It is written, it is finished
The following is the last of the devotionals covering 40 days:
36. Painful Memories
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 21:17)
Jesus loved Peter. For all his shooting-from-the-hip answers and hot temper, God used him to build the first-century Church. Peter was the person appointed to bring the Jewish people the good news about the way of Jesus. Remember that Jesus used Peter’s greatest failure and pain to prepare him for his mission.
Peter confessed the deity of Christ at the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter swore his allegiance to Jesus above his own life. But when Jesus was on trial, Peter turned his back on the Suffering Servant. He denied Him, denied Him, and cursed in denial of Him. Jesus knew the weakness in Peter’s heart and told him in advance that he would deny Him. When Peter heard the rooster crow the third time, he was crushed. Peter knew he failed Jesus and believed he himself was a failure.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He met His disciples on the shore. He took Peter aside to question how much he loved Him. He asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” Jesus brought to the forefront Peter’s greatest failure. Jesus was not ashamed of Peter’s failings, but He did not hide from the pain in reminding Peter of the truth. Peter understood what Jesus was saying even as he was hurt by Jesus’ words.
Jesus knows our failures and the suffering that they cause. He knows we, like Peter, cannot understand the Almighty’s work in our midst. A crucified King who would rise again to life on the third day? Enduring defeat in order to achieve ultimate victory? God does not abandon us in our ignorance. Instead, God teaches us in the midst of His forgiveness, grace, and reconciliation.
Jesus told Peter the high cost of following Him. He prophesied of the horrific death that lay ahead of Peter. Was this punishment for Peter? No, Peter was forgiven and beloved and commissioned to spread the best news across the entire world. Jesus told Peter, “Follow Me,” the same call He first extended to Peter when He found him fishing. So much had changed in those few years; everything had changed, except for the love of Jesus and the privilege to follow.
Jesus used a memory that Peter would love to forget to remind Peter of something that he must never forget: Jesus’ deep love and trust. God allows painful, awful things like denial and betrayal to show how much He loves us. Let us not live in fear of our past or present pain. Let’s live by the truth of God's love and our call to love like Him, regardless of the cost and no matter our past.
Jesus, we accept Your mercy and strive to give Your grace to those who, like us, need it.
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