"18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . .
"22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles," 1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-23
The world says the way God loves us, the sacrifices He has made, the actions He has taken in loving us is stupid. None of it makes sense to the world.
Reckless Love has 3 characteristics:
1. ACTION
"16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
2. UNREASONABLE
"God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21
3. CARELESS
"there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God." Romans 3:11
No one was looking for God. Jesus was a surprise. People didn't ask God for the sacrifice of Jesus. God did it any way because He wants to be in relationship with all of us.
The Apostle Peter -- impulsive, brash, really right and really wrong.
"Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[a]
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same." Matthew 26:31-35
Peter's the one who says it. Peter is the leader. Pete's the front guy. He has pride issues.
Just 6 hours later:
"54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly." Luke 22:54-62
Ground shaking! It's one thing to follow Jesus; another thing to watch Jesus beaten and killed. Jesus looked straight at Peter. It must have been soul splitting to be in Jesus's gaze.
Peter comes back because of Jesus's crazy love.
Fallout of pride and Denial
"Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), 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." John 21:1-3
Peter screwed up so bad he just decided to quit and go back to his old life. Jesus has other ideas. This becomes a reset for Peter.
"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." John 21:4-7
Peter was in the worst part of his life. Jesus repeats the miracle of the fish he did for Peter when Jesus first called Peter. This is the reset. In John 20 Peter is not mentioned in the two times Jesus appears to the disciples. Possibly Peter was staying the background, avoiding Jesus. And Jesus allowed this. The work within Peter needed time to fully come about. Then in the above verses Peter wants to come back to Jesus so bad. He remembered! He wants to regain what he has lost. He didn't want to abandon Jesus. Jesus knows this. And Jesus wants him back. Jesus was the one who made the first move in this relationship.
"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." John 21:15-17
The first two times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him Jesus uses "agape." Peter answers using "philo."
The last time Jesus uses "philo."
Agape is loving fully like God loves us.
Philo is loving like a brother.
Jesus is being incredibly gracious to Peter and Peter knows it. Jesus is God. He cannot be our brother until we also acknowledge Him as God.
"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!”" John 21:18-19
"Follow Me!" is a demand, a command. To follow Jesus we have to recklessly love. Like Jesus does. Like Hosea did with his prostitute wife Gomer. Love and don't worry about it. No matter if the other responds you still keep loving.
But then Peter shows us one last shot of pride...
"20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”" John 21:20-21
Jesus put a firm end on their conversation here. It doesn't matter what others do or say, we need to follow fully and love recklessly. Love like God does, not like the world does. Romance is easy. God's love is so big.