John 21

Empty nets verse 1- 3

After these things Jesus showed HIMSELF again to the disciples

at the sea of Tiberias and on this wise showed HE HIMSELF

There were together Simon Peter – Thomas called Didymus

Nathanael of Cana of Galilee – the sons of Zebedee

and two other of HIS disciples

Simon Peter said to them

I go a fishing

They say to him

We also go with you

They went forth – and entered into a ship immediately

and that night they caught NOTHING

Full nets verse 4- 6

BUT when the morning was now come – Jesus stood on the shore

but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus

THEN Jesus said to them

Children – have you any meat?

They answered HIM

And HE said to them

Cast the net on the right side of the ship – and you shall find

They cast therefore

and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes

Jesus prepares breakfast for disciples verse 7- 14

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter

It is the Lord

Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord

he girt his fisher’s coat to him (for he was naked)

and cast himself into the seas

And the other disciples came in a little ship

(for they were not far from land

but as it were two hundred cubits)

dragging the net with fishes

As soon then as they were come to land – they saw a fire of coals there

and fish laid thereon – and bread

Jesus said to them

Bring of the fish which you have now caught

Simon Peter went up – and drew the net to land full of great fishes

an hundred and fifty and three – and for all there were so many

yet was not the net broken

Jesus said unto them

Come and dine

And none of the disciples did ask HIM

Who are YOU? knowing that it was the Lord

Jesus then comes – and takes bread – and gives them – and fish likewise

this is now the THIRD TIME that Jesus showed HIMSELF

to HIS disciples after that HE was risen from the dead

Jesus confronts Peter verse 15- 17

So when they had dined – Jesus said to Simon Peter

Simon – son of Jonas – love you ME more than these?

He said to HIM

Yes Lord – YOU know that I love YOU

HE said to him

Feed MY lambs

HE said to him again the second time

Simon – son of Jonas – love you ME?

He said to HIM

Yes Lord – YOU know that I love YOU

HE said to him

Feed MY sheep

HE said to him the third time

Simon – son of Jonas – love you ME?

Peter was grieved because HE said to him the third time

Love you ME? And he said to HIM

Lord YOU know all things

YOU know that I love YOU

Jesus said to him

Feed MY sheep

Jesus informs Peter of his death verse 18- 19

Verily – verily I say unto you – When you were young

you gird yourself and walk whither you would

BUT when you shalt be old

you shall stretch forth your hands

and another shall gird you

and carry you whither you would not

This spoke HE – signifying by what death he should glorify God

and when HE had spoken this – HE said unto him

Follow ME

Peter wonders about John verse 20- 23

Then Peter – turning about – seeing the disciple

whom Jesus loved following

which also leaned on HIS breast at supper and said

Lord – which is he that betrayed YOU?

Peter seeing him said to Jesus

Lord – and what shall this man do?

Jesus said to him – IF I will that he tarry till I come

what is that to you?

follow you ME

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren

that that disciple should not die

yet Jesus said not to him – He shall not die

but – IF I will that he tarry till I come – what is that to you?

Testimony of activities of Jesus verse 24- 25

This is the disciple which testified of these things – and wrote these things

and we know that his testimony is true

And there are also many other things which Jesus did – the which

IF they should be written every one

I suppose that even the world itself

could not contain the books

that should be written AMEN

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 15 So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, love you ME more than these? He said to HIM, Yes, Lord; you know that I love YOU. HE said to him, Feed MY lambs. (4118 “more than” [pleistos] means most, very great, at the very most, plentiful, deep, or abundant)

DEVOTION: There are two words for “love” in this passage. The one word is “philo” which seems to mean brotherly love with some strings attached. It is not the same as the second word used for love in this passage which is “agape.” Agape is committed love. It is not a partial love it is total commitment to someone. It is what husbands and wives are supposed to have for one another. They should be willing to die for one another.

