LEARNING TO BE A LEADER CAN BE HARD – PART TWO

After reaching the shore, the disciples emptied their net and in amazement found 153 large fish and were astonished that the net had not ripped in two. The mystery man who called out from the shore and encouraged them to go back out and fish some more, now cordially invited them to have breakfast with him. The disciples were petrified and dared not ask, “Who are you?” But in their hearts, they just knew it had to be their Master who had been crucified and then risen from death. This gracious stranger now took the bread and passed it around to them and did the same with the fish already on the grill. That’s when their eyes were opened the same way as those whom Jesus met on the road to Emmaus and they too realized they had been walking with the risen Lord. Little did they know at that moment, but this would truly be their last supper with Him.

But the real intrigue in this incident and the soon to be revealed personal conflict between Peter and John, the one all the other disciples believed was Jesus’ closest friend, began to unfold. Jesus already knew the future laid out for John as an evangelist; writer of the Gospel that includes the famous words in 3:16; and the prophet who would receive the Revelation of the end times. But He also knew about Peter who would be a leader and teacher; preaching on the Day of Pentecost; taking the message of Spirit baptism to Cornelius the Gentile; writing letters of encouragement to the churches; and a nemesis for Paul the Apostle.

After they had eaten the meal provided by Jesus, He pulled Peter aside to go for a little walk and ask him an important question. In addressing him, Jesus used a common practice employed when a person is taking an oath. For instance, when taking the oath of the office of President of the United States, the chief justice of the Supreme Court addresses the individual by their first, middle, and last name.

On this occasion, Jesus looked Peter straight in the eyes, and as He pointed at the other disciples loading up the fish to be taken into town He asked him, “Simon son of John, is your love for me greater than that of those others over there?” Peter looked over at Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two other disciples, and somewhat cautiously replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you like a brother.” Jesus looked into Peter’s face somewhat disappointed. You see, Jesus used the word “agape” for love, which means to love with all one’s heart. But Peter had replied with the word “phileo”, which means to be fond of someone as a friend. However, Jesus then encouraged him to be an instructor for the new followers He would leave behind. Jesus called them, “lambs.”

They continued walking, and Jesus turned to Peter again and repeated His inquiry, “Simon son of John, do you love [agape] me with all your heart?” Somewhat surprised that he was being questioned again, Peter answered once more with a little edge in his voice, “Yes, Lord, you know that I’m fond [phileo] of you as a good friend.” Perhaps, reaching out and patting Peter on the shoulder, Jesus said in a cordial way, “Then take care of those who have been following me and really believe in me,” This time He called them His “sheep.”

But Jesus wasn’t done, now comes the clincher and shocker. After walking a little further, Jesus once more turns to Peter and this time queries as if seeking the honest truth, “Simon son of John, is loving me [phileo] like a friend the best you can do?” Peter’s eyes opened wide and the shock of Jesus’ question was not only the fact that he was being asked a third time but this time Jesus used the same word for love [phileo] that Peter did. Hadn’t Peter once said he would die for Him? Now this was as a far as he could go in his commitment? With quivering lips and the scene of his triple denial flashing through his mind, Peter looked at his Lord and with an aching heart and tears in his eyes and replied, “Lord, you know me better than anyone; you know what a dear friend [phileo] you are to me.” Jesus once more spoke quietly and said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Just think, after all they had been through over the last 3½ years, that was the best Peter could do in pledging his love and loyalty to his Lord and Master. But that’s when things really got interesting.