Day 51 - Jesus Loves Peter

Big Scripture: John 21:15–19 (NLT)

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. 18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” 

Big Idea:

Peter denied Jesus three times. Even though Peter swore he never would do that after Jesus predicted it, he did. The guilt and shame of this was a heavy weight on Peter’s shoulders. In this beautiful story, we see how much Jesus loves Peter and how He restores Peter to a position of leadership. 

Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. Three times—just like the three times Peter had denied Jesus. The first time He asks Peter if he loves Him “more than these.” Remember, Peter went back to fishing. He thought the rest of his life would be like the start of his life, spent as a simple fisherman. But Jesus knew there were greater plans for Peter. Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him more than the old familiar life he knew—the life of a fisherman. 

Of course, if someone is called by God to be a fisherman, then there’s nothing wrong with that. That is exactly what they should do. But Peter had already been told that he was called to be a “fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19). God wanted Peter to share the story of Jesus: the gospel. God wanted Peter to make disciples and to lead the early church. When Jesus instructed Peter to care for and feed His sheep, this was a direct reference to pastoring and loving and serving the people Jesus gave His life for. Jesus was committed to seeing Peter walk free from the shame and guilt of his past mistakes. He reminded Peter of His original call to “follow me” and He gave him a glimpse of the road before him—not only the call to love people, but the cost of doing so. Through it all, Jesus loved Peter. 

Big Questions:

Big Prayer:

God,
Thank You that You don’t give up on me. Thank You that You find me when I feel guilty about what I have done and ashamed of who I have become. Thank You that You come to me to love me and not to judge me. Help me to regularly consider if I love You and if I am doing what You have called me to do. Help me to love You “more than these,” whatever that may be in my life: being popular, having certain things, feeling smart, the perfect relationship. Let none of those things crowd You out of the center of my heart. Thank You God that You love me faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.