Happy summer, one and all, I'm back at the blog after a bit of vacation. Today, we continue with our focus on repentance. Recall in my last post that Peter was facing Jesus for the third time following His resurrection. The disciple had jumped ship and swam the length of a football field to reach his Savior. This was the moment Peter anticipated. Now was the time for Jesus to render His verdict in the case of Peter's denial.
Instead of encountering an irate Lord eager to render judgment, he found a compassionate Savior who invited His disciples to sit and eat with Him (see John 21:12, 13). It was only after they had their fill that Jesus addressed Peter, but not in the way he most likely expected. At that moment, the Prince of Peace asked him three questions. Here is the account:
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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.” (John 21:15–17).
Instead of encountering an irate Lord eager to render judgment, he found a compassionate Savior who invited His disciples to sit and eat with Him (see John 21:12, 13). It was only after they had their fill that Jesus addressed Peter, but not in the way he most likely expected. At that moment, the Prince of Peace asked him three questions. Here is the account:
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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.” (John 21:15–17).
Note how Christ addressed him as Simon rather than Peter, the name
He had bestowed upon him (see Matthew 16:18). Again, we observe how the Lord meets
us right where we are. More than likely, Peter was not feeling solid
like a rock in that moment, let alone part of the foundation on which
Christ was to build his church. The weight of his guilt must have been
enormous. Gone was his former sense of pride. The man who once
stood before Christ and proclaimed he would die for Him was now
broken and thoroughly humbled (see Mark 14:29–31). This was not a condescending
address on the part of the Lord. Use of the name Simon, as opposed to
Peter, would have allowed for a moment of reflection, back to a time
when this disciple first received the revelation that Jesus was the Son
of the living God (see Matthew 16:13–18). It was this understanding that led to his name
change and a wonderful vision of what was to come. That time was
now at hand.
Are you interested in the transformative process of repentance? Pick of a copy of my book, The Conditioned Mind to delve deeper.
Peace to you, and those you love!
Are you interested in the transformative process of repentance? Pick of a copy of my book, The Conditioned Mind to delve deeper.
Peace to you, and those you love!
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