READ:
John 21:15-17
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
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.

REFLECT: Dennis the Menace is one of the longest lasting comic strips in history.
Dennis, a mischievous five-year-old, is involved in an unending series of
misadventures. One particular panel depicts Dennis kneeling by his bed for his
nighttime prayers. Dressed in his PJs, cowboy hat and boots, a toy six-shooter
strapped to his side, the caption reads: “I’m here to turn myself in.”

That was Peter’s situation as well. A few weeks earlier he had failed Jesus miserably.
After pledging he would fight to the death for him, he totally didn’t; three times he
denied he even knew Jesus, the final time swearing up a blue streak. Then a rooster
crowed, the very sign Jesus mentioned when he predicted what Peter would do.

Plagued by guilt, Peter probably dreaded this conversation with Jesus. But he held
out hope that Jesus might welcome him back in. And he did. All Jesus wanted to
know was “do you love me.” “Yes, Lord, Peter said, you know that I love you”

This was the most significant moment in Peter’s life. First, because here he
discovered the breadth of Jesus love for him. But also because of what Jesus does
next. “ If you love me,” Jesus said, “take care of my sheep.” In this, Jesus reinstated
Peter and gave him a job. Get in the game, he said, don’t stand on the sidelines. It
was significant.

Each of us need to do two things. First, tell Jesus you love him. Ask forgiveness for
the mess you’ve made of your life and say yes
to him. And, secondly, choose to follow him, obeying whatever he asks of us.

Obeying means following the commands – the thou shalts and thou shalt nots – we
find in the Bible. And also the special tasks he gives each of us to do. For Peter it
was to lead the early Christian church in the years after Jesus returned to heaven.
For us it’s likely something very different. But the principle is that same. Follow
Jesus wholeheartedly. Remember that he doesn’t just forgives us, he empowers us
to live life a whole new way of life.

RESPOND: Which part of Jesus’ message to Peter is most important to you right
now. Do you need to tell him you love him? Or do you need to step out and serve
others in his name? Or both. Whichever it is, this might be a significant moment for
you, just as it was for Peter.