*John 21:15-25
Jesus forgives Peter’s denial, entrusts him with caring for his followers, and predicts Peter’s martyrdom.
- Jesus’ Interaction with Peter:
- Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, using different Greek words for “love” each time.
- Peter affirms his love for Jesus, albeit with a sense of discomfort and humility.
- Each time Peter responds, Jesus instructs him to “feed my lambs,” “take care of my sheep,” and “feed my sheep,” emphasizing Peter’s future role in leading and caring for the followers of Christ.
- Symbolism and Meaning:
- The threefold questioning parallels Peter’s earlier threefold denial of Jesus before his crucifixion, signifying forgiveness and restoration.
- Jesus entrusts Peter with the responsibility of shepherding his followers, highlighting Peter’s leadership role in the early Christian community.
- Peter’s Reaction:
- Peter becomes distressed by Jesus’ repeated questioning, possibly reflecting his guilt over his denial of Jesus or his uncertainty about his own faithfulness.
- Despite his discomfort, Peter reaffirms his love and commitment to Jesus.
- Prophecy about Peter’s Future:
- Jesus predicts Peter’s future martyrdom, indicating the ultimate sacrifice Peter will make for his faith.
- He instructs Peter to follow him, foreshadowing the path of discipleship and self-sacrifice that Peter will undertake.
- Disciple John’s Role:
- The passage concludes with Jesus and Peter discussing the fate of the disciple John.
- Jesus tells Peter not to worry about John’s destiny but focuses on Peter’s own journey and responsibilities.
John 21:15-25 teaches us that Jesus offers us a fresh start and calls us to follow Him. After Peter had denied Jesus, Jesus gave him the chance to reaffirm his love and told him to care for His people. This reminds us that no matter our past mistakes, Jesus still loves us and has a purpose for us. We can apply this by trusting in His forgiveness and focusing on what He calls us to do, rather than comparing ourselves to others. Instead of dwelling on failures, we should move forward in faith, loving and serving others as Jesus asked.
John 21:15-25 (WEB)
21:15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. 25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.