A Question of Love

August 13, 2000

Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Rumford, Rhode Island

John 21:1-19

THE SETTING of the story in the last chapter of John's Gospel is a beautiful lake at sunrise. The wind has died off as it often does just at dawn, and some tired fishermen are rowing their boat through the rising mists the last quarter mile to the beach. The sail hung limp in the stillness, and the only sound was the thump of the oars against the sides of the boat.

It had been more than two weeks since Easter. The disciples had been in Jerusalem for the Passover It was then that Jesus had been taken from them and crucified. They believed he was alive- resurrected from the dead. They had seen him twice, except Thomas had seen him once. He had said something about meeting them back in Galilee. They weren't quite sure what to expect, whether they would start up their preaching from town to town again, whether now that Jesus had risen from the dead he might set up his kingdom- they really didn't know. The Bible makes that plain.

But they did know that life goes on— and they had to eat. Their boats were still on the beach— their nets were ready. Peter said: "I'm going fishing!" There were finally seven disciples who got into the little sailing vessel and went off into the evening to fish the night through. Now they were coming home empty and tired.

As the boat got close enough to shore to begin to make out shapes through the mist the fishermen could see a figure standing on the beach. The person on the beach called through the still morning air:

"Children— do you have any fish?"

He could have been a shopkeeper from Capernaum looking for fish to sell. He might have been another fisherman wondering where the fish were biting. But we know, and the disciples were soon to find out, it was Jesus Himself.

"Sorry! No— no fish!"

The answer came back clearly through the still air: "Cast your net off to the right side of your boat and you'll catch some."

It was not the first time these men had fished all night and come up empty. And it was not the first time they had been told to try again in the morning light. But as they began to draw their big net back in this time they thought somehow they had snagged bottom. As they kept pulling they realized the net was completely full of big fish.

John immediately said, "That's the Lord! Jesus is on the shore!" And before anyone could say a word Peter grabbed his robe and was over the side swimming and then wading ashore. The other six had their hands full with more than half a ton of fish. The cash flow of several fishermen was about to improve dramatically.

It was probably as Peter was wading up the beach he remembered that there was a cloud in his relationship with Jesus. He was so very happy to see him that he would jump overboard, but then he was afraid to ask him if he was really forgiven for denying him three times the night he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemene. So he just helped secure the boats and haul the nets up on the beach.

THE WARM FELLOWSHIP that followed that morning would never be forgotten by any of the seven men. Jesus already had a fire burned down to a bed of coals for broiling, and had some fish already cooking. He called to the men to bring some more from what they just landed. I don't know what they talked about around that breakfast fire. I know there were a lot of questions yet to be asked. Somehow I am sure that every one of those men was happy just to be near the Lord they loved. But in the heart of one of those men was a big, hard lump that wouldn't go away.

A TENDER PERSONAL SCENE is what came next.

Jesus got up and motioned for Peter to follow him down the beach. It was one of those very private times; only John tagged along. And he took notes. Jesus asked Peter some very tough questions that morning. Three questions— and yet they were all asked with the same words, or very nearly the same words.

Three times Jesus said to Peter— as Peter had denied Jesus three times– "Simon— son of John— do you love me more than these?

"Simon, do you love me?

"Simon—son of John— do you love me?"

Tough questions— and because John tagged along and took notes— and wrote the questions down— and they are part of our scripture— it must be that you and I need to answer those tough questions, too.

"Peter, do you love me more than these?"

OUR LOVE MUST BE BEYOND COMPARING WITH OTHERS

Before Peter denied his Lord and stumbled he "knew" that his love was stronger than anyone else's. His doctrine was purer. His understanding was truer.

But it is always the wrong approach to tell God we love Him in any comparison to others. "Lord, if all these deny you, I will still go to the death with you!" Or, "I could never love the Lord like that person!" If our faith must be in comparison and in contrast to others the chances are it is on shaky ground.

Some churches build their entire message and ministry on "NOT being like 'the unbelievers'." Jesus is not the spirit that takes shots at other followers. Peter had to say "I love YOU, Lord, and not in relationship to THEM."

"Do you love me?"

OUR LOVE MUST BE BEYOND COMPETITION WITH OTHERS

Life is NOT fair— some will have glamorous assignments. Some will die young. Some will suffer while others seem to prosper. Jesus told Peter that hard times loomed ahead for him. That didn't shake Peter. But Peter did say— "Look at HIM, Lord— the one following along here— what about HIM?" It was then that Jesus had what seem like harsh words for Peter. But they are words that every one of us need to take to heart if we are to really tell Jesus we love HIM:

"What is that to YOU? You follow ME!"

"Do you love me?" "Feed my lambs, my sheep!"

OUR LOVE HAS TO GO BEYOND THE WORDS OF CONSECRATION

Each time in response to Peter's anguished answer: "Lord— you know I do! You know I love you..." Each time Jesus said: "Then you take care of my lambs, my sheep!"

Love is more than warm feelings in worship services or quiet times. Peter understood that love is God, not Peter, at the center of life and all.

And it was then, and only then that in the same place as three years before- with the same words as when he started out— Jesus renewed Peter's call: "FOLLOW ME!"

SO, HOW DOES THIS INTIMATE STORY APPLY in a sermon on a Sunday morning in the summer of 2000 A.D.?

Somehow I want to hear Jesus— I want to make certain that there is nothing between Him and me— I want to answer His hard questions: "Lord, you KNOW I love You!"

I love you with a love that I will not compare to other's love. I will seek YOU– not the recognition from others that I am seeking you.
I love You with a love that does not compete for position. If I am in a place of responsibility, I hold it only on your command. I do not grasp. If you put me aside, or anywhere— in a hard place- that is your wisdom, your will— and I will love you!
I love you with a love that wants to be obedient. Not just words, Lord, but with my body, my reasonable service. With Peter I say "Lord, you know all things! You KNOW that I love you! Let me hear you say, 'FOLLOW ME!' "

Prayer Hymn - # 133 I Love You, Lord