You Follow Me

Introduction

We have reached the end of John. I have loved my sermon prep for this series. It’s been wonderful to spend so much time in the presence of Jesus. There’s nothing better than getting up close with Jesus. I hope this series has helped you love the Lord more, I hope you trust him, I hope you are eager to serve him, and I hope you are hungry to know him more.
The last passage in the book will certainly push you that way (read). Remember that Jesus and 7 of the disciples are by the Sea of Galilee a few days after the resurrection, and they just enjoyed one of the most special breakfasts of all time. Jesus’ arrest, Peter’s denial, and Jesus’ cruel death were traumatizing. They rejoiced over the resurrection, but Jesus wasn’t with them like he had been before, and they are nervous about what’s next. So, it was special to enjoy a quiet breakfast with the Savior. 
But Jesus knows the overwhelming pressures and responsibilities that are ahead for these men and especially for Peter their leader. So, Jesus’ purpose in our text is to prepare Peter’s heart and his head to lead the apostles in founding the church. In the process, he goes after your heart, and he challenges you to pursue his mission for you. There’s a lot going on in this text, but it all boils down to two questions. Do you love Jesus supremely? And will you embrace his will and his mission for you whatever the cost? My outline is built on 3 overarching challenges Jesus has for you. First…

I.  Love the Lord (vv. 15–17).

Verses 15–17 are one of the best known, most loved, and most preached passages in the Gospels. Unfortunately, they are also often misunderstood. I’ll explain as we go. We want to get it right. We want to truly hear the voice of Jesus. That said, Jesus does 3 things in this passage. First… 
Jesus restores the repentant. This is a vital aspect of the text that is easy to miss. John 1:42 says that when Jesus first met Peter, he said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter).” Cephas or Peter means rock. That nickname symbolized the fact that Jesus would build the church on the rock of Peter’s ministry. 
He never said Peter would be the pope or that there would be a continuation of popes. But he would use Peter to lay the doctrinal and practical foundation for the church. But Peter denied Jesus 3xs. That was a major blight on his qualification to lead the church. 
Suppose a mob broke into our service, put a gun to my head, and said, “Curse God or die.” If I cursed God, you wouldn’t let me preach the next Sunday even if I said I was sorry. Peter’s credibility was crushed.
So, Jesus must reinstate Peter for his coming role. That’s exactly what he does around a 2nd charcoal fire surrounded by witnesses. Remember that. It’s central to what is happening in our text. 
It’s also a beautiful reflection of Jesus’ grace. Peter failed. But Jesus forgave and restored Peter. He can do the same for you. Jesus is eager to forgive when you truly repent. Don’t run away; run toward him. Jesus’ 2nd great work in vv. 15–17 is…
Jesus calls for your love. When breakfast was wrapping up, Jesus looked directly at Peter and said, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” It’s a heavy question. We know this because Jesus uses Peter’s full name. 
It’s also a very personal question to ask around peers. How would you feel if Jesus asked you that question in front of friends? And it’s a confrontational question. Jesus doesn’t just ask Peter if he loves him; he asks if he loves him “more than these.” Some believe Jesus is asking if Peter loves him more than the fish or more than he loves his friends sitting around him. 
But in context, Jesus is clearly asking, “Do you love me more your friends love me?” That’s awkward. Imagine Thomas looking over and thinking, “Yeah Peter, do you think you are more spiritual than me?”
Why would Jesus ask this? It’s because Peter had said as much. For example, “Even though all may fall away because of You (maybe as he pointed at the other disciples), I will never fall away” (Matt 26:33). Or “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You” (John 13:37). 
So, Jesus is saying, “Peter you said you loved me more than these men. Do you still feel that way after you denied me?” Jesus wants to know where Peter stands. Has he learned humility, and (most importantly) does he love Jesus? 
Jesus has the same concern for you. He wants your love before he wants your proud boasts, your good works, your money, or anything else. Jesus’ most important question for you is also, “Do you love me?”
Peter had to feel taken back. But he firmly replies, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He doesn’t say “more than these.” Peter has been humbled. But his conviction is strong. Peter loved Jesus.
