1. Study John 13:36-38 and
Mark 14:72. Examine Peter’s failure. Why
is Peter weeping?
In John 13:36-37,
Peter, after being told he cannot go where Jesus is going, is so sure of himself and his
love for Christ that he boldly declares that he would lay his life down for Him. In
John 13:38, Jesus predicts that Peter will disown Him three times, and in
Mark 14:72, Jesus’ prediction comes true;
Peter denies Him three times within two hours. Peter failed miserably in the expectations
he had in himself; his convictions were more of bravado than faith. Peter realized that
Christ knew him better than he knew himself; Jesus was truly God. Peter saw Jesus looking
at him; he failed Jesus. Peter was very remorseful.
2. How is Peter restored? Study in particular
John 21:15-19. What do you observe? What
is the significance of verse 15? What type of "love" is Christ talking about? Is there
a difference in the verb "know" used by Peter in verses 15, 16, and 17? Why is Peter
hurt or grieving in verse 17?
In verse 15, Peter is addressed in his full and formal name. This only occurs
when matters are very serious. The question "do you love me" is in a very specific
manner regarding a clearly defined attitude toward the Lord. It is not a question of sentiment,
emotion, or intellect.
The word "love" that Christ used was agapao (v. 15 and 16) and
phileo (v. 17). Peter answered using phileo in all his responses. Both Greek words are
interchangeable but reflect different aspects of love. Agapeo refers to a reverent love,
a love esteeming the one loved. Phileo refers more to the emotion and deep passion of
love. Christ was asking Peter if he loved Him with every facet of love one could have: intelligent
and emotional, passionate and reasoned, reverent and simple.
Peter grieves at the third repeated question from Christ because he knows that
Christ knows him better than himself. Peter is hurt that Christ still doubts him. "You know
that I love you." In verses 15 and 16, the word "know" that Peter used was eido,
which implies to know or to be aware of. But he understands Christ’s question, and despite the pain
of perceived doubt, answers differently in verse 17 which is the key to Peter’s restoration to
Christ. In verse 17, the word "know", used twice, is ginosko, which means to know
in an absolute sense. Peter, knowing that he’s been forgiven, is resolute in his commitment to
Christ, and knows that he cannot do this on his own power. Without any doubt, Peter acknowledges
that Christ "knows", not in a superficial sense eido, but in a very deep, personal,
and absolute sense ginosko.
After failing to keep his word and denying Jesus, his Lord, Peter had deep remorse and was
repentant. After being lied to and rejected, the Lord still asks "do you love me?"
Jesus knew Peter's heart and restored and renewed his faith. In comparison, Judas Iscariot’s
remorse did not include true repentance; he did not believe that Jesus was the Savior, the true
Redeemer of sin.
"Beware of substituting superficial obedience for substantive life-change. We apply
biblical truth to areas where we're already applying it, not to new areas where we're not applying
it. Result: no noticeable change in our lives." Howard and William Hendricks.
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