RESTORED

JOHN 21:15-19
15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than
these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16 Again Jesus
said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus
said, “Take care of my sheep.”17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter
was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all
things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were
younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your
hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to
indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Intro: Have you ever lost something or misplaced something and you couldn’t remember where you had
placed that something? If you are like me you take that something and place it in a safe place where you
know you can find it again. The problem with this is that after a certain amount of time has passed, you
completely forget about where that safe place is located. Then one day you need to find that something and
low and behold, you just can’t remember where it was placed. You search the house for hours or maybe
even days when you stumble onto that secluded safe spot and then everything comes back to memory. Now
I knew why I placed that something in that safe place and you commit that place to memory for future use.
Has anyone ever followed that scenario? I have done just that any number of times. Or Have you ever felt
like you messed up something so badly that you could never get it straightened out? Or perhaps you did
something so hurtful that you felt you could not be forgiven for your wrong? That may have been the way
that Peter felt after denying Jesus three times the night our Lord was arrested and put on trial. Could Peter be
forgiven? Could be Peter used again? Can you be restored to full time Christian ministry such as Peter was
after denying the Lord three times?

Background: Peter, originally named Simon, was one of the first disciples called by Jesus and became a
leading figure among the Twelve Apostles. Known for his impulsive nature and strong devotion, Peter's
journey with Jesus was marked by moments of profound faith and human frailty. The most notable instance
of his failure occurred during the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, where Peter denied knowing
Jesus three times, as foretold by Jesus Himself. As we pick up the account in this passage, it has been about
two weeks or so since Peter had denied Jesus on the night He was arrested and tried. But before Jesus was
arrested, Peter had bragged that he would never leave Jesus’ side, even if every other disciple deserted Jesus
(Matthew 26:33). Really, Peter was bragging that he loved Jesus more than the rest of the disciples. But,
when Jesus was arrested, what did Peter actually do? He denied knowing Jesus 3 times.

Some wonderful things have happened since then, the most wonderful of course is that Jesus had
conquered death, was physically resurrected and had already appeared to many people including to the
disciples twice in Jerusalem. Jesus told them to go to Galilee where He has now met with them a third time,
but the circumstances were not exactly ideal, for when Jesus arrived in Galilee the seven disciples that were
present were not doing what they should have been doing, specially Peter, he was out fishing. As Peter was a
simple fisherman, after the death of Jesus, he went back to what he knew, fishing. He was not educated. He
was not of royalty. He was not of priestly birth. He was just a fisherman of common lineage. What could
anyone expect of him? He knew where his place was among men. He belonged to the lower class of Jews.
This is where he expected to live and die.. How does Jesus restore Peter?

1. Jesus restored Peter by reminding him of his compassion

The most important question that Peter ever face was whether he possessed a devoted love for his
Lord. Two Greek words for love is used here.

First question-“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you
know that I love you.
 Second question- , “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know
that I love you.”?”

Third question- “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him
the third time, ” “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

- love- the first one is agape- means an intelligent and purposeful love primarily of will and mind.
Jesus challenged Peter’s loyalty and this question would exposed of what is in his heart, asking him of
his level of love for Him. “Do you love me more than these?”. Do you love me more than these men?
Do you love me more than these things: boats, nets, etc? Do you love me more than your station in
life? Do you love me more than what you have right now, your work? And Peter did love Jesus more
than those things, a strong affirmation of his love. Second is phileo which involves a warm and natural
affection of emotions, a more personal and feeling love. Through these two words, agape and phileo,
Jesus indicated that Peter’s love must not only of the will, but also of the heart.

