NYUBF | New York UBF

2009 NY-UBF Retreat

JESUS RESTORES SIMON PETER
(Feed My Sheep)

John 21:1-25
Key Verse: 21:17

“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.’”

Today’s passage is the record of the Risen Jesus’ third reunion with his disciples. It contains an unforgettable event on the beautiful shore in Galilee, followed by practical instructions for his disciples that they should be shepherds of God’s flock. We also want to see in today’s passage how our Lord Jesus heals the deep wounds in Simon Peter’s heart and restores him, particularly through meaningful dialogue with him.

Look at verses 1-3. “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberius. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ‘I am going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” After his resurrection from the dead, the Risen Jesus stayed on earth for forty days, during which time he appeared on and off to many people, including his disciples. (Acts 1:3; 1 Cor 15:5-8). However, Jesus didn’t stay with his disciples the way he had done during the time of his earthly ministry. He appeared rather suddenly to them and then disappeared at the moment they recognized him as the Risen Lord. (John 20:10-18, 19-23, 24-29) Seeing the Risen Lord was a joyful and shocking experience. In fact, Jesus’ resurrection was a challenge to their faith. The last time the Risen Christ appeared to them in Jerusalem, all the disciples were present (Jn 20:19-29). And they met him behind closed doors for fear of the Jews.

Now, seven of them went to Galilee, perhaps because Jesus had instructed them to. (Mk 16:7) We are not sure where the other 4 disciples were. They may have also left for Galilee but have not yet arrived there. More than a week had passed since they had seen the Risen Jesus in Jerusalem. While they were waiting around in Galilee, they didn’t know what to do. Perhaps during this time many questions came into their minds, such as “Is this Risen Jesus real?” “He was beaten, then murdered and then he rose again. Now what’s going to happen next?” “Is he going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) More than anything, the disciples felt so guilty about what they had done at the time of Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion. They had all fled in fear and Simon Peter had even denied Jesus three times. They thought, “Even if Jesus had risen from the dead, what kind of relationship are we supposed to have with him?” and “what would we do as his disciples?” They discussed and argued about these things among themselves but were not able to reach any conclusions. One day, Simon Peter suddenly got up and told everyone, “Guys, I am going out to fish.” The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. They felt like a bunch of failures. Their failure reminds us of what Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Look at verses 4-6. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus.” Perhaps this was because it was only twilight or maybe because of the distance between them, around 100 yards – 300 feet that they didn’t recognize Jesus. Anyway, Jesus called out, “Guys, have you caught any fish?” They replied, “No.” Then Jesus said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” Obviously, their net had been hanging over the left side of the boat. Normally, suggestions from a stranger are not easy to take. It’s amazing, however, because they followed these instructions. When they did so, they caught such a large number of fish that they were not strong enough to pull it in.

This is exactly what had happened the first time they met Jesus around three years earlier at the same place. (Lk 5:1-11) At that time also Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John hadn’t caught anything after struggling all night. Jesus told them, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” When they did so, they caught such a large number fish that their nets began to break. Simon fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” (Lk 5:8) Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” (Lk 5:10b)

What was the response of his disciples to the same kind of miraculous catch? I am sure they were all very surprised. Look at verses 7 and 8. John said to Simon Peter, “It is the Lord.” Then Simon Peter didn’t say anything but suddenly wrapped his outer garment around him and quickly jumped into the water. I guess even though Simon Peter had to swim in such an uncomfortable swimming suit, he could swim fast, almost like Michael Phelps. The description in verses 7-8 reveals John’s quick insight and Peter’s quick action.

Why would Simon jump into the water so quickly? Obviously, it’s a display of Peter’s impulsive character. The other disciples behaved more normally. We also know that Simon Peter did it because he loved Jesus so dearly. He truly loved Jesus from the bottom of his heart. His love for and loyalty to Jesus had never changed even though he had denied him.

Look at verses 9-11. While the disciples struggled to get their boat to shore, Jesus was preparing breakfast for them. When they arrived, they found a fire burning with bread and fish cooking on it. Jesus told them to bring some of the fish they had caught, so Simon climbed aboard and dragged the net to shore. It was full of large fish, 153. Why did Jesus help his disciples to catch such a large number of fish? Of course, by helping the disciples to catch a large number of fish at this time, Jesus restored them and helped them not feel like total failures. But Jesus’ real intention was to remind them of their first calling as fishers of men. It means that even though they had failed to follow Jesus, Jesus wanted to show that God still loved them and God’s calling for them was irrevocable. (Ro 11:29)

