Scripture:
John 21:15-17 ESV
[15] 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.” [16] 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 my sheep.” [17] 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.
Observation:
I have been thinking about this scripture for a few days now… but I’m not exactly sure why. I figure I’m supposed to break it down and see what’s going on here. Let’s set the stage. Jesus had been crucified and placed in a tomb, then rose back to life after telling Peter he was going to deny even knowing HIM. Peter, however, was sure of his love for Jesus and, of course, stood on the fact that he would die for HIM. Until he saw the beating that the son of GOD received. The fear that he was next kept Peter from admitting to knowing HIM at all. In fact, it wasn’t just once that Peter denied knowing HIM but 3 times just like Jesus had predicted. Now, several days after the crucifixion, Peter and the fellas had decided to go fishing. See Jesus cooking breakfast on the shore. Peter gets out of the boat and runs to him, and they eat breakfast together, something Peter thought would never happen again. That’s when it happened. Jesus looked at Peter and asked him… “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Peter’s response as he sat there looking at the risen savior was a resounding “Yes LORD you know that I do.” Jesus replied,” Feed my lambs.” As the conversation continued, Jesus repeated the very same question to Peter. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” I’m sure at this point, Peter had a look on his face that said… I just answered this question, and I’m not sure why HE is asking me again, but here we go…”Yes, LORD, you know that I love you.” Again Jesus said than tend my sheep. So by the time the question was asked, a 3rd time, I could almost picture the frustration on Peter’s face. He knew that he loved Jesus, yet, just a few days earlier, he denied that he even knew HIM. The response from Peter, I’m sure, was to the point… you know everything… in other words, you knew that I was going to fail, you know that the fear was going to be too much, you told me I was going to deny you, you said it all before I did exactly what I said I wouldn’t do. You know everything. You knew that in that moment, I would be a coward out of fear for my own life, and you knew that we would be right here right now and that you would have to restore me. YES LORD, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING… YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU. Even I’m my moment of weakness. I love you. I want us to notice one thing. After every time, Jesus posed the question HE gave instructions to Peter. You see, Peter had a job to do. Feed the sheep. Tend the lambs. Jesus had chosen Peter, and HE had a specific task for him. Even after a major fall where Peter denied even knowing Jesus at all the love that Jesus had for Peter was not taken away, it was unconditional, and that day on the shore, Peter was restored to right standing or righteousness because of the love that was shown on the cross. Because of the grace that flowed before anyone placed a hand on the SON of GOD at all. HE looked through time and saw that moment on the seashore and said, “That’s the man I need to bring this all to glory.”
Application:
Man, I could go on and on about my failures in life. How many times have I been faced with decisions and made the wrong one? Things I have said that would make someone think I have no love for Christ at all. When Deep in my heart, HE is all I think about. Thank the LORD that it’s HIS love that restores me. DC Talk has a song from years ago that is titled “What if I Stumble.” And at the beginning of it, there is a man talking. The words he says have had an impact on my life. He says something to the effect… the number one cause of atheism today is someone saying they love Jesus yet denying HIM with their lifestyle, which is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. We might be looking at Peter and thinking… after walking on water, seeing Lazarus raised from the dead, and so many other absolute miracles… how could he deny Jesus at all? Before you go any further with that thought. Let me ask you a question. Where in your life are you doing something you know the book says not to? Even if you think no one knows. GOD does, and HE has looked through time and said I need him/her. I have a specific task for them. HE has seen you on the seashore being restored and told you it was going to happen. GOD’S grace is nothing less than absolutely amazing. HE knows you, HE made you, and HIS love will restore you. Listen, I have fallen so many times that I’m not sure I can count them all… but each time I have fallen, my heavenly Father always creates a moment on the shore with Jesus. Where HE restores me strengthens me and puts me back in right standing with HIM. So that I can finish that task HE has set before me. So my point to all this is… you may be thinking that you have messed up and there is no way that GOD can forgive you. But I want you to listen… Peter denied even knowing HIM after walking on water and was restored. Another is nothing you have done that HE can not repair. You just have to run to HIM, not from HIM. Stop hiding HE already knows… and HE loves you anyway. Sit next to HIM and be restored. It’s never too late. Let me say this, and then we will pray. The book of Proverbs was written by the wisest man who ever lived, and in it is this saying…” A righteous man falls 7 times, but he gets up 8. I believe a quick explanation is in order. 7 is the number that represents completion in the bible, and 8 represents new beginnings. It is not the fact that we fall. That makes it a problem it’s what happens after the fall that we need to pay attention to. Again, get up, sit next to HIM, and be restored by HIS love that never fails. It’s the only answer.
Prayer:
Father, you have looked through time and seen every failure and flop, every broken promise. Yet you still hold true to yours. When we are unable, you are more than able. When we can’t. Father, you can. Where we are weak, you fill in the gaps. We never want to be outside of the right standing with you. But we all fall short. Restore us to redeem us and rebuild us when you fall. We do love you even when we have made wrong choices. We love you. We are weak, but you are strong, and it’s in our weakness that your strength is seen. Help us to be found using what you gave us for the kingdom it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.