Do You Love Me?

John 21:15-17

As Peter sits by the fire with Jesus, he is likely overwhelmed with feelings of joy at the sight of his resurrected Lord. However, he is also battling intense feelings of shame. Just a few days earlier, he had stood warming himself by a fire and denied knowing Jesus three times (John 18:16-18). Now Jesus was back. What could Peter ever do to make up for turning away from Jesus as He was arrested to be crucified?

Jesus displays a beautiful truth in this interaction with Peter. Jesus initiates and completes Peter’s restoration. There was nothing Peter could do to make things right with Jesus. He needed Jesus’ divine mercy and received it by fire that day.

Before Peter denied Jesus, he said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake” (John 13:37). Peter confidently told Jesus that he wouldn’t fail Him. Peter had bold faith but also some pride. He was sure that he would not let Jesus down.

As Peter came face to face with Jesus after His resurrection, he was forced to recognize that he needed Jesus. Peter couldn’t follow Jesus perfectly. He needed the mercy Jesus earned for him on the cross. Jesus shows Peter that his sin is forgiven by asking him if he loves Him three times – the same amount of times that Peter denied Him.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. Peter is restored to Jesus and commissioned to be like Jesus: a shepherd to the flock. Peter’s life isn’t about himself anymore – it is about caring for God’s people and laying his life down for them just as Jesus did.

Though it may be difficult, think about your greatest failure momentarily. Where was Jesus when that happened? What did He do after? Just as Jesus waited on the shore for Peter, Jesus waited on the shore for you to come back to Him. Jesus gave you grace for your failure when you could do nothing to fix it. He restores you to Himself and commissions you to show others the love and grace you receive.

Remember that we have a Savior eager to forgive, restore, and commission us.