Archive for April 7th, 2008

As I began preparing for my sermon last night one of the things that I really liked about Peter’s story is the fact that he represents all of us that are Christians that are serving Christ in any capacity whether it be as a Pastor, Sunday school teacher, or even as a usher.  We all try to do the best that we can and with the most diligence that we can, yet we all fail at times.  We all have times where we end up doing the very things that we hate even though we know what the right thing to do is.But for all of us that are exactly like Peter we can feel assured that through Christ everything can be overcome.  As you read the scripture below look at the way that Jesus restores Peter after Peter has denied Christ 3 times.  By Jesus asking Peter if he loved Him and then answering with the command to tend and shepherd His sheep, Jesus is restoring Peter’s ministry.  Basically saying that the past is the past and you are forgiven; now continue on and take care of my sheep.
 
John 21:15-25 (New American Standard Bible) 
15 So 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, “Tend My lambs.” 
16 He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.” 
17 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 he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You ” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 

The other very cool part of this story is that Jesus was providing us an example of scripture in that He demonstrated in His actions the command that He gave us in Matthew 18:15: 

15″ If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Jesus went to Peter to heal him, to restore and renew him, to forgive him.  If Peter was to grow and become the rock that Jesus said he was to be, Jesus had to re-commission him. Call him again. So Jesus asks Peter if he loves him. His responses empower Peter’s return to ministry. Tend my lambs. Shepherd My sheep. Tend My sheep. Jesus is telling Peter that he is to continue with the calling that he has received from Him. Peter is to minister to the flock, to those that have heard Jesus’ voice, to the ones who are willing to listen to it.

But remember, we all have been where Peter was…we all have failed Christ.  But the good news is the Christ wants to renew and restore us right where we are.  Thats right Christ comes to us where we are!

Now just to make you think…Why would Jesus ask his question three times?

The three questions might relate to the three denials… thus the undoing of them. Or they might refer to the making of a contract. At this time in history a threefold of questions and answers was done to enact a contract. Maybe it’s both.  While you’re here give me your thoughts by answering the poll with what you think is the reason.

God Bless ~ Tyler