Jesus is using the word “agape” when HE is talking with Peter. Peter is using “philo” when he is talking to Jesus. Remember that LORD wants our total commitment to HIS commands and ministry.

HE wants all those who are HIS followers to be willing to die for their belief in HIM. Each of the disciples was killed for their belief in HIM at the end of their lives. At the beginning some doubted but that doubt was taken away after the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Many people today in our churches have their love for God on their sleeves. If someone offends them they will leave and never come back. They will complain to others about how they were treated by other believers or even by God if things don’t go their way. New believers need to understand that other believers are still growing in the LORD. These lambs need to have all the milk they can drink to become mature in the LORD.

God wants us in HIS ministry for the long haul. We let HIM down regularly. We might think that HE lets us down regularly but that is not true. HE is faithful to all of HIS children. HE might let us and other go through real rough times but it is always for our good. It is to strengthen us.

CHALLENGE: We can either become better servants or bitter servants of the LORD. The LORD wanted Peter to become a better servant so HE confronted him on this occasion. HE wanted Peter to know that HE was with HIM.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 16 HE said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, love you ME? He said to HIM, Yes, Lord; YOU know that I love YOU. HE said to him, Feed MY sheep. (5368 “love” [phileo] means to approve of, to like, befriend, to show signs of love, to be fond of doing, or kiss)

DEVOTION: The same two words are used for love in this verse. Jesus is using “agape” and Peter is using “philo.” Notice that the LORD knows that Peter’s love is going to change in the future but for now HE wants him to understand that HE wants him in HIS service.

HE commands Peter to “tend” to HIS sheep. Who are these sheep? They are those who will become believers on the day of Pentecost and after. There needs to be follow up on those who claim to be followers of the LORD. It is not a raising of hands and nothing. It is a raising of hands and then training.

Jesus told the disciples to go out and preach the gospel. HE gave them the entire world for their assignment. They were not to stop in Jerusalem. And they didn’t stop there.

While they were seeing individuals come to a saving knowledge of the LORD they were to train them or teach them so that they could go out and win others to the LORD also. They had to understand some Biblical teaching other than the Old Testament. They had to understand the teachings the disciples received from Jesus and from the Holy Spirit.

Once there was an understanding of both these areas they were being tended to properly by the disciples. Peter was a leader and so Jesus told him to make sure the new believers were fed properly.

Too often today we leave those who make a commitment to the LORD to fend for themselves. Attending Sunday School and church and prayer meeting is not enough training for new believers. There needs to be a parenting process where every believer has someone they can go to get answers to their questions. They need someone to show them how to witness to others. They need someone to show them what to do when they fail. They need someone to come alongside when they are struggling.

Many believers become shallow Christians. There are individuals who have been believers for many years who haven’t even learned the basics of the faith. The mature believers must step up to the plate to help those in leadership “tend” to the sheep in the congregation.

CHALLENGE: The LORD challenges HIS disciples and HE is challenging us to be the servants we are supposed to be. We are to feed HIS sheep. This means we are to have family devotions with our children. This means that we are to invite other to come into our home and have a Bible Study. Are we feeding our families with the truths of the Word of God daily?

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 17 He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, love you me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Love you me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep. (3076 “grieved” [lupeo] means be sorrowful, make sorry, to affect with sadness, to make one uneasy, made sad, pain, to be distressed, to be in heaviness or irritate)

DEVOTION: Jesus confronted Peter three times. It hurt Peter that the LORD kept asking him to love those who would become followers of Jesus. It made him sad.

Another reason it made him sorrowful is that the LORD changed HIS word for love from agape to philo in this confrontation. Jesus knew that Peter was not ready to commit to an agape love for his fellow believers. He was still sorry for his denials and needed time to adjust to what his future responsibility was going to be.

Once Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, he was the main speaker. There was three thousand souls saved on the day of Pentecost. There was a lot of follow up to be done with these new believers who would be considered “lambs.”