Notice that path that led to the full restoration of Peter, it started with a high Godly level and
finished at the personal level? God calls you from his level and then starts his work in you at the
personal level, at your level where you can relate to him. God calls for a higher, richer kind of love but
when we begin to walk in his ways we are unable to relate to his type of love till years later when we
become mature Christians. We have to begin our walk from our understanding of what love means to
us. We know that Gods’ love is so much more than what we have ever experienced but we are unable
to correlate it’s meaning. God has to come to our level of understanding or most of us could never
make that step of faith. The Holy Spirit fills our soul and makes that personal link we need into God’s
love. Peter is said to be “hurt/grieved” by the fact that Jesus had to ask him three times concerning his
love for him. How many times have we been grieved in the spirit because of something the Holy Spirit
questioned in our life? Have you ever been pierced through the soul because of some unproper action
or questionable event in which you took liberty within. He was hurt because he knew in his heart that
he had been wrong and needed to be forgiven by Jesus. Jesus question to Peter is the greatest question
for all believers. We must all have a personal heartfelt love for and devotion for Christ

2. Jesus restored Peter by reminding him of his commission

Jesus replies all three times to Peter with ““Feed my lambs, “Take care of my sheep, “Feed
my sheep,.” Jesus description of believers as lambs and sheep. Characteristics of lambs and sheep-
they are prone to wander into danger, that is why they need guidance, protection and correction, and
that is the mission of Peter and us- pastoral care and feeding constantly of the word to the new
believers on how to be a follower of Jesus.

It isn’t enough to be forgiven.! It’s time to fill your life with the work of Jesus and feed the
sheep. It’s great to be forgiven but if it’s not followed by action it’s fruitless. Peter was questioned
three times and given the charge three times to pick up where Jesus has left off. There is no doubt
that Jesus meant to fully restore Peter to his position of leadership in his church. When he denied
Christ three times in the faces of the enemy he acted unworthy as a follower of Jesus Christ. Now he
is given the opportunity three times to acknowledge his love for the Lord and three times he has been
commissioned to act as pastor of this group. Peter had failed but Jesus restored him and will use him
to teach and lead His people.

3. Jesus restored Peter by reminding him of his crucifixion

Jesus assures Peter of his future, Jesus told Peter at the end of this passage how he was going to die,
a kind of death that would glorify God. Should not this have hurt Peter more than being questioned
three times about his love for the Lord? NO! He was so overjoyed that Jesus forgave him and
commissioned him to His service that he was off and running before his feet hit the ground. this was
good news to Peter. He did not have a death wish, but the prophecy encouraged him that he would be
faithful to Jesus to the end. He could and would change from his past failures.

He cried out that he was unworthy to die the same death as his master. So he asked to be crucified
upside down. They honored his request and placed the cross upside down where he died by crucifixion.
He didn’t cry out for himself. He didn’t deny Christ the fourth time. He felt unworthy to die the same
death as the one he served. “…but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else
will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go”

Conclusion: Jesus knew Peter more than Peter knew Peter. He looked at the heart of the man who was
running from himself. His questions entered into the heart of what was the matter with Peter. He uncovered
all the answers to the questions; which Peter was searching. He helped Peter find the grace and mercy for
which he needed to receive healing of all the pains of life. Peter was forgiven and restored into the full
graces of his Lord. Jesus helped Peter to discover his hidden qualities for which he needed for his service as
leader of the group of apostles. His thoughts and attitudes were laid bare before the Lord and forgiveness
became possible

What is keeping you from a life full of service to your Lord and king? Have past mistakes made you
a failure in life? Has your pride gotten in the way of fully committing yourself to the service of Jesus? Jesus
is watching and waiting for you to decide what you are going to do next. He is still asking, “Do you love me
more than the things of this world and the life you lived before you met me? Do you love me? Do you really
have strong affection for me?

He is still waiting for an answer. He wants to offer you restoration (just like Peter) and an
opportunity for you to serve Him with your life. How are you going to serve him? When will you begin?
Peter failed and, in the failure, came the needed humility for change to occur. Jesus restored Peter and
commanded Him, “Follow Me,” and as Peter did, he was change. The Lord can do the same in your life.
Humble yourself before Him and follow Him and He will change you.

Do it now!