Wednesday, February 21, 2007
So What About Him?
Making comparisons seems to be part of life. This is especially true when we think someone has a better deal than us or has been allowed to get away with murder. People tend to look for ways to justify their actions by finding somebody else who messed up even worse. We see others having special privileges or different stuff and want to know why.
The sinful heart makes comparisons and finds reasons to want what others have. Not only does it want what others have, it wants more than them. And if we are going to go through something tough, we want others to share in the misery. Simon encountered this challenge right after Jesus forgave and affirmed him.
Jesus then spoke a prophecy about how Simon in his old age would be taken and crucified. This is exactly what Simon feared most as a young disciple. But later in life, Peter embraced this reality with boldness and faith. Simon then asked what would happen to John. Maybe he wondered if all the disciples would share the same fate. He tried to compare his destiny to that of his fellow disciple, John. Yet he learned that they had different paths to take.
Jesus said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Basically, Jesus called Simon to follow the unique path set before him regardless of what would happen to other disciples. Making comparisons tend to get us in trouble. Jesus is the only true measuring stick for the devote follower of Christ.
Jesus wanted Simon to follow Him. That is the call of a disciple to be like Jesus.
The sinful heart makes comparisons and finds reasons to want what others have. Not only does it want what others have, it wants more than them. And if we are going to go through something tough, we want others to share in the misery. Simon encountered this challenge right after Jesus forgave and affirmed him.
Jesus then spoke a prophecy about how Simon in his old age would be taken and crucified. This is exactly what Simon feared most as a young disciple. But later in life, Peter embraced this reality with boldness and faith. Simon then asked what would happen to John. Maybe he wondered if all the disciples would share the same fate. He tried to compare his destiny to that of his fellow disciple, John. Yet he learned that they had different paths to take.
Jesus said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." Basically, Jesus called Simon to follow the unique path set before him regardless of what would happen to other disciples. Making comparisons tend to get us in trouble. Jesus is the only true measuring stick for the devote follower of Christ.
Jesus wanted Simon to follow Him. That is the call of a disciple to be like Jesus.
Restoration
As great as the moment was, Simon must have remembered his denial. Maybe he struggled to look Jesus in the eye. Maybe he acted as if it had never happened. Although we don't know his physical posture that day, we know that he needed to be restored. Jesus knew that too.
Simon needed to fully accept forgiveness and his call. After they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these?" Jesus used the same name as when they first met. This was likely meant to remind him of his calling, and how Jesus had renamed him. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, which means "rock." This was a complete restoration not a partial one. God's mission for Simon had not changed despite his betrayal. Simon, the frequently misguided fisherman was to become a rock in Christ's early church.
Calling Simon by his family name, son of Jonah, may have reminded him of his redemption. Just like Jonah, God had to save Simon from himself. Both Jonah and Simon were stubborn men who would dare to say no to God. Most people today are no different. Simon's condition reflects the common position of all men as we stray from God. Jesus showed mercy here just as He shows to all men.
Simon's denial called into question his love for Christ. This conversation would further restore him. There are some areas that we may not want to address. But those are the places we need to let God question us and bring us back to full faith and right standing before Him. Jesus could have asked Simon almost anything. He could have asked Simon, "Do you fear me? Do you trust me? Do you admire me?" But the question He asked was, "Do you love me?" Love is always the core issue because it covers over a multitude of sins. If God has our heart, He will have all of us.
Simon had wept publicly, demonstrated his penitence and even joined the fellowship of the other disciples. He did not run from restoration like Judas did. But there was still something more that had to happen. It doesn't matter how sorry we are or how much we cry. The issue is our authentic love for God. It is this love that allows us to live for God and share the Gospel. Jesus had to know from Simon's own lips what his answer would be before he could trust him again with the original mission.
Jesus' response of "Feed my sheep" affirms Simon's call to lead other believers to deeper devotion and spiritual growth. This is the most loving thing that Jesus could have said.
Notice the phrase "more than these" this likely points to Simon's boast that he would never deny or leave Jesus even if all the others did. Simon proclaimed his ultimate love for Jesus during the Last Supper. But in this moment by the sea, Simon was humble. Instead of make comparisons or great boasts, Simon simply responded that Jesus knows that he loves Him. Jesus may have been pointing to the other men or the boat and nets or anything else of this world when he asked "More than these." From the context, it is not entirely clear what Jesus meant.
Jesus used the word agapao for love, which describes unselfish, sacrificial love. The kind of love that prefers the other person over oneself. Simon used the word phileo, which means to be a friend and to show affection to someone. Jesus described His deep love demonstrated on the cross. Simon responded by describing his love in a much weaker sense than what Jesus mentioned. While Simon loves Jesus his love is more limited than what Christ has shown to Him.
Keenly conscious of his own limitations, it appears that Simon is grieved that he cannot match Jesus' intensity. Notice that on the basis of Simon's love—so weak that he is ashamed of it—Christ restored his commission to "Feed my lambs." God will meet us where we are, and He will do the hard part of perfecting us if we will only admit our limitations and seek His strength. God knows how we are made and never expects us to be like Him on our own ability. Jesus takes Simon's love as imperfect as it is and uses it to fuel the early Church.
