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. John
21:15-17
How
do you feel when someone asks you the same question more than once? “Are we
there yet?” As much as we start off patient, it doesn’t end there. But, why do
they keep asking?
Kids
aren’t asking “Are we there yet?” They’re making a statement: “I’m tired of
riding in this seat. Other twelve-year-olds don’t sit in a car seat. Let’s get
there already.” But, other repeated questions can be more troublesome.
Are
they asking because they didn’t hear my answer the first time? Are they just
not paying attention to what I have to say? Or, are they asking because they
don’t trust me? Ouch.
Peter
felt that Jesus’ questions fell in the last category. Jesus asked about Peter’s
love for Him three times. Maybe this was to balance out Peter’s three denials
of Jesus (John 18). Cue the rooster.
Jesus’
intent wasn’t to taunt Peter. Jesus loved him. Perhaps the three questions did
counter the three denials. Jesus’ heart was toward reconciliation. This was
three strikes, you’re in.
God’s
heart toward us is always toward reconciliation. From Eden until now, God
always wants to reconcile with us. Even His hatred of our sin betrays His love
for us. God doesn’t want anything to stand in the way of our relationship with
Him.
No
matter who you are. No matter what you’ve done. God hasn’t given up on you. God
will never give up on you. He isn’t like us. His chances don’t run out. God is
not in a hurry. He will wait until we have run through all of the solutions and
scenarios. When our excuses are all used up, God will step in. If we want to be
left to ourselves, He will do that too.
What
have you done that you feel might be too big to forgive? God is always ready to
forgive. All you have to do is ask. Now, there may be damage to relationships
that will take a lot of work over time. But, God’s forgiveness is immediately
available.
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