Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: John 21:15-25

In this lovely, poignant passage, the risen Jesus spends one-on-one time with Peter. Walking along the lakeside which was filled with so many of their shared personal memories, Jesus draws Peter back to the heart of the matter: “Do you love Me?”

Peter had denied thrice that he even knew Jesus, and now he was given the opportunity to retract those denials with a three-fold confirmation: “Yes, Lord, You know I love You.”

In a most wondrous act of grace, Jesus also immediately restores Peter to his apostolic ministry. Each time Peter reaffirms his love for Jesus, Jesus clearly commits pastoral responsibility to Peter. He commands him, “Feed My lambs,” “Take care of My sheep,” and, “Feed My sheep.”

Human wisdom would suggest that Jesus ought first to have insisted that Peter prove his trustworthiness. We all understand that trust is earned, and that it is not easy to earn back someone’s trust after a blatant breach of that trust has occurred. Yet Jesus is not a mere man. Jesus knew what was in a person’s heart. Just as He had known what was in Thomas’ heart, so He now saw Peter’s heart too. Peter truly did love Jesus, and Jesus perceived that Peter’s commitment to Him, which had been found wanting, had now been purified by the fire of his failure, and that it would be strong enough to stand even the test of persecution (to which Jesus alludes in v.18-19).

Where does your heart stand with Jesus this morning? He already knows the answer to that question, but do you? Take some time now to examine your heart and then to express to Jesus not only what you feel about Him today, but also to tell Him how you want to grow in love for Him into the future. Let us pray …