Sermon Date: 5/4/2025

Bible Verses: John 21:15-19

Speaker: Rev. Timothy "Tim" Shapley

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

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, “Feed my lambs.”
He said to him 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, “Tend my sheep.”
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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”
(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

1. A Personal Conversation (vv. 15–17)

Jesus pulls Peter aside—not to shame him, but to restore him. Three times Peter denied Jesus before the crucifixion. Now, Jesus gives him three opportunities to affirm his love.

• Jesus doesn’t call him “Peter” (the Rock), but “Simon, son of John.” This reminds Peter of his humanity, his weakness—but also his potential.
• The question Jesus asks is simple: “Do you love me?” He doesn't ask, “Will you be perfect from now on?” or “Why did you fail me?”—He asks for love.

This is the heart of discipleship. Love for Jesus is the foundation. Not talent. Not success. Not knowledge. Just love.

Greek Words for Love in John 21:15–17

There are two primary Greek words used in this exchange:

1. Agapao (ἀγαπάω) — Often refers to selfless, unconditional, sacrificial love. It’s the kind of love associated with divine love — the way God loves humanity.
2. Phileo (φιλέω) — Refers to brotherly love, affection, or friendship love — the love of deep companionship and emotional closeness.

Now let’s walk through the conversation:

Verse 15

“Simon, son of John, do you agapao me more than these?”
Peter responds: “Yes, Lord, you know that I phileo you.”
Jesus says: “Feed my lambs.”

• Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him with deep, sacrificial love — agape.
• Peter, perhaps still aware of his past failure, responds with a more modest: “You know I love you like a friend.”
• He might not feel worthy to claim “agape” yet.

Verse 16

Jesus said again, “Simon, son of John, do you agapao me?”
Peter said, “Yes, Lord; you know that I phileo you.”
Jesus said: “Tend my sheep.”

• Jesus repeats the same high-level love word: agapao.
• Peter again humbly responds with phileo — expressing sincere affection but perhaps still not confident enough to claim full devotion.

Verse 17

Jesus said a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you phileo me?”
Peter was grieved… and said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I phileo you.”
Jesus said: “Feed my sheep.”

• This time, Jesus meets Peter where he is and switches to phileo.
• Peter is grieved—not because Jesus doubts him, but because He asks a third time (echoing the three denials) and because Jesus lowers the word.
• It's as if Jesus says, “Peter, are you even my friend?” And Peter’s answer is heartfelt: “Lord, you know I am.”

What Does This Mean?

1. Jesus meets us in our weakness
   He doesn’t demand that Peter match Him word for word. He accepts Peter’s honest heart.
2. Love grows over time
   Peter wasn’t ready to declare agape yet. But later, through his life and martyrdom, Peter would live out that full, sacrificial love.
3. Restoration is not about the perfection of your love—it’s about the direction of your heart.
   Jesus doesn’t reject Peter’s phileo. He receives it and commissions him.

And each time Peter responds, Jesus gives him a mission: “Feed my lambs... tend my sheep... feed my sheep.”
Love for Jesus overflows into care for others. Restoration leads to purpose.

1. A Sobering Prediction – The Cost of Love (v. 18)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted,
but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

Jesus shifts the conversation from restoration to reality. Peter, once impulsive and self-assured, is now being prepared for the true cost of following Christ.

1. From Freedom to Surrender

• “When you were young…” points to Peter’s earlier life, full of independence and self-determination.
• But now, Jesus foretells a time when Peter will no longer be in control. “Another will dress you…” is a clear allusion to Peter’s eventual martyrdom, crucified (according to tradition) upside down in Rome.
• The phrase “stretch out your hands” was commonly used to describe crucifixion. Jesus is not just predicting suffering—He is revealing the depth of obedience through suffering.

2. This is Discipleship

• Jesus is telling Peter: Love will cost you your life.
  This is not unique to Peter—it’s the call of every disciple:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

• Jesus doesn’t hide the cost. There’s no sugarcoating here. Discipleship may lead to pain, loss, and even death—but it also leads to glory.
• "This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God." Peter’s death would not be in vain. Even in death, his life would bring honor to Jesus.

3. Love that Endures

• Peter had once vowed, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” (Matt. 26:35)
  He failed then. But now, Jesus assures him: you will have a chance to make good on that promise—and this time, you won’t fail.
• Grace restores us not just to peace, but to courage. Peter’s restoration enables him to face the cost without fear.

III. A Renewed Call – “Follow Me” (v. 19)

And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

These are the first words Jesus ever spoke to Peter (John 1:43). Now, they’re the last words He speaks to Peter in John’s gospel. Full circle.
The call hasn’t changed—but Peter has.

1. Not a Second-Class Disciple

• Jesus doesn’t give Peter a lesser role after his failure.
  There’s no “you can help, but from the sidelines.”
  Instead, He calls Peter again to lead: “Feed my sheep. Tend my flock. Follow me.”
• Failure doesn’t disqualify us from God’s call—it refines us.
  Peter isn’t just forgiven. He’s recommissioned.

2. Follow Me… Where?

• It’s not just an invitation to walk beside Jesus—it’s a call to walk in His steps, even to the cross.
  Jesus isn’t just restoring Peter’s identity—He’s revealing Peter’s destiny.
• Peter’s future will mirror Jesus’ own: from sacrifice to glory.

3. A Life of Purpose, Not Comfort

• Jesus doesn’t promise Peter an easy life. He promises a meaningful one.
• The world offers success, safety, and comfort. Jesus offers truth, love, and eternal purpose—but it will cost everything.
• And yet, Peter says yes.
  We know this because in Acts, we see a transformed Peter—bold, faithful, unshaken.

Application:

1. Jesus Restores What We Think Is Broken
   No failure is final when Jesus is involved. If Peter can be restored, so can we.
   Whatever guilt or shame you carry—bring it to Jesus. He doesn’t ask for perfection. He asks for love.
2. Love Leads to Mission
   If we say we love Jesus, it must show in how we serve others. “Feed my sheep” means caring for the hurting, guiding the lost, and nurturing the faith of those around us.
3. Following Jesus Means Surrender
   Jesus doesn’t promise Peter an easy life. He promises meaning, glory, and purpose. Following Jesus will cost us—but it’s worth it.

Closing Thought:
Peter failed spectacularly. But through love, Jesus lifted him back up.
Today, Jesus asks each of us, “Do you love me?”
If we say yes—He says, “Then follow me.”