“Do you love me?”

 ^“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.” 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.” 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.” (John 21:15-17 ESV)

Three times Peter denied Christ. We saw it in Matthew 26:69, Luke 22:55-62, Mark 14:66-72, and in John 18:15-27. Prophesied by Christ, heard by Peter, and yet amid the seizure and mock trial of Christ, it happened. Peter always thought too much of himself, much like we do. This sin was devastating to Peter, as was Christ’s questioning of Peter in the verse today. John wrote that Peter was grieved. I cannot imagine.

In the confrontation with Peter by the crowd on the temple grounds, Peter knew they recognized him as a disciple of Christ. Even Peter’s accent gave it away, as did the acknowledgment of Malchus’s relative, who saw Peter in the garden at the time of the arrest when Peter cut off Malchus’s ear. In this denial, that was not Peter’s only sin, he denied, lied, cursed, and was in fear for his own life, which questions his understanding of Jesus as the Christ and the promised eternal life.

After these questions by Christ, Peter was redeemed yet again. He understood and truly had faith in Christ as the Son of God. Peter’s preaching in the Book of Acts was moving to say the least. The scriptures tell us 5000 men were saved that day; this does not count the women and children who also received salvation.

Both John Piper and John McArthur alluded to something that we should learn from this scripture. When we are saved and we sin, we are essentially saying, “God, I desire this more than you at this moment.” Knowing what we are doing is sinful, yet we do it anyway, much like Peter. We have been warned through the Scriptures by Christ, Paul, John, and others that we will sin, and yet we must remain faithful to the Lord, the Gospel, and not lose hope.

I say this because you will stand before God, and He may ask you three times, “Do you love me?” Know that God forgives our sins. Not just the past ones, not just the white lies, not just the occasional fall into sin, but all of them. A repentant heart is known to God. When you fall on your knees and ask for forgiveness, for strength to resist that next temptation, and to receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you are forgiven, reconciled like Peter.

My friends, do not hold in your joy and hope in the Lord. There are those who do not know Him and live in sin and deny Him every day. Spread the hope of the gospel; your words could change someone’s life forever, and ever.

If you do not know Christ and are curious or want to know more about salvation through grace and faith in Jesus Christ. Please contact us at In Messiah Ministries. We can show you the Scriptures that will help you understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace.