Jesus Reinstates Peter
15 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.”
16 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.”
17 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. 18 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
John 21:15-22
Questions for Reflection:
Even though he failed by denying Jesus three times, Jesus did not release Peter from the calling he had for his life. What feelings does this bring up in you as you think about Jesus's calling on your own life?
Peter has a lot more "being with Jesus" to do on His journey. And Peter and John, while they may do life together are on their own individual faith Journeys. How often do you find yourself comparing your journey to another's? What encouragement or challenge do you feel in these verses?
Prayer of the Week:
Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed in You, to receive Your love and your Life and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I love you, I worship You and trust you and surrender my self and my story to You. Today I want to “be with You, Jesus” and live the next chapter of my “been with Jesus” story.
Father, Son, Holy Spirit fill me afresh with Your presence, grace and power. Thank you Father for loving me so well, providing for me so appropriately and caring for my deepest as well as trivial needs. You are a good, good Father. I confess that I often take your daily love and care of me for granted – I regret that and now receive with thanks your complete and total forgiveness.
Holy Spirit, please help me remember and recall the ways you have shown yourself strong in my life. Recalling stories of your goodness, grace and power give me courage to live this day relentlessly dependent on You and live it really well.
Jesus, I deeply desire to live a courageous life in Your name marked by deep faith, surrender to Your calling and filled with the presence of Your Spirit. I renounce fear, anxiety, worry, doubt and self-reliance as the leaders of my heart, mind and living. I receive You Spirit as the master of my mind and leader of my thinking. I trust You Jesus and am overjoyed that I get to live this day fervently following You. I can have courage because You are with me and live in me.
Holy Spirit, lead me into opportunities today which will take courage in order to follow You and be a witness for You in this broken world. I deeply desire the courage to love people well, (perhaps name of the people you already know you are to love well today) to surrender my “self”, to make Spirit inspired decisions, to bring Your kingdom at all times and in every way, to trust Your grace and live with passion the meaningful life You intend for me to live today!
Amen
