me, feed My sheep … take care of my followers. That is what I called you to do … to be a shepherd of my flock not a fisherman.

16. Why did Jesus have this conversation only with Peter? Why didn’t He have it with James, John, and the rest of the guys? Peter was the leader. The others followed his lead. He led, they followed. Saw that at the Last Supper and earlier in this chapter.

Read vs. 18-19

17. vs. 18 - What was Jesus telling Peter? Reminding Peter the meaning/truth about discipleship. Read Matthew 16:24-25. How did John interpret Jesus’ words to Peter? According to tradition Peter was crucified upside down. He did not believe himself worthy of dying the same death as his Lord.

18. At the end of verse 19, what did Jesus tell Peter to do? “Follow me!” Fresh start. Forget about the past. Let go of the guilt. Look to the future! You’re still my guy Peter. Follow me.

Read Vs. 20-25

19. How did Peter respond? Asked Jesus, “What about this guy (John)?” Why did he respond in this fashion? Peter feeling really uncomfortable. Attempted to change the subject. Take the focus off him and put it on somebody else. Did it work? What did Jesus say? Don’t concern yourself with him or his fate. Be concerned about yourself. About what I want you to do. Any of you ever been guilty of what Peter attempted to do? Why are you picking on me? Pick on my neighbor, fellow church member, someone more evil than me?

20. Do you think that, at this moment, Peter got what Jesus was telling him? I don’t think so. It doesn’t read as if Peter was receptive to Jesus’ words. What Christ did was start Peter on the road to restoration … kick started the healing process. How? Forced Peter to look at what was holding Peter back. Keeping him from serving Christ. His guilt and shame over what he done in the hours before Christ’s death. In the days leading up to Pentecost, I believe Peter really thought about his relationship with Christ. And at some point, he overcame the shame and the guilt and rediscovered his love for Christ. Afterwards, Peter was different man.

APPLICATION

If Jesus asked you the question, “Do you love me?” what would your response be? Agapao? Phileo? Or neither one? Do you believe you are not capable of such love because of guilt, fear, doubt, or you have a greater love for someone or something else? Know that you have the capacity for agapao love. Don’t allow the Enemy to deceive you otherwise. Agapao love comes from God. He is agapao love. Those who believe in him are able to express such love (I John 4:7). How do you know if you have agapao love? Is your love active or reactive? Do you energetically seek to learn more about God and others? Do you love God and others purposefully or reactively (who they are, their appearance, social standing, etc.)? Is your love for God and others unwavering or emotional? Once you learn that you have the capacity for agapao love, your relationship with God will be flourishing, you’ll have purpose in life, and you will be loving people you did not think you could possibly love.