John 21:15-25: Summary:

Summary: After breakfast, Jesus takes a walk with Peter, John following them. Savior and Sanctifier, He at once reproves and restores, wounds and heals Peter. To match his earlier denials, Jesus questions him three times about his love for Him. Peter affirms he does, but is grieved in a way that opens the path to grace. Jesus loves Peter, abides with Peter, and restores Peter to a leading place in the firmament of His Church. Tending Christ's flock seems to major on feeding it, and tending it just so will demand a courage that only Jesus can give. Peter will die for the cause of Christ, but God will be glorified in it. Relaying this, Jesus says to him as he said at first, 'Follow Me.' Peter turns around---to find John following them. Allowing Christ's call only a glancing impact, he concerns himself with John's path forward. Jesus, in Whose hand is our life and death, calls Peter to concern himself chiefly with the path Jesus walks, one of obedience through the cross to resurrection. He who has an ear, hear. As we do, our humble hope is to flood the world with the truth about Jesus Christ. May we decrease, but The Word increase.

Sermon Outline:

1: Following Jesus and Christian restoration. (21:15-17)

2: Following Jesus and Christian dying. (21:18-19)

3: Following Jesus and Christian living. (21:20-23)

4: Following Jesus and Christian ambition. (21:24-25)