Andy Nagahara
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You must follow me!
(John 21:15-22)
A. Feed my sheep (15-17)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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.
B. Follow me! (18-19)
18 I tell you the truth, 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!”
C. You must follow me! (20-22)
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) Jesus calls us to follow him even though he knows that we are weak to the point that we would deny our relationship with him when faced with danger. Following Jesus means “tending his sheep.” In other words, we are called to love the people Jesus loves. Peter spent the rest of his life answering Jesus’ call to tend his sheep and we are called to do the same with our lives. We often focus on what others are doing but we need to remember that the Lord says to each of us: “You must follow me.”
21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Summary
Jesus calls us to follow him even though he knows that we are weak to the point that we would deny our relationship with him when faced with danger. Following Jesus means “tending his sheep.” In other words, we are called to love the people Jesus loves. Peter spent the rest of his life answering Jesus’ call to tend his sheep and we are called to do the same with our lives. We often focus on what others are doing but we need to remember that the Lord says to each of us: “You must follow me.”
For Discussion
1) Why did Jesus question Peter three times?
2) How did Peter feel toward John?