Introduction:
Have you ever been so grieved by something you said or did that you had trouble sleeping at night? Peter absolutely had one of those experiences after he denied Jesus three times. Think about how much his heart must have hurt to look Jesus in the eyes and promise that he would always follow him, just to deny knowing Jesus three times that same night. His actions must have eaten at him even after the resurrection. I’m sure Peter was puzzled how he could have fallen away from his promise to follow Jesus so quickly. But here is what Jesus does to help release Peter from this shame and guilt.
John 21:15-19
“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.’ 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 to my sheep.’ 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. 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.’ (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.’”
Think about it:
Think about it: Jesus knows that Peter’s hurt from denying him three times and Jesus intentionally seeks Peter out. They have breakfast together and enjoy a meal prepared by Jesus himself. After they finished, Jesus looked up at Peter and asked him three times, “Do you love me?” All three times Peter affirms that he loves Jesus. Why does Jesus do this? I believe part of the reason is to give Peter an opportunity to start fresh. For every time Peter denied Jesus, he was given the opportunity to look Jesus in the eyes and say “yes I love you.” Jesus wants your love. If you have a past that is filled with unbelief, or even denying Jesus as Lord, he is asking you now, “do you love me?” It’s an opportunity to start over again, for he is quick to forgive. Jesus ends his conversation with Peter the way it started years before…” Follow me.”
Take away:
Jesus wants your love regardless of your past.
Personal reflection:
Do you still have past sin and guilt that is eating you up? If so, just write out a prayer to God emphasizing your love for him. For he is a God that heals, and it starts with love. up? If so, just write out a prayer to God emphasizing your love for him. For he is a God that heals, and it starts with love.