Many of you have probably heard someone make a big deal of the fact that Peter uses a different word for love. Jesus used the Greek word agapā, but Peter used philos. Many claim that this difference is the key to interpreting the whole exchange. They say that agapā is God’s love and philos is merely human or brotherly love.
But almost every major modern interpreter rejects that view. First, agapā is not synonymous with God’s love. John 3:19 says, “Men loved (agapā) darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.” 2 Timothy 4:10 says Demas abandoned Paul because he “loved (agapā) this present world.” And philos is not an inferior love. John 5:20 says, “The Father loves (philos) the Son.” Inter-trinitarian love is the greatest love, and Jesus describes it with philos. As well, remember that Jesus and Peter were speaking Aramaic, not Greek. They didn’t even use either term. 
But you’re wondering why does John use both terms? It must be significant. But we use variety all the time in our conversation without any significance. For example, look at Jesus’ 3 replies, “Tend My lambs,” “Shepherd My sheep,” and “Tend my sheep.” He’s not making some subtle point. He’s just saying the same thing 3 ways. So, Peter is simply answering, “Yes, I love you.” 
And he says it with conviction. He acknowledges that Jesus is the Lord and knows his heart perfectly. Jesus knows Peter loves him. Peter’s denial was not indicative of who he was. He panicked, and he sinned. But he loved Jesus.
But Jesus won’t let him off the hook. Peter denied Jesus 3xs, so he must affirm his love 3xs (v. 16). Jesus goes after Peter’s heart again, and Peter says a 2nd time, “Yes, Lord…”
(v. 17): Why does Peter grieve? It’s because Jesus keeps asking. He’s pressing Peter’s heart, and it’s uncomfortable. But it’s important. If Peter is going to found the church, he can’t do it by mere talent or duty. He must love the Lord. And for the 3rd time, Peter says, “Yes, ‘You know all things; You know that I love you.’” Peter’s love was stronger than ever.  
And God is asking you the same question. “Do you love Jesus?” Your answer is massively important. You can be a Martha and run yourself ragged, but Jesus won’t be impressed, and you will bear little fruit if you don’t love Jesus. You can know every theological detail about God in your head, but if doesn’t transform your heart and inspire deep love and passionate worship, Jesus is not impressed. 
Paul confessed “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Cor 5:14–15). Paul was amazed by the gospel, and it compelled him to love Jesus and that love controlled his life.
So, behold the Savior. Consider his love, his power, his goodness, and his sacrifice. Love Jesus. He is worthy. He wants your love more than anything else. Jesus calls for your love. Jesus’ 3rd great work in vv. 15–17 is…
Jesus establishes a model for ministry. Once again, Jesus replies 3xs with 3 commands, “Tend My lambs,” “Shepherd My sheep,” and “Tend my sheep.” Remember that Jesus said in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” 
Now Jesus commands Peter to take up his mantle and shepherd the sheep. And Peter will pass his mantle to every pastor. “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you…nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet 5:1–4).
The title pastor comes from the term for shepherd that Jesus uses in our text, and Peter uses in this one. I love the fact that Jesus made shepherds the leaders of churches. We aren’t just authorities and certainly not dictators. Jesus put pastors over churches with the gifts to lead, feed, protect, and love because Jesus is not just our drill sergeant. He is the “Chief Shepherd.”
Obviously, most of you are not pastors, but even so you should give thanks for the office of pastor Give thanks that God gave you shepherds, not drill sergeants. Then value the roll of shepherds in your life. Christians are not tigers; we are all sheep. We all need shepherds. 
Beyond that, even if you never become a pastor, God has called you minister to his people. Remember that every Christian, including the ones in your home, are Jesus’ sheep. They’re not your; they’re his lambs. You better care well for Jesus’ sheep. 
And be pastoral in how you serve them. Don’t “lord it over” those entrusted to you. Lead with love and with a strong example. That’s why Jesus presses Peter about love. Your love for Jesus is your greatest power for shepherding his sheep. Don’t manipulate and dominate; lead them to the love the Chief Shepherd and to follow him with all their hearts. So, Jesus’ first major challenge is to love the Lord. His 2nd major challenge is…

