JOHN 21:17

 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.

TO PONDER

Peter, one of Jesus closest disciples became the rock of the church, however his adventure with Jesus was not always a happy one. When Jesus was at his lowest, arrested with lies and false accusations being thrown around where was Peter? He was hiding and even more than that, he was denying that he even knew the man that he had left his life to follow. Peter is so adamant that he doesn’t know Jesus that he actually denies him 3 times! That is an important detail of the story, because notice what Jesus does when he has risen and appears to his disciples. He asks Peter 3 times if he loves him. This isn’t to upset Peter or make him feel bad, but rather to restore and make right all that had happened before. He then commands Peter to feed his sheep and indeed Peter does that! Jesus uses imperfect, broken and flawed people to do his work here on earth! But he doesn’t leave us in our broken state. In fact, he came to earth to restore us all and make right all that was turned upside-down and inside out. Praise God that he entered our experience and now calls us to join him in his amazing adventure!

PRAYER: Jesus, I am sorry for the times I have turned my back on you and denied all that you have done for me. Please forgive me and make me right with you. Thank you that you call me, a flawed person, into the adventure of a relationship with you. Amen.

Today's devotion written by Elise von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle