Peter and Judas! Two men from different walks of life. Two men called as disciples. And two men who failed Jesus. One denied Him. One betrayed Him. So the question becomes… Why did Jesus receive only one of them back? The answer has to do with how each of them responded when confronted with their sin. Judas was remorseful. Remorse is when you feel bad by what you’ve done or when you’re caught. Repentance breaks your heart. It’s a grief that goes really deep. Repentance falls on your face before the Lord in shame and agony and in true sorrow. Repentance says, “I’m truly sorry, Lord. Will you forgive me?” We know Peter was repentant when he ran out of the courtyard in grief (Luke 22:62).
A repentant heart is one that is moldable. Jesus loves to work with a repentant heart. And Peter’s repentant heart comes full circle to this scene in John 21 in Galilee on the beach as seven of the disciples were eating breakfast with Jesus. The conversation might have been fun and engaging for a while, but then it becomes more serious when Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Peter, do you love me?” He didn’t just ask this once but three times. It’s interesting that Peter denied Jesus three times and Jesus asked the question three times.
Let’s examine this for a minute. The first two times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He used the word agape, which is the highest form of love – a self-sacrificing love. But Peter responded to Him with the word phileo – a brotherly love, like a friendship. I’m guessing that Peter, knowing he denied Jesus before, just couldn’t commit to agape love. Jesus finally uses phileo love. In other words, “Peter, do you at least call me a friend?” When Peter responded with YES LORD, Jesus puts before him his commission… “Then feed and take care of My people.” Hence, Jesus had restored Peter to leadership all because of his repentant heart. I’m thinking that this scene played over in Peter’s mind for years to come.
Here are two things that jump out to me from this beach scene:
1) Words are not enough! The church is full of people who declare their love for Jesus but their actions do not show it. I wonder if James was thinking of this scene when he wrote: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:17). Let me ask… are you leading people to truth, walking beside them, praying for them, and helping them grow into maturity? Because this is the way we prove our love for Jesus. Our verbal declaration of love for Jesus must be accompanied by our actions.
2) Our call is to FOLLOW HIM! The scenario on the beach takes a turn when Jesus described the way Peter would die – he would be killed. Well, Peter pointed his finger at John and said, “What about him, Lord?” In other words, is John going to die that way too? Jesus then said to Peter, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for YOU, follow Me” (John 21:22). That mandate is for you and me as well. Here’s the thing though… Jesus didn’t say to follow the church, follow your opinions, or follow your heart. No! He says, “Follow ME!”
Hence, we should follow Jesus first and foremost because He will always lead us in the right direction and He will NEVER let us down. Don’t get caught up in comparison because Jesus has a unique call for each of us. Don’t covet someone else’s life or ministry. All we are to do is FOLLOW JESUS. Let me encourage you to read this beach scene in John 21:15-23 on your own today, asking the Lord to speak to you.