Six Simon Peter: Hope After Doing Something Terrible: John 21; 1 Peter 5:8-11
SIMON PETER:
HOPE AFTER DOING SOMETHING TERRIBLE
John 21; 1 Peter 5:8-11
Simon son of John, do you love me?” That was Jesus’ searching question for Simon Peter, and it’s an equally searching question for you and me. Jesus put it to Peter three times in as many minutes. We who claim to be his disciples today should think of him as putting it to us at every turn of the road in our life journey.
Peter was a natural leader. He ran his own fishing business, and he was the kind of confident, warm-hearted, outgoing person who assumes command in every situation. For instance, at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” After the disciples had replied that different people were saying different things, Jesus came back at them and said, “But . . . who do you say I am?” And Peter spoke up, answering for them all: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16).
From these and other events recorded throughout the Gospels, we can see that Jesus, right from the start, saw Peter as a spiritual leader and prepared him for that role. But the story of Peter’s discipleship before the cross ends in spiritual disaster. Three times Peter denies that he knows Jesus, that he’s ever had anything to do with Jesus, that there’s any substance to the idea that he might be a disciple of Jesus. Near dawn Peter hears a rooster opening the day, realizes what he’s done, and is devastated. He weeps bitterly (see Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22). And who can wonder? He had said, “Though all the rest of them should disown you, I won’t!” But now he hears the cock crow. He realizes that disowning Jesus is precisely what he’s done.
Group Discussion. From what you know about Peter, what similarities or differences do you see between him and yourself?
Personal Reflection. When have you failed in a way that you never expected to fail? How did you feel afterward?
Peter wept bitterly when he realized he had denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:62). Beyond embarrassed, he was mortified. But around a campfire by the sea of Galilee the risen Jesus knew how to redeem the situation. Read John 21.
1. What visual images from John 21 stand out in your mind?
2. If you were Peter, what would you find difficult about this conversation with Jesus?
3. Why do you think Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?”
4. How would you answer that question from Jesus?
5. What specific actions should you take based on your answer to question 4?
6. What examples do you see in John 21 of Christ’s kindness?
7. What evidences do you see in this story of Peter’s loyalty to Jesus?
8. When have you experienced a time of restoration with God?
9. What continued influence has this restoration had on your life?
10. Read 1 Peter 5:8-11. Later in his life, Peter wrote this letter to Christian groups facing persecution. What changes do these words reflect in Peter’s character?
11. According to this closing passage in Peter’s letter, where does our hope lie?
12. As you look back over your own history with Christ, what changes do you see him making in your character?
Pray, including expressions of your love and commitment to Jesus, any reservations you have about the extent of your love, and ways you hope to do the work of showing love to Jesus and to his people.
NOW OR LATER
At a time when other people were leaving Jesus, Peter declared his faith. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Meditate on Peter’s words as you reflect on your own temptations to turn away. Talk to God about temptations to stray and your commitment to him.
Peter was a natural leader whom Jesus trained to become a spiritual leader. But he also became a follower—a loyal follower of Jesus. Reflect on the natural abilities to lead and to follow that God has given you. Pray about how God might be refining those abilities as he shapes you into an effective servant in his kingdom.
Read other biblical accounts of Peter’s life and writings; for example, Matthew 14:22-36; 16:13-20; Luke 5:1-11; John 6:53-69; 13:1-17, 31-38; Acts 2:14-41; 1–2 Peter.