Christ's call for Simon to feed His sheep was designed to quicken the disciple to fulfill his office as an apostle. It also gave him the opportunity to publicly affirm his love and devotion. Jesus asked a second time, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" The second and third time Christ left out the comparison. Simon had gotten the point the first time.
Simon responded again just as before. He expresses his affection for Jesus while refusing to describe His love as sacrificial. This is very understandable when you consider that Jesus had become a human sacrifice for His followers. How could Simon every match God's limitless love?
Jesus asked a third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" This time Jesus said the phileo word that Simon used. The third question grieved Simon. It must have reminded the disciple of the depth of his betrayal. And it likely made him feel that Jesus did not believe him.
Simon responded by appealing to Jesus' complete knowledge of all things. He appealed to Jesus as the searcher of all hearts. These three questions were important. With each passing question, response and affirmation, deeper healing took place. This painful discussion ended with a final affirmation. It is as if Jesus was saying, "Now, Simon, the last speck of doubt and shame is gone. The cloud which hung over you since that night is gone. From this time forth, you are free from your past to do My work."
Simon needed to fully accept forgiveness and his call. After they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these?" Jesus used the same name as when they first met. This was likely meant to remind him of his calling, and how Jesus had renamed him. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter, which means "rock." This was a complete restoration not a partial one. God's mission for Simon had not changed despite his betrayal. Simon, the frequently misguided fisherman was to become a rock in Christ's early church.
Calling Simon by his family name, son of Jonah, may have reminded him of his redemption. Just like Jonah, God had to save Simon from himself. Both Jonah and Simon were stubborn men who would dare to say no to God. Most people today are no different. Simon's condition reflects the common position of all men as we stray from God. Jesus showed mercy here just as He shows to all men.
Simon's denial called into question his love for Christ. This conversation would further restore him. There are some areas that we may not want to address. But those are the places we need to let God question us and bring us back to full faith and right standing before Him. Jesus could have asked Simon almost anything. He could have asked Simon, "Do you fear me? Do you trust me? Do you admire me?" But the question He asked was, "Do you love me?" Love is always the core issue because it covers over a multitude of sins. If God has our heart, He will have all of us.
Simon had wept publicly, demonstrated his penitence and even joined the fellowship of the other disciples. He did not run from restoration like Judas did. But there was still something more that had to happen. It doesn't matter how sorry we are or how much we cry. The issue is our authentic love for God. It is this love that allows us to live for God and share the Gospel. Jesus had to know from Simon's own lips what his answer would be before he could trust him again with the original mission.
Jesus' response of "Feed my sheep" affirms Simon's call to lead other believers to deeper devotion and spiritual growth. This is the most loving thing that Jesus could have said.
Notice the phrase "more than these" this likely points to Simon's boast that he would never deny or leave Jesus even if all the others did. Simon proclaimed his ultimate love for Jesus during the Last Supper. But in this moment by the sea, Simon was humble. Instead of make comparisons or great boasts, Simon simply responded that Jesus knows that he loves Him. Jesus may have been pointing to the other men or the boat and nets or anything else of this world when he asked "More than these." From the context, it is not entirely clear what Jesus meant.
Jesus used the word agapao for love, which describes unselfish, sacrificial love. The kind of love that prefers the other person over oneself. Simon used the word phileo, which means to be a friend and to show affection to someone. Jesus described His deep love demonstrated on the cross. Simon responded by describing his love in a much weaker sense than what Jesus mentioned. While Simon loves Jesus his love is more limited than what Christ has shown to Him.
Keenly conscious of his own limitations, it appears that Simon is grieved that he cannot match Jesus' intensity. Notice that on the basis of Simon's love—so weak that he is ashamed of it—Christ restored his commission to "Feed my lambs." God will meet us where we are, and He will do the hard part of perfecting us if we will only admit our limitations and seek His strength. God knows how we are made and never expects us to be like Him on our own ability. Jesus takes Simon's love as imperfect as it is and uses it to fuel the early Church.
Christ's call for Simon to feed His sheep was designed to quicken the disciple to fulfill his office as an apostle. It also gave him the opportunity to publicly affirm his love and devotion. Jesus asked a second time, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" The second and third time Christ left out the comparison. Simon had gotten the point the first time.
Simon responded again just as before. He expresses his affection for Jesus while refusing to describe His love as sacrificial. This is very understandable when you consider that Jesus had become a human sacrifice for His followers. How could Simon every match God's limitless love?
Jesus asked a third time, "Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me?" This time Jesus said the phileo word that Simon used. The third question grieved Simon. It must have reminded the disciple of the depth of his betrayal. And it likely made him feel that Jesus did not believe him.
Simon responded by appealing to Jesus' complete knowledge of all things. He appealed to Jesus as the searcher of all hearts. These three questions were important. With each passing question, response and affirmation, deeper healing took place. This painful discussion ended with a final affirmation. It is as if Jesus was saying, "Now, Simon, the last speck of doubt and shame is gone. The cloud which hung over you since that night is gone. From this time forth, you are free from your past to do My work."
