Total Dependence
A Lesson in Total Dependance
Mark 14:66–72 (NIV)
“While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.”
After Peter’s failure, Jesus was crucified.
After His resurrection, Jesus has another interaction with Peter.
To set the stage a little here, Peter has been fishing all night, but caught nothing. As morning came, Jesus yelled out to the disciples on the boat and told them to cast their net on the other side. When they did that, they caught a net full of huge fish. It was then that Peter recognized that it was the Lord who had called to them and caused the huge catch.
The disciples, led by the typically demonstrative Peter, who “threw himself” into the water to get to shore more quickly, ate fish—which, notably, were already on the fire when they got there—with Jesus for breakfast.
John 21:15–17 (NIV)
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
Notice that right at the start Jesus asks Peter if he loves Jesus more than “these.” What Jesus is asking Peter hinges on what is being referred to by the word “these.” The Greek word here is τούτων (toutōn).
According to the New English Translation (NET), “Three possibilities are suggested by Bible translators:
(1) τούτων (toutōn) should be understood as neuter, “these things,” referring to the boats, nets, and fishing gear nearby.” In this case, “Jesus, as he restores Peter and forgives him for his denials, is asking Peter if he really loves his previous vocation more than he loves Jesus. The choice being offered to Peter between material things and the risen Jesus would seem rather ridiculous, especially after the disciples had realized whom it was, they were dealing with.
(2) τούτων refers to the other disciples, meaning “Do you love me more than you love these other disciples?” The same objection would apply here: Could the author, in light of the realization of who Jesus is which has come to the disciples after the resurrection, and which he has just mentioned, seriously present Peter as being offered a choice between the other disciples and the risen Jesus?
This leaves option (3), that τούτων refers to the other disciples, meaning “Do you love me more than these other disciples do?” It seems likely that there is some irony here: Peter had boasted in 13:37, “I will lay down my life for you,” and the synoptics (Matt., Mark, & Luke) present Peter as boasting even more explicitly of his loyalty to Jesus (“Even if they all fall away, I will not,” Matt 26:33; Mark 14:29). Thus, the semantic force of what Jesus asks Peter here amounts to something like “Now, after you have denied me three times, as I told you you would, can you still affirm that you love me more than these other disciples do?”” --NET Bible.
I think this third option is very much preferred.
Jesus refers to Peter’s failure, but only indirectly. There is no hint of condemnation; no requirement that Peter ask to be forgiven; no penance or act of contrition required. Jesus merely shows Peter that bragging about how much he loves Jesus is not what Jesus wants from Peter.
Peter’s repeated response, “you know that I love you” shows that he is no longer making claims about himself. Instead, he defers to Jesus’ intimate knowledge of him. He does not set out to prove his love and devotion as we have come to expect him to do. Instead, he acknowledges that he is fully known and trusts that will be enough.
His actions in the moment were out of line with it, but Peter’s heart was one of love for the Lord because at his core he believed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”, the truth upon which the Church is built and stands. (see Matthew 16:16 and following)
His faith has shifted from faith in himself, to complete dependence on Jesus.
