April 29
“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, 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 again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, 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 all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep,’” John 21:15-17.
There are a number of events from the life of the apostle Peter that are recorded in Holy Scripture. By occupation, Peter was a fisherman. He was a brother to Andrew, who “Brought him to Jesus,” John 1:42. Sometimes Peter made a wonderful confession of faith. On one occasion, when many of Jesus’ followers were forsaking Him, He asked the twelve disciples, “‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,’” John 6:67-69.
However, there were times when it seems as if Peter spoke without thinking, as we say. When Jesus warned Peter, “‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’” Matthew 26:34-35. All Bible readers remember the striking event on Thursday evening, when Jesus was taken captive at the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter wanted to see how things would end. However, he did not want to be recognized, so he followed at a distance. Then he joined the multitude in the high priest’s courtyard, where he was confronted three times as being one of Jesus’ disciples. Three times he denied being a disciple, and he swore up and down that he never knew who Jesus was!
Now the resurrected Jesus confronted Peter three times with the question, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” In the first question, He added the words, “More than these?” Peter had boasted that his love for the Lord was greater than that of the other disciples. The fact that Jesus added, “Son of Jonah,” which was Peter’s old name, made the question all the more searching. Was he really a new man, or was he the same old sinful Peter?
Peter was grieved that Jesus questioned him with the same words three times. The question really penetrated his heart. “Do you really love Me?” It must have reminded Peter of his denial three times not that long ago! Now to his claim that he really loved Jesus, and that Jesus, as the all-knowing Son of God, knew it without asking, Peter was reinstated as a disciple and follower. In answer to each question, Peter was given the responsibility, “Feed My sheep and feed My lambs.”
The Savior’s searching question can also touch the heart of each of us who say that we are believers in Jesus and that we are His followers. Jesus would ask you and me, “Do you love Me? Do you really love Me? Do you sincerely, really love Me?” We respond, as Peter did, “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You!” To that confession, what is Jesus’ response? “Then, show it! Show it by the way you live, speak, and act!” Our lives should be a testimony to the faith, love, and hope that we have in our hearts for the Son of God and our Savior! Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word,” John 14:23.
To the Corinthians, the apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is the mark of true faith – love for the Lord, who first loved us and gave Himself for us. Lord, increase our faith, love, and hope! Amen!