Four things were given to these new believers. They were taught doctrine. They were welcomed into the fellowship of other believers. They had communion services regularly. They were taught to pray. That was just for beginners.

Persecution came on the church through Saul or Paul as he would be called later. It caused the church to scatter which made the new believers become witnesses all around the area.

So the sheep needed to be fed and be fed quickly through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the disciples. The first deacons were well trained in the ministry. They became martyrs and evangelists.

Each of us needs to learn to move from a “philo” love for God to an “agape” love for God. Growth is necessary.

CHALLENGE: We are all responsible for the feeding of the sheep and the lambs in our congregation.

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23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (1831 “abroad” [exerchomai] means those who leave a place of their own accord, those who are expelled, to make known, declared, issue, to be spread, or to be declared)

DEVOTION: John the disciple wrote this gospel. John, who was the beloved disciple, writes this final chapter with tenderness. Here we find Jesus meeting the discouraged disciples on the beach after they had fished all night. Peter had led the way. There were seven disciples fishing all night.

Jesus on the shore asked them if they had caught anything. They replied NO. HE told them where to fish. Guess what? They caught more fish than they could handle.

John tells Peter that it was Jesus because they had not recognized HIM. Peter swims to shore. Jesus had prepared a breakfast. After breakfast Jesus speaks with Peter.

Three times HE asks Peter if he agapa HIM. Peter replied that he philo HIM. Agapa is thought to be a stronger love than philo. Philo is more of a friendship love than a full commitment love. Jesus used the word two times and then the third time used philo. Peter used philo all three times.

However, all three times Jesus commanded Peter to tend to the flock that Jesus would give him. There is the fact of restoration in these verses. Peter had denied Jesus three times and here Jesus is restoring him by asking three times if he loved HIM. Jesus didn’t give up on a disciple who had failed. Praise HIS name.

Jesus commands Peter to “Follow HIM.” HE also tells Peter the type of death he was going to face in the future. Peter was going to die a martyr’s death.

Peter looked around and saw John and asked what about him. Jesus said what difference does it make? Even if HE wanted John to live until HE returned it didn’t matter to Peter.

This issue deals with something regarding him and his future. Jesus is quoted as saying that he would live until Jesus returned but this was not said. It was spread everywhere among the followers of Christ that John would live until the second coming.

We find that people are sometimes more willing to spread half-truths rather than the whole truth. Some people don’t listen close enough to hear the truth. Here is a case of the disciples not listening closely to Jesus. Do we have this problem when we are listening to what people say about another person? Do we then spread half-truths?

Do we have that problem in our reading of the word of God? Are we listening to the Holy Spirit talk with us regarding how we are to live our lives?

We need to learn from this verse to listen closely to what people say. If we are going to quote someone or say something about someone – write it down and check it out. Don’t fall into the same habits of some of the other disciples of Jesus.

Never repeat anything that you have not checked out for yourself. I do this sometimes with email facts and find that the email was false. I need to check things out all the time also.

CHALLENGE: Watch what you spread about others. Even in the form of a prayer request.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Wrote these things verse 24

Written every one verse 25

Books verse 25

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Book verse 25

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God verse 19

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Jesus verse 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12- 14, 17, 20- 23, 25

Lord verse 7, 12, 15-17, 20, 21

Third showing of Jesus to disciples verse 14

Risen verse 14

Testimony is true verse 24

Many other things verse 25

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Grieved verse 17

Betray verse 20

False rumor verse 23

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Disciple verse 1

Loved verse 7, 15- 17, 20

Feed lambs verse 15

Feed sheep verse 16, 17

Glorify God verse 19

Follow Jesus verse 19, 22

True testimony verse 24

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Church (New Testament people of God)

Disciples verse 1, 4, 12, 14

Sea of Tiberias verse 1

Simon Peter verse 2, 7, 11, 15- 22

Thomas (Didymus) verse 2

Nathanael of Cana in Galilee verse 2

Sons of Zebedee verse 2

Two others of HIS disciples verse 2

Children verse 5

Disciple whom Jesus loved (John) verse 7, 20- 23

Other disciples verse 8

Last Things (Future Events)

