Don’t Hold Back From Coming To The Lord, Even If You Feel Burdened By Regrets Or Remorse.

Restoration

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs.” Again, Jesus said, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.” The third time, He said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you dressed yourself and went where you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then He said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:15-19 NIV).

Setting the Scene

It’s helpful to pause and imagine John as an old man recording these memories after a lifetime of experiences. By the time he wrote about these events, Peter and the other disciples were probably all dead. John knew he had to include this crucial moment in the life of the brash disciple who had been so confident during the Last Supper that nothing could keep him from being faithful to Christ. Then, he discovered that a little servant girl’s question was enough to cause him to deny Christ.

So on this morning, Jesus pulled Peter aside for a probing question posed three times: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Simon had denied Jesus three times; the Lord gave him three opportunities to declare his love. Peter’s answers were not the boisterous affirmations he might have voiced earlier. There was a painful humility in the fisherman’s responses: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love You.” By the third time, Peter was wondering what was up. John suggests he was hurt by the repetitions. His third answer was a slightly revised version of the previous ones: “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Peter was helplessly saying, “Look, I’m only trying to tell You what You already know, Lord.”

Each time, Jesus told Peter, “Feed My sheep.” He was restoring the disciple’s role as someone who could serve Him. He was assuring Peter he had work to do with others. 

Getting Personal

How would you answer Jesus’ question, “Do you love Me?” Why?

If Jesus said to you, “Feed My sheep,” what relationships and responsibilities might He be directing?

If you have been avoiding restoration in your relationship with Jesus because of pain or shame, what keeps you from coming to Him right now?

Despite Peter’s shocking failure, Jesus wasn’t done with him. Peter becomes our prime example of how grace overcomes failure and sin. It’s not the gravity of the sin that matters but the willingness of a sinner to be restored by the only one Who can restore him, Jesus. 

Talking to God

Don’t hold back from coming to the Lord, even if you feel burdened by regrets or remorse. Bring all your weaknesses and failures to Jesus, the Great Restorer. Ask Him to redeem your wrong choices and help you to walk with Him.

Don’t Hold Back From Coming To The Lord, Even If You Feel Burdened By Regrets Or Remorse.

Veerman, D. R.  (2011-08-25). Life Application Study Bible Devotional.