A QUESTION OF LOVE

April 30, 1995
A QUESTION OF LOVE
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 actually seen him twice, except Thomas had seen
him once. He had said something about meeting them back in Galilee.

They actually 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 whogot into the little sailing vessel and went off into the
evening to fish the night through.

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.
He called through the still morning air: "Children-- do you have any
fish?"

He might have been a shopkeeper from Capernaum looking for fish to
sell. He might have been another fisherman wondering if the fish were
anywhere to be caught. 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." 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 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. [I know some ministers make a big deal out of
"agapeo" and "phileo." That's all right. But I don't think the main
lesson is as obscure as that!]

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?"

And 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 spring of 1995 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!"

1. 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.

2. 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!

3. 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

Sing with me: "I Love You, Lord"