5-20-07: Love Letter Number 4

This week's sermon is taken from the Gospel of John, chapter 21. We're continuing our study of some of the "love passages" in the New Testament. This week we're on "Love Letter Number 4" and the sermon's entitled "Feed My Sheep" as we look at Jesus' direct love intervention in Peter's life which sets him free from his shame and sets him up to lead the church.

 

If I could summarize this passage in one sentence, it would be this: Jesus teaches us humility without humiliating us. To walk with Jesus is, if we take it seriously, pretty rigorous: God works us. All of the disciples across time have learned this, God is not going to let us remain unchanged: God is building us in spirit and in character. But we have to bear in mind that the rebuilding God does is a work of love, it enhances us – it does not violate us.

In this passage, right at the end of the Gospel of John, the resurrected Jesus appears to a bunch of the disciples and speaks privately to Peter. Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him (more than these – which may refer to fishing or it may refer to other friends). Peter replies that he truly does, Jesus tells him to “feed (take care of) my lambs.” A second time Jesus asks; Peter says Jesus knows that he loves Him. Jesus says to “herd (take special care of) my sheep. Now Jesus asks a third time, using a slightly different verb for emphasis and Peter is hurt by the third question. Peter told Jesus that he knows everything, he knows Peter loves Him. Jesus tells Peter to shepherd his sheep.

I think two things are happening here.

First, Jesus is directly addressing Peter’s unresolved shame for his three-time denial of Christ (John 18) as Jesus was being led to his death by crucifixion. Sometimes we can act out of fear and be left so stuck in shame at our action or inaction that we cannot address who we hurt or what we did. Jesus has come to redeem Peter, to question his love three times is to underscore the three denials. But again, not to shame Peter, this is done to bring him to humility – an absolute requirement for a real shepherd (pastor) of Christ’s church. Let me underscore here that humility doesn’t mean denigration or worthlessness, on the contrary. Humility means the full recognition of our completeness based on the relationship with God. Paul later said, in Philippians, “I can do all things by the power of Christ who gives me strength.” But humility also reminds us that we have limits in our own self and understanding – we have to keep our focus on Jesus.

Second, Jesus is preparing Peter to be the shepherd, this is also mentioned three times to dramatize its importance. And here’s the call, if we love God, we’re called to take care of one another – be there for one another. Not everybody is a Pastor but everyone is called on to love and care. Remember, that’s Jesus surprising commandment, to love one another (John 13:34). And the sign of loving is caring and supporting each other. Love stands up and walks, it doesn’t stay static: “This is how everyone will know that you are My disciples, that you have love for one another.”

So, brothers and sisters, go out and love one another. If it’s easy to do, thank God. If it’s hard or nearly impossible to do, you’ll have to call on God’s Spirit to give you strength. Now you can really give praise to God.