Jesus Café Ministries - Scripture Squad - Does Jesus make us feel guilty?

The Scripture Squad responds...

From: OnlyOneWay_
Peter denied Jesus 3 times. In John 21:15-17, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him 3 times. Is this because Peter had denied Him? I know that Jesus would not make anybody feel guilty, but the Bible says Peter was grieved over this.

Dear OnlyOneWay_,
Before answering the specific question let's look at the bigger picture. It has been weeks since Peter's denial of Jesus prior to his conviction and crucifixion. Jesus has risen from the grave and has appeared to the disciples on at least three occasions. In these appearances Jesus has not mentioned Peter's denial, but certainly Peter has not forgotten. In Luke's account of Jesus' trial Luke 22:62 "And he (Peter) went outside and wept bitterly." We believe that Peter expected Jesus to confront him about this issue eventually.

Prior to the conversation in John 21:15-17 we find the disciples fishing during the night on the Sea of Galilee. They followed Peter's suggestion in John 21:3, "I'm going out to fish." Early in the morning a man appeared to them and when they told him that they hadn't caught any fish he told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat. The net immediately was filled to overflowing with fish, and one of the disciples, probably John, recognized the man on the shore as Jesus. While the disciples struggled to get the boat and the large catch to shore Jesus prepared a fire upon which was fish and bread. He asked them to bring some fish to Him and then invited them to breakfast.

This event would have reminded the disciples of an earlier miracle when Jesus had told Peter to let down the nets for a catch that almost swamped two boats as recorded in Luke 5:4-11. At that time He had said that they were to catch men rather than fish.

Preparing a meal for the disciples by Jesus was a sign of peace and reconciliation. John does not mention any conversation going on during the meal. Perhaps the disciples were in awe of eating with the Master and were reluctant to speak until Jesus did.

Notice how Jesus addresses Peter in 21:15. "Simon, son of John" this is the same way Jesus addressed him when they first met in John 1:42. Simon was his name before Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Peter). By calling him Simon he would have been reminded who he was before Jesus found him, who he was before Jesus saved him. Then Jesus says, "Do you truly love me more than these?" Jesus is saying, Simon do you love ME more than these, more than anyone, more than anything? His question to Peter is the same one that he asks each of us. Jesus had good reason to doubt Peter's heart, considering his earlier denial.

Peter responds, "Yes, Lord you know that I love you." Peter used a different word for love, which meant brotherly love. Jesus, speaking in Aramaic used the word translated in Greek as agape or the unselfish, unconditional love that comes from God. Jesus then said, "Feed my lambs." Jesus did not want to entrust his little ones (us) to someone who didn't love Him. Then Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?" Peter responded, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus is trying to get Peter to look inside himself before he answers. Jesus says, "Take care of my sheep." Literally shepherd or tend my sheep. Not convinced that Peter really understands the question Jesus says, " Simon, son of John, do you love me?" By now Peter was hurt or grieved. "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." Jesus emphasizes "My sheep." See John 10:14,27.

The question posed by OnlyOneWay was: "Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him 3 times. Is this because Peter had denied Him? We know that Jesus would not make anybody feel guilty, but the Bible says Peter was grieved over this." We believe Scripture indicates the answer is yes. However, if Peter had "gotten it" the first time Jesus asked if he loved him, we doubt that Jesus would have asked him the second and third times, but that's only speculation on our part. We don't think Jesus wanted Peter to feel guilty about his past failure, but He certainly wanted Peter to repent and be absolutely certain that he was a man Jesus could trust to feed and tend His sheep. Tradition tells us that Peter loved Jesus so much that he died a martyr's death by being crucified upside down.

- The Scripture Squad :
TCCaleb, TCCaff, RuthCCC & DawnCCC