The Unspoken Issue
Opening Prayer
Lord, help me avoid making rash promises to a God who may hold me accountable for them.
Read John 21:15–19
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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!”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me” (Psa. 139:1). Do you find this thought reassuring or threatening?
Peter had confidently said he would follow Jesus anywhere (John 13:36–38). Shortly after that Peter denied three times that he ever knew Jesus (John 18:15–27). This moving episode shows us how Jesus handles our well-meaning but rash promises and the failures that so often follow them.
I can’t help wondering what had been going on in Peter’s mind ever since that fateful cock’s crow. He had rejoined the disciples. He had met the risen Christ. Was the memory of his failure still haunting him? Was he expecting Jesus to reproach him in some way and say, “How could you do that? What were you thinking?” or “I thought you believed in me. Where is your faith?” When Peter met Jesus on the beach, did it bring back memories of that encounter three years previously when a miraculous catch first awakened him to who Jesus was (Luke 5:4–11)? Did the smell of the charcoal fire bring back the memory of the courtyard of the high priest? Jesus had said nothing about it when he was with them in Jerusalem (John 20:19–29). Now that he and Peter are alone, he brings up the unspoken issue.
Jesus knows what is in us better than we know ourselves. We too have failed, either by denying our Lord or not speaking up about our faith in him when the opportunity arose. We have all plugged our ears at times when he was speaking to us. We have all disobeyed him. Maybe we have pushed these memories to the back of our minds. Or maybe we are all too aware of them. Either way, Jesus’ word to us is the same as it was to Peter. There is no recrimination, just one simple question: “Do you love me?” (15–17).
“I love thee because thou hast first loved me, / And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree” (William R. Featherston, 1846–1873).
Apply
Ask Jesus for a spiritual medical check-up. Do not be afraid to hear the results from him.
Closing prayer
Lord, I know that You love me enough to search me and expose what You know is there, even though it may not be pleasant. Give me the grace to submit to Your plan.
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