John 21:15-19 | Isaiah 53
Much has been made about this last recorded conversation between Jesus & Peter, and rightly so.
Many have pointed it out as a three-fold restoration of Peter’s three-fold denial. Others have noted the growing strength of the questions and answers regarding the nature of love (in the Greek text). It is also a reaffirmation of Peter’s leadership of the forth-coming Church. Further still, it is a simple model for the care of the people of the Church. With these things in mind (and many others), it’s quite the conversation.
From beginning to end, John portrays Jesus in some particular ways - as strong as anything, able to show forth miraculous signs and whip any argument thrown at him by the experts of the law. But also, as loving and humble as one who would wash the feet of his followers or meet with a Pharisee late at night for some deep, theological conversation.
John ends his gospel with a simple, yet strong conversation between Jesus and Peter. No fanfare in the sky, just a loving conversation between the two. The same Lord who conquered death on the cross also makes breakfast on the beach and goes for a walk with a disciple.
John 21:15-19
When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”
Isaiah 53
Who can believe what we have heard,
and for whose sake has the Lord’s arm been revealed?
He grew up like a young plant before us,
like a root from dry ground.
He possessed no splendid form for us to see,
no desirable appearance.
He was despised and avoided by others;
a man who suffered, who knew sickness well.
Like someone from whom people hid their faces,
he was despised, and we didn’t think about him.
It was certainly our sickness that he carried,
and our sufferings that he bore,
but we thought him afflicted,
struck down by God and tormented.
He was pierced because of our rebellions
and crushed because of our crimes.
He bore the punishment that made us whole;
by his wounds we are healed.
Like sheep we had all wandered away,
each going its own way,
but the Lord let fall on him all our crimes.
He was oppressed and tormented,
but didn’t open his mouth.
Like a lamb being brought to slaughter,
like a ewe silent before her shearers,
he didn’t open his mouth.
Due to an unjust ruling he was taken away,
and his fate—who will think about it?
He was eliminated from the land of the living,
struck dead because of my people’s rebellion.
His grave was among the wicked,
his tomb with evildoers,
though he had done no violence,
and had spoken nothing false.
But the Lord wanted to crush him
and to make him suffer.
If his life is offered as restitution,
he will see his offspring; he will enjoy long life.
The Lord’s plans will come to fruition through him.
After his deep anguish he will see light, and he will be satisfied.
Through his knowledge, the righteous one, my servant,
will make many righteous,
and will bear their guilt.
Therefore, I will give him a share with the great,
and he will divide the spoil with the strong,
in return for exposing his life to death
and being numbered with rebels,
though he carried the sin of many
and pleaded on behalf of those who rebelled.
Prayer
God,
What a master is Jesus, to bear innocence as a baby, humility as a child, servanthood as an adult and to have the capacity of your own divine power. He had the gall to stare down death and to sit with children at his lap. He calmed tempests on the sea and prepared meals.
I’m not asking for the same power to calm storms, God, but I do desire the capability to love so simply and serve so powerfully. I pray I hold this desire not for notoriety, but for the betterment of creation and your Kingdom.
So help me, God.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.