Death verse 19

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QUOTES regarding passage

25.; ἀγάπη^a, ης f: to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high 43 ἀγαπάω^a regard—‘to love, to regard with affection, loving concern, love.’ἀγαπάω^a: ἐντολὴν καινὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν, ἵνα ἀγαπᾶτε ἀλλήλους ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another’ Jn 13:34; γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μισήσει καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει ‘for he will hate the one and love the other’ Lk 16:13; ὁ πατὴρ ἀγαπᾷ τὸν υἱόν ‘the Father loves the Son’ Jn 3:35; ὅτι αὐτὸς πρῶτος ἠγάπησεν ἡμᾶς ‘for he loved us first’ 1 Jn 4:19.

ἀγάπη^a: ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε πίπτει ‘love does not fail’ 1 Cor 13:8; ἡ ἀγάπη τῷ πλησίον κακὸν οὐκ ἐργάζεται ‘a person who loves doesn’t do evil to his neighbor’ Ro 13:10.

Though some persons have tried to assign certain significant differences of meaning between ἀγαπάω^a, ἀγάπη^a and φιλέω^a, φιλία (25.33), it does not seem possible to insist upon a contrast of meaning in any and all contexts. For example, the usage in Jn 21:15–17 seems to reflect simply a rhetorical alternation designed to avoid undue repetition. There is, however, one significant clue to possible meaningful differences in at least some contexts, namely, the fact that people are never commanded to love one another with φιλέω or φιλία, but only with ἀγαπάω and ἀγάπη. Though the meanings of these terms overlap considerably in many contexts, there are probably some significant differences in certain contexts; that is to say, φιλέω and φιλία are likely to focus upon love or affection based upon interpersonal association, while ἀγαπάω and ἀγάπη focus upon love and affection based on deep appreciation and high regard. On the basis of this type of distinction, one can understand some of the reasons for the use of ἀγαπάω and ἀγάπη in commands to Christians to love one another. It would, however, be quite wrong to assume that φιλέω and φιλία refer only to human love, while ἀγαπάω and ἀγάπη refer to divine love. Both sets of terms are used for the total range of loving relations between people, between people and God, and between God and Jesus Christ. (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, pp. 292–293). New York: United Bible Societies.)

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15–17 The chief reason for the narration of this episode seems to be to let Peter know that the Lord still loved him and had not cast him out (cf. 15:6). The three questions Jesus addressed to Peter stand in contrast to Peter’s three denials. The disciples were no doubt aware of Peter’s denial of Jesus, and the commission that Jesus renewed with him in their presence would reassure them of Peter’s place among them. The wording of the first question, “Do you truly love me more than these?” contains an ambiguity. There are three possible solutions:

1. Do you love me more than these other men do?

2. Do you love me more than you love these men?

3. Do you love me more than these things—the boats, the fish, etc.?

Grammatically, the comparative adverb “more” (pleon) is followed by the ablative of comparison “these” (toutōn). Whether the ablative represents the first or second alternative is not clear (see BDF, 185.1, p. 99). In view of Peter’s boastful promise that whatever the others did he would not fail, the former alternative seems more likely. The third solution seems least probable.

