The Radical Love Of Christ

Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus commissions him. Listen and find out why. 

Transcript

Gospel Reading:  John 21:1-19

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way:
 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus (pronounced “Did Eh Mus”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So, they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

The Message Today                 4/27/2025

Title: “Do you Love Me? The Radical Love of Christ.”

I get it. Three times. Jesus asked him three times. It brings me back to the times my mother kept asking me to clean my room. “THREE TIMES MARK, I ASKED YOU THREE TIMES!” I am sure we can remember those days in our childhood, can’t we? We know that Jesus asked Simon Peter the same number of times that Simon Peter denied him, yet there is so much more to unpack in these scriptures. I highlighted in bold several verses that stood out to me, and I am commenting on them. It is important to note the Reformed Church in America Theology that takes place in these statements. We will also come to understand a little bit more about our creeds and confessions in our denomination of the Reformed Church, especially as we lead into the Apostles Creed. 

We start off with verse 4 and 12: “4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus., 12 none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was him. What is happening here is at first, they did not recognize him, but later they knew it was him. There is a certain mystery, or awe, about Jesus’ appearance and it is consistent with other scriptures that relate to the appearances of Jesus: In Luke 24:13–35 (The Road to Emmaus), two disciples walk with Jesus for miles but do not recognize Him until He breaks bread. In John 20:14–16, Mary Magdalene sees Jesus but at first thinks He’s the gardener.  

Why did they not recognize him? There are several explanations that theologians (especially in the Reformed tradition) propose:

1. Jesus’ Resurrection Body Was Glorified

• Jesus rose with a real, physical body, but it was transformed — no longer bound by ordinary limitations (e.g., He could appear and disappear suddenly, John 20:19). His appearance was both familiar and mysterious. This aligns with 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, where Paul says the resurrection body is imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual.

2. Spiritual Blindness or Human Limitations

• Their grief, shock, and low expectations (they weren’t expecting a resurrection) could have prevented immediate recognition. It was not until Jesus called Mary by name (John 20:16) or performed a miracle (like the abundant catch of fish in John 21:6) that their eyes were opened.

3. Intentional by God for Revelation

• Jesus may have withheld full recognition at first to deepen the moment of revelation. Recognition often comes in relationship — when Jesus speaks, feeds, or restores — pointing to the personal nature of faith.
• Yet, we cannot assume that Jesus appeared as someone else. He was himself, the Risen Christ but his resurrection and glory perhaps made him look unrecognizable due to the disciples’ human limitations. In our Reformed Confessions we believe: Christ truly rose in body and spirit. His resurrection appearances confirm His victory over death.
• The mystery surrounding these appearances exalts His divine power and invites deeper faith (see Belgic Confession, Articles 18 and 19 — concerning Christ’s two natures and His resurrection). These articles are posted later in this bulletin. 

Thus, Jesus is not hiding; rather, He is revealing Himself in His glorified state, calling us to recognize Him by faith. So, He did not appear as someone else, He appeared as himself in his glorified and resurrected body. We recognize Jesus not by sight, but by faith. 

Now we get to the crux of the message today. Jesus’ radical love. However, there is a mention of love that carries a different meaning than what we may think. John talks about “7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” What did John mean about this? Just who was this disciple? Turns out, it was John himself. This was John in humility. This is what research tells us: “Throughout the Gospel of John, the writer refers to himself simply as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Early Church Fathers — including Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and Eusebius — all affirmed that this beloved disciple was John, the son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve Apostles. John chose not to highlight his own name but instead centered his identity on Christ’s love. His humility points us to an important truth: our worth and calling are found not in who we are by the world’s standards, but in being loved by Jesus Christ. The Reformed tradition holds that John’s Gospel faithfully reveals the person and work of Christ, calling us to worship the Lamb who was slain and to follow Him with our lives.”

Then we come to Peter who was questioned three times by Jesus, and there is a whole lot to unpack here. This is all about the radical love that Jesus asks us to have. 

In John 21, What Does "Feed My Lambs/Sheep" Mean?

When Jesus says to Peter:

• "Feed my lambs" (John 21:15),
• "Take care of my sheep" (John 21:16),
• "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17),

He is recommissioning Peter after his failure. He’s saying: Love me by caring for my people.

Lambs and sheep are images used for:

• Those who are already followers,
• Those who are vulnerable (like lambs),
• Those who need nurturing, protection, guidance.

This isn't limited to "the easy ones" — the mature, the obedient, or those "already cleaned up."
It extends to all whom Christ calls His own — including the weak, the broken, the messy, the difficult.

In today's world — polarized, judgmental, fractured — Jesus’ call to feed and care for His flock becomes even more radical.

It means:

• Welcoming those we find difficult or disagree with.
• Serving those who struggle, wander, or doubt.
• Loving those society (or even the church) might label "unworthy".

Because here’s the truth from Scripture:

• We are all unworthy apart from Christ.
• Yet in Christ, we are made worthy by grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).
• The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep — not just the well-behaved sheep (John 10:11).

The Belgic Confession (Article 27) also teaches that:

The Church is a company of true Christian believers, who expect their entire salvation in Jesus Christ, are washed by His blood, and are sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
It is for sinners, called to be saints. Thus, no follower of Christ is excluded from the call to be cared for — regardless of their flaws, struggles, or background.

So, what does this mean for us? It means to feed his lambs is to spiritually nourish people. We do this through love, mercy, and grace. To Care for his sheep is to defend, protect, nurture the vulnerable and the wounded, those inside and outside the walls of the church. To feed his sheep is to commit ourselves to their growing in Christ. This is all done through the work of mercy, mission, and discipleship. It requires radical love, patience, and humility as we remember that we were first loved while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)

So yes, "feed my lambs" today calls us to love all followers of Jesus, including those we might otherwise overlook, judge, or resist. Christ's command is rooted in grace, not merit. We are called to extend the same grace and care we have received.

When Jesus says, "Feed my sheep," He doesn't say, "Feed the sheep who behave well," or, "Feed the sheep who agree with you," or even, "Feed the sheep who deserve it." He simply says: "Feed my sheep." Because they are His, not ours. Because He died for them, just as He died for us. This friends, is the radical love of Christ.