Today’s passage: John 21:15-19
Helpful thoughts:
- Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night prior to Christ’s crucifixion. Now, Jesus allows Peter to affirm his love three times.
- After each of Peter’s affirmations (And not only after the third time), Christ commissions him to be a leader of the church. Peter was called to tend and feed Christ’s sheep.
- Jesus knew Peter would one day be martyred (crucified) for his faith, for his obedience to Jesus. The call remained the same, “follow me.”
Questions to consider:
- When Peter was asked if he loved Jesus, “more than these,” Jesus could have been referring to the fish (Peter’s trade and means of making a living), the other disciples (The approval of man) or he could have been asking if Peter loved Jesus more than all the other disciples did (A desire to be first place, to be proud). We don’t know which Jesus was referring to, and we shouldn’t assume he meant all three, but in what way are all three of these possibilities important to consider?
- Peter was right, Jesus does know everything, so why did Jesus ask Peter? What has the purpose of this series of questions? What was Jesus doing for Peter?
- Does it bother us that Jesus told Peter to follow Him even when He knew it would result in his death? Why or why not? Why is it worth the cost to follow Jesus? Why was death by martyrdom better for Peter than a long life rejecting/denying Jesus, both in this life and in eternity?