The words translated “love” have also raised considerable debate. Two different terms are used: agapaō is used in Jesus’ first two questions and phileō is used in Jesus’ third question and in Peter’s three replies. Agapaō is the same word “love” that appears in John 3:16. It is used of divine love and usually carries the connotation of will or purpose as well as that of affection. Phileō implies affinity, friendship, and fondness. Both words represent a high aspect of love. Since they are used of both God (3:16; 5:20) and men (14:21; 16:27) in this Gospel, they seem to be interchangeable with no great difference in meaning. Morris has a thorough discussion of the synonyms in this passage (NIC, pp. 768–71). He maintains that there is no essential difference in meaning between them. On the other hand, a good case can be made for a difference in Jesus’ emphasis. There was less doubt concerning Peter’s attachment to Jesus than there was concerning his will to love at all costs; and the change of term in Jesus’ third question makes his probing of Peter even deeper. If the latter alternative is adopted, it explains better Peter’s distress when questioned a third time, since Jesus would not only be challenging his love but would be implying that it was superficial. NIV brings out the nuance between agapaō and phileō by translating agapaō “truly love” and phileō “love.”

Peter’s affirmative answer to each question is substantially the same. The verb “know” (oida) implies the intellectual knowledge of a fact. In his third reply, however, Peter strengthened his statement by using ginōskō for “know.” This word denotes knowledge gained through experience. While one cannot assert beyond contradiction that the distinctions between these two pairs of synonyms are always uniformly observed, in a context where a definite change is made the difference is worth considering. Peter’s protestations are emphatic; and even if the conversation were carried on in Aramaic which would not use separate words where the Greek employs these synonyms, they may represent accurately the meaning of the dialogue as the writer heard and remembered it.

Jesus’ commands to Peter also contain fine distinctions:

1. “Feed (pasture) my lambs” (v. 15).

2. “Take care of (shepherd) my sheep” (v. 16).

3. “Feed (pasture) my sheep” (v. 17).

The first and third imply only taking the sheep to pasture where they are fed; the second implies the total guardianship a shepherd exercises. This threefold injunction does not necessarily give Peter the sole responsibility for the oversight of Christ’s followers; all of his spiritually mature disciples were called to be shepherds (cf. 1 Peter 5:2). This challenge to Peter demanded a total renewal of his loyalty and reaffirmed his responsibilities (Tenney, M. C. (1981). John. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, pp. 201–202). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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21:15–17. Earlier Peter had denied Jesus beside a fire (18:18, 25). Now beside another fire he was restored publicly.

Jesus called him Simon Son of John, as He had when He first met Peter (1:42). Jesus asked him, Do you truly love Me more than these? What did Jesus mean by “these”? Jesus probably was referring to the disciples, in light of Peter’s proud statement that he never would fall away no matter what others did (Matt. 26:33, 35; Luke 22:33; John 13:37). Jesus’ threefold question and threefold commission of apostolic mission contrast directly with Peter’s three denials. Three times Peter said he did not even know the Lord (18:17, 25, 27); now three times he said he loved the Lord (21:15–17). No matter how great a person is, he may fall (cf. 1 Cor. 10:12). But God’s grace and forgiveness will restore the repentant. This provision of grace would be important, for the church would soon face great persecution and even church leaders would waver in their commitments.

Three times Jesus commissioned Peter to care for the flock: Feed My lambs; (v. 15); Take care of My sheep (v. 16); Feed My sheep (v. 17). Some Roman Catholics assume that this asserts Peter’s primacy, but this is foreign to the passage (cf. 1 Peter 5:2). In Jesus’ three questions of love (agapas, agapas, and phileis) and His three commands of duty (boske, “tend”; poimaine, “herd, lead to pasture”; boske) various Greek synonyms are used. Since it is difficult to see any consistent distinctions that John intended, most scholars see these as stylistic variations. (Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 345). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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1. Do you love me more than these other men do?

2. Do you love me more than you love these men?

3. Do you love me more than these things—the boats, the fish, etc.?

Jesus’ commands to Peter also contain fine distinctions:

1. “Feed (pasture) my lambs” (v. 15).

2. “Take care of (shepherd) my sheep” (v. 16).

3. “Feed (pasture) my sheep” (v. 17).

