Do you truly love me

Sometime after the resurrection of Jesus and before his ascension into heaven, Jesus met the disciples one morning after they had come back from an unsuccessful night’s fishing. Jesus was standing on the shore but they did not recognise him at first. He told them to let down their nets again and when they did so, they got so many fish that it filled two boats.  John immediately recognised that it was Jesus on the shore. Impetuous Peter then grabbed his outer garment and jumped into the water to be the first to get to Jesus.

Now I know that if I had denied Jesus at the very moment when he needed me most, I would not have been in a hurry to meet him again. I would have been so embarrassed and ashamed but that shows I do not know Jesus like Peter did. It is almost certain that this was not the first time that Peter had been with Jesus since he had betrayed him but the enthusiasm with which he leapt into the water would suggest that he knew he was forgiven. Luke and John’s gospel tell us that Peter was one of the first disciples to go to the tomb to see if what the women had said about Jesus being alive was true. He certainly wasn’t hiding away in disgrace.

Peter was forever running ahead in what he said – speaking before he thought but he was also the first and only one out of the boat when Jesus was walking on the water. Peter seemed either to get it very right or sometimes very wrong but he knew Jesus loved him despite his shortcomings and failures. He had no difficulty running to the tomb or jumping in the water. He knew Jesus would not be cross or angry with him nor would he reject him. He would embrace him and then put right the wrong that had happened which is what Jesus did after breakfast that morning.

Three times he asked Peter, ‘Simon son of John do you truly love me more than these?’ Peter answered that he did. The third time Peter was upset about being asked the same thing again but it was important that for every denial there was a confirmation of his love for his Lord. Jesus then tells Peter something of what will happen in the future.

When we make a mess of things, God does not want to leave us there, feeling bad about what has happened. He certainly does not want to reject or leave us. He wants to reaffirm us by putting things right and to reinstate us to his calling. Let God’s forgiveness and love wash over you afresh today and let God confirm again your calling as his child and the plans He has for your life.