Look at verse 12. “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?” They knew that it was the Lord.” But it seems that his disciples were a little hesitant to come close to Jesus. In the past, Jesus didn’t have to invite them to come and eat. What was bothering them? Normally, Americans don’t eat fish for breakfast. Some people really don’t like the offensive smell of fish. But I assume that the disciples loved fish. Then what was bothering them? Well, it was something about the resurrection of Jesus. Although they knew that it was the Lord that appeared to them, they weren’t sure whether it was the real Jesus who was physically alive or a ghost. The last time Jesus appeared to them, he didn’t need to open the door to come into the room. He just passed through the wall and said, “Greetings!” and disappeared. After all, Jesus had been beaten so badly and crucified, shedding all his blood. Even if he was made alive, how could he be so full of life? It was too good to be true. Definitely, Jesus’ resurrection challenged their faith. So Jesus addressed their insecurities, coming close to them and serving each of them with the bread and fish. He ate and drank with them. By sharing breakfast with the Risen Jesus, they now knew that Jesus was indeed physically alive again. (Lk 24:41-43) I believe that the disciples were overjoyed. This was Jesus’ effort of love to reconnect himself to his disciples. It was like a dream come true. A few days before his death, Jesus had said in Martha’s house in Bethany, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:25-26) In Jesus, we have everlasting life. As long as we remain in Jesus, we can be fully alive and bear much fruit-fruit that will last. (Jn 15:5-9)

In verses 15-23, we mainly see Jesus’ personal dialogue with Simon Peter. Although Jesus seemed to focus his talking on one person – Simon Peter, he definitely wanted all of the disciples to learn from what he said. Look at verses 15-17. The disciples had enjoyed a delicious breakfast made by Jesus. Everyone ate well and was very satisfied. However, a pressing problem still remained in Peter’s heart and Jesus knew it. So Jesus approached Simon Peter and asked him three times if he loved Jesus. It was very possible that while Jesus talked with Simon Peter, the two of them walked along the shore while the other disciples following from behind. Let’s read verses 15-17. “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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.’”

The first question to Simon Peter was “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” The second question was “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” And third one was “Simon son of John, do you love me?” The third time Jesus asked “do you love me?” Although all three questions are the same, the intensity of his question became more and more precise, from “Do you love me more than these?” to “Do you truly love me?” and then to “Do you love me?” Peter’s answers to Jesus’ questions were basically the same, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” (15) “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” (16) But the third time, Simon was hurt and said, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.”

What was the main theme of their dialogue? Feeding sheep? Yes and no. It’s love relationship. According to Greek text, Simon Peter used a word for love “phileo” all three times, while Jesus used “agapeo” the first two times and phileo the third. Many scholars see a distinction between the meanings of the synonyms for love that were used here. However, we are not going to put too much emphasis on this distinction, as John seems to use phileo and agapeo almost interchangeably in his gospel. After all Jesus and Simon Peter were probably speaking Aramaic, which does not have two distinct words for love. However, we might need to think about why Jesus asked the same question over and over again – “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Didn’t Jesus know how much Peter loved him? It appears that Jesus asked the same question three times because he didn’t trust Peter. No one can deny that Peter’s denial of Jesus was a terrible failure for the top disciple. But was Jesus surprised by Peter’s denial? Not necessarily. In fact, at the last supper Jesus predicted that his disciples would all fall away on account of him. But when Peter heard him saying this, he laughed at him, saying “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” (Mt 26:31-33) Then Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter, shaking his head, declared, “Lord, I want you to know this: Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Mt 26:34) But that very night, Peter fell into temptation and denied Jesus three times while he was around a fire, warming himself. When he denied the Lord the third time the rooster crowed, and Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter. Peter went outside and wept bitterly. (LK 22:60-62) What a painful and humiliating experience it was!

Therefore, when Jesus asked him the third time “Do you love me?” he was deeply hurt. Simon Peter used to be overly confident about himself. But now, he could not brag about his love and loyalty toward Jesus. He basically said, “Yes, you know that I love you.” (15, 16) And the third, he added one more phrase to his answer, “Lord, you know all things.” “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” “Lord, you know all things!” This is a very significant statement. In the past, Peter had been so confident of his own understanding that he thought he knew better than others, even Jesus. If people had a different opinion, he thought they were wrong. He tried to correct them, including Jesus his master. Out of his pride and arrogance, he hurt other disciples. He was arrogant and overly self-confident of his own understanding. He was not truly ready to serve God’s flock because of his pride and self-reliance.

What about now? Peter doesn’t sound as convincing as he used to, yet we see a remarkable change in Peter’s heart. He became humble and would no longer try to correct others out of his pride, thinking that he was always right. Actually, through his crucial failure and mistakes, he had been challenged and humbled and was becoming a new creation. His arrogance has been broken and he was ready to be molded into the useful vessel of God. It was through his terrible failure and mistakes that Simon Peter could truly grasp the meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross. He wrote in his letter, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Even though Peter’ answer to Jesus wasn’t as convincing as it used to be, at this moment, the bond of love between Jesus and Simon Peter couldn’t have been stronger. Here, we see that in order to be truly used by God as God’s servant, our giant ego, along with selfish ambition, have to be broken. Everyone experiences failure at some point in their lives. Of course, it’s painful for us to fail and even more painful to admit our failures. Failing is not just a painful experience but also a humbling experience. Failing over and over makes us very fatalistic. We feel like giving up. But failing is not always bad and negative. When we admit our failures humbly before God, it can be a wonderful opportunity to grow mature. In other words, in order for us to be reshaped and transformed in Christ Jesus, we have to be broken first. Our pride, giant ego, self-confidence, selfish ambition and all kinds of sinfulness have to be broken. If we are not broken, God cannot mold us as He wants.

For example, when Moses was a prince in Egypt, he was very able and self-confident. But God could not use him as a shepherd for the people of Israel until Moses was completely broken through 40 years of wilderness training. When God called him to go back to Egypt to rescue His people, Moses was hesitant because he lost self-confidence and said, “Lord, please send someone else.” When Jesus asked Simon Peter the same question over and over, he wasn’t trying to break him down or open up his painful wounds again. It was rather to heal his wounds by letting him confess his true love toward Jesus.

When we don’t see much visible fruit in our life as missionaries and shepherds and only experience many failures, one failure after another, we feel like giving up everything. We feel that our life has been wasted. We feel only wounded and burned out. We often compare ourselves with others who seem to be fruitful and successful and feel defeated. We feel like we are a spiritual failure as a missionary, a campus shepherd and even as a Christian. But did God fail? No. In fact, even if we might fail over and over again, God never fails. God never stops working in us. In fact, in all things God works for the good of those who love him and those who are called according to his good purpose. (Ro 8:26) God’s most beautiful and ultimate work in us is not necessary having many sheep for our glory. It is to transform us into the likeness of his Son Jesus Christ (Ro 8:28-29).

But that does not mean that we don’t need to do anything. Throughout this exchange Jesus constantly said to Simon, “Feed my Lambs” (15) “Take care of my sheep” (16) and “Feed my sheep” (17). What does it mean to “feed my sheep”? It means to provide food for God’s children so they may be nurtured and grow strong and healthy. This includes both physical and spiritual food. Jesus fed his disciples all the time, caring for their immediate needs. Jesus’ disciples must do the same for others. More than that, Jesus fed his disciples spiritually. He opened their eyes to the spiritual world by through his unconditional love, care and God’s words. We also notice that Jesus referred to the sheep as his sheep, not Peter’s sheep. This indicates that we don’t own our sheep. They are Jesus’ sheep. However, we will be held responsible for our care for them. We should take care of Jesus’ sheep. Saint Peter said in his letter to the early Christians, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because we must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:2-4)

What is the unfading glory of the crown? Is it made out of gold or diamonds? No. It is the beautiful and glorious image of our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, if we want to follow Jesus, we should be shepherding his flock because feeding sheep is a prerequisite of discipleship. By feeding sheep, we can learn Jesus’ humility, patience and love and be molded into the image of Jesus Christ. We will also participate in the glorious resurrection.

In verses 18-23, Jesus predicted Peter’s future life and death as a shepherd of God’s flock. But the main focus of his instruction is that Peter should follow Jesus. Look at verses 18-19. “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’” Then he turned back and saw John and said, “What about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (23)

In the synoptic gospels, Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Lk 9:23) Jesus said this so that his disciples may grow in his image. In John’s gospel, Jesus seems to be saying to his disciples that if anyone would come after him, he or she must feed Jesus’ sheep. Jesus’ command “Feed my sheep” is the conclusion of John’s Gospel.

Why is it so important for us to feed Jesus’ sheep? There many are many reasons for it. The most important and fundamental reason is that by feeding Jesus’ sheep we can grow in the image of God and God’s will for world salvation can be accomplished. Despite our weaknesses and shortcomings, God chose each of us by his grace to feed his flock of sheep everywhere. Despite our constant failures, God’s calling as a shepherd is irrevocable. There is no real failure as long as we abide in Jesus. Feeding Jesus’ sheep should not be just a burden for us. Feeding sheep should be our expression of love for Jesus. May we be newly motivated to take care of Jesus’ sheep with a clear decision to follow our Lord Jesus Christ, our Chief Shepherd, who will return in God’s time.