Key Text: He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said into him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest thatI love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep (John 21:17)
Simon (Peter) and Andrew became the first two disciples called publicly by Jesus. They would receive special training in bringing men into the kingdom by Christ. These former fishermen would become fishers of men with aggressive and personal evangelism, a major priority in the life of all true believers. There can be no greater calling than to serve Christ full time with every effort of our lives.
Peter gives his confession at the coast of Caesarea Philippi, a town in the extreme northeast of Galilee, near the source of the Jordan. Simon Peter’s “Thou art the Christ” and “the son of the living God” recognized and acknowledged openly our Lord’s deity. The Roman Catholic interpretation of the passage, “Thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church” is that Peter was the foundation stone of the church, a primacy for bishops and successors of the popes. Protestant interpreters tend to identify the rock with Peter’s faith or confession, or with our Lord Himself. Straightforwardly, Peter is meant by the rock, but that he is not the exclusive foundation. The New Testament church is a “church” in and of itself where “I will build” could be translated, “I shall continue to build.” And, Jesus promised that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The same Peter who denied his Lord three times, is asked “Lovest thou me?” three times by the Lord. Did Peter recognize the worth of Christ and did Peter esteem Jesus highly? In reference to the other disciples, Jesus asked Peter, “lovest thou me more than these?” After probing the sincerity of Peter’s love, Jesus commissioned Peter to “feed my lambs,” a pastoral office of caring for His sheep.
It is the church which is on the attack here and hell is on the defensive. Peter encourages true believers to be on their guard that they do not get dragged off with offers from false teachers. He encourages believers to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “To him be glory both now and for ever. AMEN!
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