The first and third imply only taking the sheep to pasture where they are fed; the second implies the total guardianship a shepherd exercises. This threefold injunction does not necessarily give Peter the sole responsibility for the oversight of Christ’s followers; all of his spiritually mature disciples were called to be shepherds (cf. 1 Peter 5:2). This challenge to Peter demanded a total renewal of his loyalty and reaffirmed his responsibilities. (Tenney, M. C. (1981). John. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, pp. 201–202). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

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Ver. 15. So when they had dined, &c.] The Persic version adds, Jesus turned his face to Simon Peter; he did not interrupt them whilst they were eating; but when they had comfortably refreshed themselves, he looked at Peter, and singled him out from the rest, and directed his discourse to him; and saith unto Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas; not John, as the Vulgate Latin, and Nonnus, and some copies read; for this answers not to the Hebrew word Jochanan, but Jonah, the same name with the prophet. Some have observed, that Christ spoke to him particularly by his original name, and not by that which he himself had given him, with a view to his strong faith, as Cephas, or Peter; but it should be known that Christ calls him by this name of Simon bar Jonah, when he made the most ample profession of his faith in him, and was pronounced blessed by him, Matt. 16:16, 17 lovest thou me more than these? meaning, not than the fishes he had caught, nor the net and boat, or any worldly enjoyment, nor than he loved the disciples; but the question is, whether he loved Christ more than the rest of the disciples loved him: the reason of which was, because he had some time ago declared, though all the disciples were offended at Christ, and should deny him, he would not; and had just now thrown himself into the sea to come to him first, as if he loved him more than they did: which question is put, not out of ignorance, or as if Christ knew not whether he loved him or no, and what was the degree of his affection to him; but because the exercise of this grace, and the expressions of it, are very grateful to him; and that Peter also might have an opportunity of expressing it before others, who had so publicly denied him: he saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee; not in word and tongue, but in deed and in truth; in sincerity, and without dissimulation, fervently and superlatively; for the truth of which he appeals to Christ himself; for he was so conscious to himself of the reality of his love, and the sincerity of his affection, that he chooses to make Christ himself judge of it, rather than say any more of it himself; though he modestly declines saying that he loved him more than the rest of the disciples did, having had an experience of his vanity and self-confidence. He was sure he loved Christ heartily; but whether he loved him more than the rest did, he chose not to say: he saith unto him, feed my lambs; the younger and more tender part of the flock, weak believers, Christ’s little children, new-born babes, the day of small things, which are not to be despised, the bruised reed that is not to be broken, and the smoking flax that is not to be quenched; but who are to be nourished, comforted, and strengthened, by feeding them with the milk of the Gospel, and by administering to them the ordinances and breasts of consolation. These Christ has an interest in, and therefore calls them my lambs, being given him by the father, and purchased by his blood, and for whom he has a tender concern and affection; and nothing he looks upon as a firmer and clearer proof and evidence of love to him, than to feed these lambs of his, and take care of them.

Ver. 16. He saith unto him again the second time, &c.] Willing to have the expressions of his love repeated and confirmed; Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? he leaves out the words, more than these, though Nonnus expresses them; he saw Peter’s heart, and observed the modesty of his answer, and would not urge him any more in that comparative way, only required a repetition of his sincere and hearty love to him: he saith unto him, yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee; expressing himself in the same language as before; and it is, as if he should say, Lord, what can I say more? I can say no more than I have done, and by that I abide: he saith unto him, feed my sheep; both the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and his other sheep among the Gentiles, whom the father had given him, and he had paid a price for, and must be brought in; these being called, he would have fed with the word and ordinances, with the bread of life, and water of life, not lorded over, and fleeced, and much less worried and destroyed; every instance of care and love shewn to these, he takes as a mark of affection and respect to himself.