II.  Follow the Lord (vv. 18–19).

Verses 15–17 are pretty positive. How can you not feel good about loving Jesus and tending his sheep? But then Jesus gets serious and heavy (read). Jesus contrasts what Peter has done in youth with what he will do in old age. As a young man, Peter has and will continue to enjoy freedom. 
But Jesus prophecies that when he is an old man, he will be oppressed. Specifically, there is good evidence that in the Roman world “stretching out your hands” was code language for crucifixion. So, Jesus prophesies that when Peter is old, he will be lose the freedom to dress himself and will instead be stripped and humiliated the way Jesus was. He will be lead out to place of crucifixion, and he will be stretched out on a cross the way Jesus was.
Remember that Jesus’ crucifixion was fresh in Peter’s mind. Have you ever endured trauma, and the slightest reminder floods your heart with pain? Imagine how it must have hit Peter to hear Jesus prophesy that he would be crucified like Jesus. That’s heavy. Then Peter lived the next 3 decades with that shadow hanging over his head. Wow!
Verse 19 implies that by the time John wrote, Jesus’ prophecy had been fulfilled. Of course, we want to know more. Clement of Rome wrote in AD 96 that Nero killed Peter. Tertullian (212) later added that Peter was indeed crucified. And Eusebius (4th century) claimed that Peter was crucified upside down to distinguish himself from Jesus. His story is less credible but very possible. 
Regardless, Jesus knew the heavy road that Peter must follow. The same man who denied him must one day follow him to the cross. And Jesus lovingly prepares Peter to endure. I have 3 key applications from this prophecy.
Jesus’ will is often difficult. This is especially so in the work of ministry. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone you evangelized thanked you for loving them enough to share the gospel or your kids thanked you for loving them enough to discipline them? Sometimes, you give your heart to discipling someone, and they despise you for calling out their sin. Ministry hurts because the sword of the Spirit cuts open the nastiness of sinful hearts. 
And other aspects of Jesus’ will may also be difficult. Jesus may ask you to follow him through cancer, poverty, betrayal, and many other trials. Jesus never promised an easy path. That’s bad news, but the good news is…
You can glorify the Lord by fulfilling his will. Notice how v. 19 frames Peter’s crucifixion (v. 19a). Why did Jesus press Peter so hard about his love? It is because love transforms how you view sacrifice. 
Friday morning, I read 2 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about sacrificing for the Corinthians like a parent. It struck me, why do parents eagerly sacrifice for their kids? Because they love them. Parents don’t wait for pay back; they just keep giving because their love is deep.
When you love Jesus like that, it changes how you view sacrifice. It changed Peter and the other disciples. Acts 5:40–41 say the Sanhedrin flogged them, but “They went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for his name.” 
Your trial may be the greatest opportunity you will ever have to glorify the Savior. Don’t waste the opportunity with envy and bitterness. No, behold the Savior who laid down his life for you and rejoice that he considered you worthy to suffer shame for his name. Then…
Follow Jesus to death. In v. 18 Jesus gave Peter a crushing prophesy. And then v. 19 says, “And when…” Jesus is looking you in the eye, and he is also saying to you, “Follow Me.” It may be hard, but Jesus walks ahead of you and he is with you. Don’t be afraid. Follow him wherever he leads no matter the cost. Maybe you have been resisting him. You refuse to do something hard. Maybe you are grasping to something you love. Maybe you refuse to let go of bitterness or hurt. Maybe you are ignoring the ministry he has called you to fulfill. Tell the Lord right now, “I will follow wherever you lead.” If you are going to do that, you must obey Jesus’ 3rd major challenge.

III.  Embrace Jesus’ will (vv. 20–23).

Jesus just called Peter to follow him to the cross. The trauma of Jesus’ crucifixion probably hit him like a ton of bricks. He’s not sure what to do with Jesus’ call. It seems like too much. “Why me? That’s not fair.” 
Then he turns around and sees John, and he asks, “Lord, what about this man?” “Will John to crucified too? If I have to be crucified, he better not get off easy.” 
Isn’t that typical? When God’s will for you takes a hard turn, we are very quick to start noticing everyone who seemingly is better off than we are. When we struggled with infertility, it was easy to notice everyone with 4 kids. When my ministry is hard, it’s easy to think one of my pastor friends has it so easy. When you get cancer at a relatively young age, it’s tempting to ask, “Why me? Why not that other lady who is so much less spiritual?”
These kinds of thoughts are terribly destructive. They skew our perspective. You become blind to God’s blessings, and your thoughts isolate you from others. You begin to think you’re the only one. “Nobody knows, nobody cares, and nobody is suffering like me.” Your longing for things to be fair is one of Satan’s greatest weapons against you. You’ll be far better off if you stick a knife in the desire for life to be fair. 
That’s exactly what Jesus does for Peter in v. 22. Essentially, Jesus tells Peter, “Stop worrying about everyone else and keep your focus on me. ‘You follow Me.’” Jesus had a different will for John. From what we know, he was the only disciple to die of natural causes, but that doesn’t mean his life was easy. All the apostles suffered, and tradition says he was eventually banished to Patmos. The people that we think have it better often don’t.
But Jesus says, “Who cares. You follow Me.” And he is saying that same to you. Your life probably hasn’t turned out as awesome as you dreamt when you were 5 years old. Some of you are carrying heavy burdens. Maybe you wish you had someone else’s husband or wife, someone else’s job, or someone else’s home in paradise. More to the point of our text, God has called many of us to difficult ministry. Maybe you envy someone else’s life and calling. 
Jesus is saying, “What is that to you? You follow Me.” Stop worrying about everyone else and focus on Jesus. He is worthy of every sacrifice. It’s a privilege to glorify him. He is good, and he has been good to you. So embrace God’s will for you. Glorify him where you are. Make the most of your family or your illness. Take on your ministry calling with gusto because you believe in what God can do. Focus on Jesus and follow Jesus.

Conclusion

I began by saying that this passage asks two questions of you. Do you love Jesus supremely? And will you embrace his will and his mission for you whatever the cost? Your answers are vitally connected. You can’t do one without the other. 
So, I hope you can say with Peter, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Jesus is worthy of that love. John wraps up the book by affirming this fact. Verse 23 notes that there was a rumor going around that Jesus said John wouldn’t die before Jesus came back. If that were so, John’s death would destroy Jesus’ credibility. But John says, “No, Jesus said this as a hypothetical not as a prophecy.” Jesus’ word is true. Then he closes by driving home the factuality of this Gospel and by noting it’s only a fraction of the glory John observed (vv. 24–25). John loved Jesus, and so must you. 
So, embrace his will and his mission for you whatever the cost. Feed his lambs. Be a shepherd to the people God has placed around you. Take up your cross and follow Jesus wherever he leads.