We all have things in our lives that we regret, things we wish we had the chance to do over again. Some of us have more serious regrets – decisions we’ve made that had horrible consequences, and are really difficult to get over.
Peter is facing regret. He told Jesus at the last supper that He would never betray or disown Jesus. Then shortly after that promise, Peter said he never knew Jesus at all as he stood and was questioned in the courtyard of the high priest. When that rooster crowed 3 times, I’m sure Peter felt like dying. Peter seems to have a habit of doing or saying the wrong thing. At the Last Supper, Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet until Jesus told him if he didn’t, Jesus would have no part with him. Then in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter cut off the high priest servant’s ear, and Jesus had to heal the man’s injury. Earlier in Matthew 16, we hear the story of Jesus asking the disciples who they thought he really was. Peter replied that Jesus was “the Messiah, the son of the living God”. (verse 16) Then a few days later when Jesus was talking about His upcoming death, Peter told Jesus to stop talking. Peter said that death would never happen if he had anything to do with it. Jesus told Peter, “Get behind me Satan. You are a dangerous trap to me”. (verse 23) On so many occasions, Peter reacts quickly and then regrets what he has done.
In the verses in John 21 that we’re looking at today, we see Jesus making sure that Peter knows he is forgiven, and Jesus still has something special for Peter in the future.
John 21: 15 – 17 (NLT)
15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”
Jesus puts Peter through the ringer when He asks Peter three times if he loves Him. But Peter has to know for sure that He has been forgiven. It may not feel that great to be asked so many times, but later, Peter will have no doubt about being forgiven for denying Jesus three times. Things have been made right, and Peter knows he has a job to do. He will be leading the New Testament church as it begins after Jesus’ ascension to heaven.
If you have regrets about something you have done, or something that was done to you, know that Jesus loves you unconditionally. He has taken away your past, and He wants to give you a future full of meaning and purpose. We are not perfect people, and in this life, we will never be perfect. But God loves us completely and He has a job for each one of us here on earth.
Our song for today is Here in the Presence by Elevation Worship.