By Reverend Robert Hudson, Littleby Baptist Church
Peter, a follower of Jesus and one of His trusted friends, denied Jesus three times the night Jesus was arrested. Denying Christ is a sin, but thankfully our Lord Jesus provides a way to forgiveness. Something we see when Jesus and Peter talk after Jesus defeated death.
“When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.” John 21:15-17
In these verses we see Jesus ask if Peter loves Him three times. Each time Peter declares His love for Him and then Jesus gives him something to do. There are a couple of big things happening in these verses. The first is Jesus is forgiving and restoring Peter. It was good news for Peter, and it is good news for us. Peter sinned and out of His amazing love God forgave him. It may not be popular to say, but we are sinners. Thankfully our God loves us. If we submit to Christ’s Lordship over our lives, repent of our sins, and have faith in Jesus and what He did for us, we too are forgiven. In turn we receive the same grace that Peter received. An amazing gift that Jesus is offering to all who believe. An amazing gift of restoration.
After Peter declares his love for Jesus, he is given a task to do. He is told to ‘Feed my lambs’, ‘Shepherd my sheep’, and ‘Feed my sheep.’ Jesus was telling Petter to help other followers of Christ to grow. Care for them, pour into them, and teach them about Jesus and His message. In giving Peter a task to do Jesus is letting him know that regardless of how bad he believes his sin is, God can still use him. Peter denied Jesus three times and God still used him.
For the complete column, see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.
