Jesus Forgiving and Equipping Even the Biggest Losers: RRE 38
Religion Ruins Everything Daily 10.18.16 from One Life Network on Vimeo.
[15] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” [16] He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” [17] He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. [18] Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” [19] (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
John 21:15–19 ESV
Jesus shows us how to talk to people that have totally failed. Peter had denied Jesus, not once, not twice, but three full times during the events of the night before the crucifixion. Peter had let down his friend in one of the worst ways just hours after Jesus had said all of the things from John 15 about what kind of friends they were. When it says Peter went out and “wept bitterly” it is describing one of the most painful ways to cry.
But when Jesus sees him out fishing, Jesus loves him. Jesus shares breakfast with Peter (and the others) and then walks him through conversation that reconciles Peter’s guilt, Jesus’ forgiveness, and the original call to be a “fisher” of men.
Once Jesus establishes and convinces Peter of His love, He gives Peter a task. This is the same pattern that we saw the other day. Jesus calls people to Himself and then gives them something to do. This isn’t just work for the sake of work, but over the course of time, Peter will become more convinced than ever of Jesus’ salvation and his own calling and fellowship in that salvation.