John 21:15-19
15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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. 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.” 19 (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.”
Main Idea
LOVE FOR JESUS IS DEMONSTRATED BY CARING FOR HIS PEOPLE AND IS DISPLAYED BY FOLLOWING HIM TO THE END.
Outline
LOVE FOR JESUS IS DEMONSTRATED BY CARING FOR HIS PEOPLE (VV15–17)
LOVE FOR JESUS IS DISPLAYED BY FOLLOWING HIM TO THE END (VV18–19)
Discussion Questions
LOVE FOR JESUS IS DEMONSTRATED BY CARING FOR HIS PEOPLE (VV15–17)
Jesus calls him “Simon, son of John” rather than Peter. What does this communicate about where Peter is emotionally and spiritually in this moment?
Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” and three times Peter responds by affirming his love. What do you notice about Peter’s responses?
Peter had failed Jesus terribly, yet he could still say, “Lord, you know that I love you.” What does this teach us about the difference between loving Jesus and perfectly obeying Jesus?
How does Jesus’ response to Peter demonstrate both forgiveness and restoration?
Each time Peter says that he loves Jesus, Jesus points him toward caring for His people. Why is our love for other Christians such an important demonstration of our love for Jesus?
Read John 13:34–35 and 1 John 4:20–21. What do these passages add to our understanding of the relationship between loving God and loving others?
The sermon identified comfort as something that can keep us from caring for others. How can a desire for comfort keep us from loving people well?
Who has God placed in your life right now that He may be calling you to more intentionally love, serve, encourage, or care for?
LOVE FOR JESUS IS DISPLAYED BY FOLLOWING HIM TO THE END (VV18–19)
After restoring Peter, Jesus tells him that following Him will eventually cost Peter his life. What do you imagine Peter was thinking as he heard this?
Why is Jesus’ final command, “Follow me,” so significant considering Peter’s history with Jesus?
Earlier, Peter boldly claimed that he would die for Jesus, but when the moment came, he denied Him three times. How does John 21 show us that Peter’s failure was not the end of his story?
What is the difference between allowing our failures to define us and allowing the grace of Jesus to define us?
Read Matthew 16:24–25. What does it mean practically to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus?
Peter eventually followed Jesus even when it cost him his life. What are some things following Jesus might cost us today?
Where in your life are you currently tempted to choose what is comfortable, easy, or safe instead of faithfully following Jesus?
What would it look like for you to follow Jesus faithfully in that area this week?
Looking Forward
This week, identify one person to love and one step of obedience to take.
Ask yourself:
Who is Jesus calling me to love?
Where is Jesus calling me to follow?
Choose one practical way to care for someone Jesus loves and one concrete step you can take to follow Jesus, even if it costs you some comfort.
Prayer Focus
Pray for…
A deeper love for Jesus that changes the way we live.
Confidence in Christ’s forgiveness when we fail.
Eyes to see the people God has placed around us who need love and care.
A willingness to sacrifice our comfort in order to serve others.
Courage to follow Jesus wherever He leads and whatever it costs.
Perseverance to follow Jesus faithfully to the end.
Peace Church to continue being a church marked by deep love for Jesus and genuine love and care for His people.