John 21:15-25
Reflect
John concludes his writings with a tender exchange between Peter and Jesus. Peter must’ve felt embarrassed, ashamed, and uneasy by his threefold denial, and yet the Lord steps into the unfinished business and tends to Peter’s heart.
Jesus is not adding fuel to the fire or trying to rub salt on the wound, but He’s bringing His disciple to a place of true repentance. And we can tell by Peter’s response (v17) that it grieved Peter for Jesus to ask so many times. Jesus could have also left it at, “Do you love me?” and walked away without any sense of affirmation, but His forgiveness was laced with amazing and divine love that restored Peter.
“Feed my lambs; tend my sheep; feed my sheep.” In other words, Jesus was restoring Peter to a place of purpose, trust, love and leadership by commissioning him to shepherd God’s people. Peter would then take up the cross, preach to the Jews and Gentiles, and give himself fully to the gospel.
From folly to forgiven to friend!
Apply
In what ways has God’s forgiveness changed you? In what ways does it challenge you?
Extra Application for Families:
Buy/borrow/read, “The Friend Who Forgives: A true story about how Peter failed and Jesus forgave.” - Dan Dewitt and Catalina Echeverri
Pastor Nathanael
Pray
- Pray for our childcare team, the children and their families this week. Pray for a new Director.
- Pray for our Audio/Visual Director, Grant Mix.
- Pray for our Lead Team Pastor, Terry Okken and his family.