Ver. 17. He saith unto him the third time, &c.] That by these three testimonies, out of his mouth, the thing might be established, and be out of all doubt: Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? is it so indeed that thou lovest me? is thy love really so hearty and sincere as thou sayest? may it be depended upon? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? because it put him in mind of his having denied his Lord three times; the remembrance of which cut him to the heart; and it added to his grief, that his love, which he knew was unfeigned, notwithstanding his conduct, should seem to be suspected: and he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; he appeals with great warmth and earnestness to him, as the omniscient God, and the searcher of all hearts, who knows all persons and things, and the secret thoughts, dispositions, and affections of men’s minds, for the truth of his love to him; for though he knew the treachery of his own heart, and durst not trust to it; and therefore chose not to be determined by his own assertions, and was well aware that the sincerity of his love might be called in question by fellow-Christians, because of his late conduct; but as every thing was naked and open to his Lord, with whom he had to do, he lodges and leaves the appeal with him: so every soul that truly loves Christ, whatever Satan, the world, professors, or their own hearts under unbelieving frames, may suggest to the contrary, can appeal to Christ, as the trier of the reins of the children of men, that he it is whom their souls love; and though their love may be greatly tried, and they themselves be sorely tempted by Satan, and suffered to fall greatly; yet their love to Christ can never be lost; the fervency of it may be abated, the exercise of it may be very languid, but the principle itself always remains, as it did in Peter: Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep. It may be observed from the repetition of this phrase following upon Peter’s declaration of his love to Christ, that such only are proper persons to feed the lambs and sheep of Christ, who truly and sincerely love him: and in doing which they shew their love to him: and who indeed would be concerned in this service, but such? since the work is so laborious, the conduct of those to whom they minister oftentimes is so disagreeable, the reproach they meet with from the world, and the opposition made unto them by Satan, and all the powers of darkness: ’tis true indeed, there are some that take upon them this work, and pretend to do it, who don’t love Christ; but then they are such who feed themselves, and not the flock; and who feed the world’s goats, and not Christ’s lambs and sheep, and in time of danger leave the flock; only the true lovers of Christ faithfully perform this service, and abide in it by preaching the pure Gospel of Christ, by administering his ordinances, in their right manner, and by directing souls in all to Christ, the heavenly manna, and bread of life. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that by the threefold repetition of the order to feed Christ’s lambs and sheep, is meant the threefold object of Peter’s ministry; the Jews in their own land, the Gentiles, and the Israelites of the ten tribes, that were in Babylon. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 133–134). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING:

Actually, I hate the word – mediocre! I get no pleasure out of using it, but I think I am telling the truth when I say that it describes many Christians. The word mediocre comes from two Latin words and literally means “halfway to the peak.” This make it an apt description of the progress of many Christians. They are halfway up to the peak. They are not halfway to heaven but halfway up to where they ought to be, halfway between the valley and the peak. They are morally above the hardened sinner but they are spiritually beneath the shining saint. (p. 513, TozerSpeaks by A. W. Tozer volume one)

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The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard

A successful performance at a moment of crisis rests largely and essentially upon the depths of a self wisely and rigorously prepared in the totality of its being – mind and body. (p. 4)

A baseball player who expects to excel in the game without adequate exercise of his body is no more ridiculous than the Christian who hopes to be able to act in the manner of Christ when put to the test without the appropriate exercise in godly living. (p. 4-5)

So if we wish to follow Christ – and to walk in the easy yoke with him – we will have to accept his overall way of life as our way of life totally. (p. 8)

By focusing on the whole of Christ’s life and the lives of many who have best succeeded in following HIM, I will outline a psychologically and theologically sound, testable way to meet grace and fully conform to HIM. (p. 10)

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2 Peter 1
God has given us the capacity to grow in Christian character and to develop spiritual fruit.
INSIGHT

We are children of God, subjects of the King of creation. God calls us to act accordingly, but often we do not. Our actions tend to result from our self-image which is flawed and enamored with the values and attitudes of this world. Peter writes that we have become: partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world . . . ” He then adds: “. . . for this very reason,” pursue holiness (vv. 4-5). Those who do not pursue holiness are shortsighted and have forgotten that they have been purged of their old sin natures. (Quiet Walk)

