Have you heard this riddle? There were 100 sheep in a fold, one escaped how many were left?

All scripture is from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise indicated

This morning I would like to draw your hearts and mind to John 21:15-18. This has to be one of the most moving and challenaging moments in Peter's life. It is after the resurrection of Jesus now stands on the shore watching His disciples fishing. He is first recognized by John who in turn tells Peter. In 21:7 we read of Peter putting on his coat, jumping into the water and swims for shore where the Lord is awaiting Peter and the others by a small camp fire. Soon all His beloved disciples are gathered around Christ enjoying a hearty breakfast of newly caught fish. After they have eaten Jesus turns to Peter and in front of all the disciples Jesus asks, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?' He said to Him, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Tend my lambs." It is said by some scholars that Jesus is asking whether Peter loves Christ more than his fishing. However, the context seems to indicate whether Peter loves Christ more than the others. Either way Christ is asking Peter who and what is more important to him. Simon Peter's immediate response is, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Can you imagine what is going through Peter's thoughts? Here in front of his fellow disciples he is being asked a question that is rather challenaging. Is Peter humilated? Ashamed? Heartbroken? Remember in verse seven Peter leaves his fellow disciples and jumps into the water the moment he saw Christ? Doesn't that the action of a man who is so happy to see a friend that he doesn't help drag in a net so filled with fish that it takes the effort of all to haul it in rather he jumps into the water swimming to meet Christ. John doesn't tell us but I picture Peter  reaching the shore and throwing himself at the feet of Jesus, who warmly welcomes him. Now, he is being questioned as to his love for Christ. In 21:16 "He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.' He said to him,' Shepherd my sheep." Then in 21:17 Jesus asks Peter a third time "Do you love me?" Peter now is deeply hurt as he replies "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, 'Tend My sheep."

In Mark 14: 30 Jesus tells Peter that he will deny Him three times. Peter is shocked that the Lord would say such a thing. After all wouldn't he draw his sword in Christ's defence in the garden?  In John 18:15-18, 25-27 as Jesus is being questioned by His enemies Peter at the same time tells three different People he does not know Christ, has no knowledge of who He is. I remember seeing a artist's conception after Peter's three denials. Christ is just being led out and down the steps of the sanhedrian councel chambers and Jesus is looking with sad eyes at Peter, Peter is lookinging away, his face covered in shame, tears streaming down his face.  Have yoy ever betrayed someone because you didn't want to be associated with them? What thoughts, what feelings did you experience? Have you ever denied knowing Christ when someone asked if you were a christian? Have you ever knowingly gone against the teachings of our Lord because you didn't agree with them or were too embarassed? Did a quiet voice within you remind you who were?, who you represented? What you had just done?

As Peter is asked three times by Christ whether He loves Him, of what is or is more important to him I wonder what went through his mind, how did he feel and how did he respond? I will discuss this in more detail in Part 2