John 21:15-17 - Homiletics

The restoration of Peter.

Though the Lord had already appeared to his disciple ( Luke 24:34 ; 1 Corinthians 15:5 ), he had not yet formally restored him to the place he had forfeited by his three denials.

I. THE SOLEMN QUESTION OF OUR LORD TO PETER . "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?"

1. The question is thrice repeated, that it may elicit a threefold confession answerable to the threefold denial of our Lord.

2. The question in its first form seems to remind the apostle of the presumptuous superiority he had claimed for himself above all the disciples. "Though all men forsake thee, yet will not I." "Lovest thou me more than these?"—these other disciples. It is a suggestive fact that Peter's assertion of extreme devotion had occurred in immediate connection with the promise of our Lord to meet his disciples in Galilee.

3. The question is concerning the higher love of veneration and confidence which is the sitting of the Christian life ( ἀγαπᾷν ); not the feeling of mere natural affection or simple personal attachment ( φιλεῖν ).

4. The question makes an appeal to personal experience .

II. PETER 'S THREE ANSWERS TO OUR LORD 'S THREEFOLD QUESTION .

1. The first answer is, "Yea, Lord; thou, knowest that I love thee."

(a) He does not now boast of his superiority to the other apostles, as if to say, "I love thee above them all;" he now merely ranks himself with true lovers of Christ.

(b) He does not adopt the higher term ( ἀγαπᾷν ) used in the question, but contents himself with the mere term of simple and friendly relationship ( φιλεῖν ).

2. The second answer is, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."

3. The third answer . "Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee."

III. THE SOLEMN CHARGES GIVEN TO PETER BY OUR LORD . They imply that our Lord accepted the apostle's answers in all their deep and touching sincerity.

1. First charge . "Feed my lambs." This is shepherd's work.

2. Second charge . "Lead my sheep."

3. Third charge . "Feed my sheep."