The Elephant in the Room

The elephant in the room- An english idiom for an obvious truth that is being ignored or goes unaddressed. It is based on the idea that an elephant in a room would be impossible to overlook; thus people who pretend the elephant is not there might be concerning themselves with relatively small and even irrelevant matters compared to the looming big one

John 21:15-19 (context: post resurrection)

1. Peter was a broken believer

Simon --> Peter (whatever you are now, you will become a rock/stone)

But Simon-Peter is a good name for him since he had his ups and downs

Peter walked on water, but Simon took his eyes off Jesus
Peter confessed Christ, but Simon then got rebuked
Peter witnessed tranfiguration, but Simon put his foot in his mouth
Peter prepared the passover, but Simon wouldn't let Jesus wash his feet
Peter was asked to watch and pray, but Simon kept falling asleep
Peter risked his life for Jesus, but Simon did it with the sword/violence
Peter claimed that he would never deny, but Simon denied 3 times

Matthew 26:31-35 --> 69-75 (major issue: 10:32-33, big elephant in the room)

Can you resonate with Peter?
Is there a big elephant walking around this sanctuary near you today?
It might not be a verbal denial, but some aspect of your life is denying Christ
Perhaps your words about your love for Christ don't match your actions
You're called to be "Peter" but you're living like your old self
You know there's an elephant in the room, but you just worshiped as if he wasn't there
But Jesus knows you're a Simon

2. Jesus brought the issue up

3 Things in the text indicate that Jesus, in John 21:15-19, is bringing up Peter's denials

a. The context is the same "when they had finished eating"
b. The issue is the same "more than these"
c. The number is the same "a third time"
d. These are the only 2 occurrences of a charcoal fire in John

Jesus is alive and bringing up the issue even today. Perhaps through His word, your conscience, a friend, a sermon.

Will you deal with the elephant or keep pretending?

Why are we afraid to deal with it?
a. Afraid God won't forgive?
b. Afraid how others will react?
c. Just flat-out prideful?

Why won't we have a 'hard' conversation with a friend?
Jesus is a 'good' friend by bringing up the elephant.

3. Peter responded with honesty and humility
a. Agape more than these? Peter says Phileo (but doesn't compare to others)
b. Agape? Phileo
c. Phileo? Phileo

Peter is being honest & humble here. Before he had claimed something very much like perfect love (Willing to die for Jesus even when all others left Him). But now he is admitting that his love is not the perfect kind of love. He is no longer comparing his love to the love of others. He's open (you know all things) and honest about the state of his devotion to Christ. He's not just broken (hurt), but he's willing to follow Jesus (v. 19).

4. Jesus restored Peter's relationship to Him and the church
a. Feed my lambs, take care of my sheep (now you are ready)
b. Predicts his faithfulness (v. 18, in contrast to prediction of denial)
c. Reminds him of the key (v. 19)

The elephant had left the building!

(Whiter than snow)