Become
Notes
Transcript
5Bs Week 5 – BECOME
After following Jesus’ relationship with Peter, we come to that last recorded account of Jesus (incarnate – in the flesh) interacting with Peter. With his last words to Peter, he continues to ask him to follow Him and BECOME more like Him
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “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, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him 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, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
After Jesus asks Peter to confirm his love to him three times and reestablishes Peter’s pastoral ministry, Jesus indicates that Peter will imitate him even to the point of death by crucifixion. Then his last recorded words to Peter are “follow me” indicating His call to Peter to continue to follow His lead and become more like Him even if He is not with him physically.
“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!”
After Jesus asks Peter to confirm his love to him three times and reestablishes Peter’s pastoral ministry, Jesus indicates that Peter will imitate him even to the point of death by crucifixion. Then his last recorded words to Peter are “follow me” indicating His call to Peter to continue to follow His lead and become more like Him even if He is not with him physically.
What Can We Learn From This?
1. A key part of the five B’s is that they don’t stop at believe. Of course, belief in Jesus as savior is what we want for those we’re leading, but that’s really just the beginning of the Christian life. From that point on, we’re all on the journey of BECOMING more like Jesus. Jesus himself supports this point in his relationship with Peter. Jesus doesn’t just dismiss Peter once he declares belief in him, but Jesus continues to challenge, encourage, and invite Peter to follow him.
2. Becoming more like Jesus means taking up your cross and following him. Peter eventually did this literally in his death by crucifixion. We are called to do this daily by dying to ourselves and living lives that are surrendered to God.
Challenge For Students (Can be used within lesson, and/or as small group questions):
1. Have you ever wanted to become more like someone? How did you go about doing that?
2. Jesus asks Peter to follow Him even though he knew he wouldn’t be around in the flesh much longer. How do we follow Jesus without Him being physically on earth with us?
3. Are you willing to become like Jesus even to the point of discomfort, sacrifice, suffering?
4. In , Jesus says to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” What are ways you can take up your cross in your daily life?