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LOOK AT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

…but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5
As I look at the Lord Jesus Christ in terms of this fight against the world, I ask this question: Why did He ever come into this world? You see, I am now working out my faith in Christ. I believe that the person, Jesus of Nazareth, about whom I read in the Gospels, is the Son of God. Very well, I ask immediately, why did the Son of God ever take upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh and live as man, as He indeed did? What is the meaning of it all? And there is only one answer to that question. It was because of the power of sin, the power of Satan, the power of evil. There is no other explanation. The Son of God came because He was the only way in which we could be delivered from the world.
In other words, it is the doctrine of sin again, the power of Satan and sin and evil. He came into this world because the world was dominated by sin, and it is only as I believe that “Jesus is the Son of God” that I begin to understand the nature of the fight in which I am engaged. People are optimistic about this world, and they are so because they have never understood the nature of sin. But if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you have to believe that the power of sin and evil and Satan is so tremendous that man had failed and the Son of God had to come.
Do you seen, then, how this enables us to overcome the world? How can I overcome the world unless I have seen the nature of the problem? The moment I have faith in Christ, I begin to understand the problem, for it is only the Christian who can see through this world. Everybody else is dominated by the world—governed by it. But the moment I become a Christian I see through the world.
A Thought to Ponder: The Son of God came because He was the only way in which we could be delivered from the world.

(From Life in God, p. 61, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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Ministry of the Holy Spirit
“God . . . hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 4:8)

Every believer has some awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, if there is no such awareness, then there is absolutely no relationship with God (Romans 8:9). Just what, then, is the ministry of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives?
All who have come to God by faith have felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit prior to salvation. From the world’s perspective, that constitutes His ministry. The Holy Spirit is commissioned by Jesus Christ to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Acting as God the Father’s operative Agent, the Holy Spirit draws us into a personal consciousness of our sin, Christ’s righteousness, and the absolute certainty of judgment to come.

This reproof has but one goal: to bring about regeneration (Titus 3:5) and give us witness that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). What is born from above (John 3:3) is nothing less than a “new creature” by the triune Godhead (2 Corinthians 5:17), created like God in “righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). The Holy Spirit energizes our “dead” spirit and causes us to “live” (1 Peter 4:6).
And that is just the beginning! Once regenerated, the Holy Spirit sees to it, as the “Spirit of truth” (John 16:13), that we are led (Romans 8:14) into truth—because the Holy Spirit will not invent information but will take truth directly from the mind and heart of God.
With that leading, we are sanctified (both positionally and progressively), having been chosen to salvation (2 Thessalonians 2:13). With the Holy Spirit’s power (Acts 1:8), we can exhibit His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) and come under His filling (Ephesians 5:18). May the glorious ministry of the Holy Spirit be yours both as promised and in practice.

(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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It was just before Christmas, and her kids were having a difficult time with gratitude. She knew how easy it was to slip into that kind of thinking, but she also knew she wanted something better for the hearts of her children. So she went through the house and placed red bows on light switches, the pantry and refrigerator doors, the washing machine and dryer, and the water faucets. With each bow there was a handwritten note: “Some of the gifts God gives us are easy to overlook, so I’ve put a bow on them. He is so good to our family. Let’s not forget where the gifts come from.”

In Deuteronomy 6, we see that the future of the nation of Israel involved the conquest of existing places. So they would move into large flourishing cities they did not build (v. 10), occupy houses filled with good things they didn’t provide, and benefit from wells and vineyards and olive groves they didn’t dig or plant (v. 11). All these blessings could be easily traced back to a single source—“the Lord your God” (v. 10). And while God lovingly provided these things and more, Moses wanted to make sure the people were careful not to forget (v. 12).

During certain seasons of life it’s easy to forget. But let’s not lose sight of God’s goodness, the source of all our blessings. By John Blasé, Our Daily Bread)

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