Podcast Summary: John: Feed My Sheep (Christ’s Words To Peter)

Podcast: Apologetics
Host/Speaker: Apologetics
Date: September 5, 2025
Passage Studied: John 21:15–19

Episode Overview

This episode delves into Jesus’s post-resurrection conversation with Peter by the Sea of Galilee, focusing on Christ’s threefold question: “Do you love me?” and His charge for Peter to “feed my sheep.” The discussion explores restoration after failure, true Christian leadership, and the call to sacrificial discipleship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Peter’s Failure and Burden (00:00–05:30)

• Peter’s State: The episode opens by recapping Peter's denial of Jesus during His arrest and the emotional and spiritual weight he bore afterward.
  • “He’d had sleepless nights. He’d had to go into hiding… But on top of being worn down, there was this spiritual weight.” (00:45)
• Warning from Jesus: Reminded that Jesus predicted Peter’s denial (“Simon, Simon… Satan has asked for you”) and emphasized the universality of spiritual testing.
  • “For what it's worth, the same is true of you and I as well. Satan would desire to sift all of us like wheat.” (03:10)
  • “Even if the devil or demon never messed with you at all, you have enough sin right in here to mess you up.” (04:22)

Narrative Recap: John 21’s Setting (05:30–11:00)

• Fishing Miracle: The disciples, fishing unsuccessfully, heed a stranger’s advice, catch a large haul, and recognize the figure as Jesus—mirroring Peter’s original calling.
  • “Shortly thereafter, they deduced that this one…was Jesus…right when Peter was called, the same exact thing happened.” (07:00)
• Peter’s Response: Peter, upon recognizing Jesus, impulsively dives in to swim ashore—a return to characteristic enthusiasm.
  • “What did he do? He just dives on in…if you remember Jesus walking on water and Peter’s the one who thinks he can just accomplish the same thing…” (08:35)
• Meal with Jesus: The group enjoys breakfast cooked by Jesus on the beach, foreshadowing heavenly fellowship.
  • “When you have a divine chef cooking you breakfast, that's gotta be pretty tasty.” (09:30)

The Threefold Question and Restoration (11:00–23:00)

• First Question: Jesus asks, “Simon…do you love me more than these?” and tells Peter, “Feed my lambs.”
  • Action Required: “The word love is not simply this abstract emotion. In this context, it's a verb. It involves action…If you love me, in this context, feed my sheep.” (13:24)
• Second and Third Questions: Jesus repeats the question twice more, paralleling Peter’s three denials.
  • “When anything is repeated…it's repeated for emphasis…Jesus asked the question three times.” (16:12)
  • Peter’s Grief: “Peter was grieved…because he said to him the third time, do you love me?” (17:00)
• Command Variations: The episode unpacks possible meanings (feeding vs. tending, lambs vs. sheep) but leans toward a general call to shepherd all entrusted to Peter.
  • “Take care of those I'm entrusting to you…that's probably what we should take out of this text.” (19:03)
  • “If you love me...that love...should outwork itself in the love we have for others.” (20:10)

Broader Application: Leadership and Care (23:00–27:00)

• For Church Leaders and All Believers: While the words are meant for Peter, they apply to pastors, parents, caregivers, and any with responsibility for others.
  • “This mandate here is not just for leaders in the church…some relationship has been entrusted to you to caretake those that God holds dear.” (24:50)
• Evidence of Love: True Christian love is seen in care for others—tenderness, protection, and willingness to make sacrifices.
  • “How will they know that we're Christians? By our what? By our love.” (20:55)

Jesus’ Final Charge and Prophecy (27:00–34:00)

• Prediction of Peter’s Death: Jesus foretells that Peter will eventually be taken where he does not wish to go, signifying martyrdom by crucifixion.
  • “A day is going to come when you're going to be taken somewhere you do not wish to go…this he spoke, signifying by what death he…would glorify God.” (28:55)
• Call to Sacrifice: Jesus says, “Follow me,” inviting Peter—and by extension all believers—to a costly but glorious path of discipleship.
  • “Take up your cross and follow me. Exact same principle here.” (29:55)

Reflection: Who Follows Whom? (34:00–37:45)

• Misplaced Initiative: The episode warns against following our own plans and asking Jesus to bless them rather than following Him.
  • “That's the equivalent of charging ahead and looking over your shoulder to see if God is following…That's not what the words follow me imply.” (36:10)
• True Discipleship Costs: The challenge is posed to the listener to follow Christ’s lead, knowing it will have a cost but also a greater gain.
  • “If you follow him, it will cost you…even as he gave up everything, he gained everything, too.” (37:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Personal Failure and Grace:
  • “Jesus had warned him what he would do. He'd sworn it would never happen. Then he had done it. He had denied his Savior. How many times did he replay that moment…wishing that he could take it back?” (05:12)
• On Restorative Love:
  • “If you love me, Peter…feed and take care of the people that I entrust into your care.” (13:44)
• On the Threefold Restoration:
  • “The number three, guess what it corresponds with? How many times Peter had denied him. There's a symmetry…” (16:45)
• On Attitudinal Change:
  • “You can protect them from the wolves that are out there. But your sheep should know you on the basis of how you come alongside them and how you tend to their wounds…” (21:57)
• On the Cost of Discipleship:
  • “Peter, you're going to die. A day is going to come when you’re going to be taken somewhere you do not wish to go…you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you…” (28:36)
  • “This is a prophecy, not just a prediction, but a prophecy of the death that Peter would ultimately face.” (30:15)
• On True Following:
  • “The words follow me do not imply that Jesus follows you…His words follow me imply that you are looking to him for guidance and leadership...” (36:33)
• Final Invitation:
  • “Christ is inviting you to stretch out your hands to whatever end and to follow him at whatever cost.” (37:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Peter’s Denial and Spiritual Testing: 00:00–05:30
• The Beach Encounter and Fishing Miracle: 05:30–11:00
• Threefold ‘Do you love me?’ & its Meaning: 11:00–23:00
• Broader Application (Shepherding Others): 23:00–27:00
• Prophecy of Peter’s Death & Charge to Follow: 27:00–34:00
• Warning Against Self-Led Faith: 34:00–37:45
• Closing Prayer and Reflection: 37:45–end

Tone and Style

The episode is thoughtful, pastoral, full of gentle exhortation and biblical insight. The speaker uses repetition, rhetorical questions, and relatable illustrations to underscore the text’s relevance and challenge to modern believers.

This summary offers both a reference for those who missed the episode and a resource to revisit its main teachings and convicting moments for deeper study.