(John 21:15–19)

In dealing with Peter in this section, Jesus reverted to his original name ‘Simon’ (which means ‘the waverer’) instead of the name Jesus had given him, ‘Peter’ (which means ‘the steadfast rock’). So Peter was gently reminded of his inconsistency, and thus, no doubt, taken back to his denials. However, it is vital to note that Jesus restored him before witnesses and revealed that he would be steadfast right to death. Undoubtedly, none of the other disciples could hold Peter’s denials against him as Christ had forgiven these. In any case, they had all fled, and with the exception of John, were not around for Jesus’ trials as Peter had been; clearly, they were not even in a position to criticize him. The ‘more than these’ (v.15) means ‘more than these disciples do’; in other words, Jesus returned Peter to his affirmations of loyalty on the night of the Last Supper when he avowed that his loyalty was superior to that of the rest of the disciples (Matt 26:33). Peter, this time, refused to draw comparisons. He had learned a vital lesson: Christianity is not comparative or relative; the depth of Christianity is an individual matter between each disciple and his or her Lord.

The questions and answers between Jesus and Peter are best understood in Greek, for two different Greek words are both translated ‘love’ in most English versions and the distinction between the two is important. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you ‘agapao’ Me?” Peter answered “I ‘phileo’ you.” ‘Agapao’ means pure love of the highest order, ‘phileo’ is friendship, so Peter reduced the standard of love in his reply. The second question and answer were the same as the first, but on the third occasion Jesus asked, “Do you ‘phileo’ Me?”, thus reducing the standard to Peter’s level. That is why Peter was grieved, not because Jesus asked three times, but because on the third occasion Jesus let Peter know that his standards were inadequate. Christ requires the deepest, most loyal love of which a Christian is capable. Anything less is second best. To Peter’s credit, he had learned not to overstate his case.

Was our Lord not both gracious and practical to make Peter’s reinstatement public? This certainly left Peter’s position in the Church clear and, in particular, made it plain to the Church that Peter’s denials were forgiven and therefore that nobody was entitled to hold these against the man Christ had chosen to head the Church. Furthermore, the fact of Peter’s reinstatement affords great comfort to all of us, for surely there is not a Christian of any longevity who has not in his own way denied his Lord.

Even though Peter was not prepared to run the risk of overstating his affection and dedication for Jesus Christ, our Lord knew that he would indeed give Him the love He required, and in consequence would be crucified (vv.18–19). Peter’s loyalty was not in question; he would follow Jesus to the point of dying in His cause. This prophecy makes it as plain as can be that ‘agape’ is much more than sentiment, it is total commitment. All believers sooner or later ask the question, “How far is a Christian expected to dedicate his or her life to Christ?”; the answer is found in John 20:19 and also in John 15:13: dedication to Christ recognizes no limits, not even death.

--Mills, M. The Life of Christ.

SEA OF GALILEE - CHURCH OF SAINT PETER'S PRIMACY

Tabgha. The Church of St. Peter’s Primacy was built by the Franciscans in 1934. Using the local basalt stones, they built on the foundations of a Byzantine church housing the rock known as Mensa Christi or Christ’s Table. The church was built to commemorate the miracle of Jesus’ revealing himself to Simon Peter and the other disciples at Tabgha after his Resurrection, as described in John 21:1–17. The fishing had been poor that day and Jesus suggested that they cast their nets at the right side of the boat. As soon as they did so their nets filled with fish. After this the text goes on: “Jesus saith to Simon, ‘Peter Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me more than these?’ He saith unto him, ‘Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee’. He saith unto him, ‘Feed my lambs’”. Following this event Peter’s Primacy was recognized.