S121P6 – The Savior’s many faces: the great restorer
Jn. 21:17-19
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Simon Peter has a pretty interesting story. He loved the Lord and followed the Lord, but he also betrayed the Lord. The most compelling part of that story, the part which we recall so often, is the prediction of Jesus that Peter’s betrayal would happen. Jesus told him approximately when it would happen and how many times it would happen. It was something that Peter should have been watching for, but he still fell into the trap. When he was tempted to betray the Lord in order to ensure his own safety, he did just that. Here, we see Jesus restoring Peter in a way that is no less compelling than that story of betrayal.
Recall that Simon Peter betrayed the Lord three times. On three separate occasions, he denied with his lips that he knew Jesus. Then, after his crucifixion and during his third appearance to his apostles, Jesus asked Peter to confess his love for him. However, He did not ask this question only once. He asked this question three times, the same number of times that Peter betrayed him. To me, this speaks of complete restoration. Jesus was letting Peter know that each and every betrayal was washed away and in the past. The frustration Peter displayed at being asked this question repeatedly shows that he might not have understood the connection between these questions and that betrayal.
Peter answers Jesus’s three questions and becomes a little heated in the process. He might have been wondering whether the Lord was asking him to prove his love with words, but we know that the proof of his love will be later with sacrifice. This was practice for the future, his chance to get it right. Jesus extended the hand of restoration when He asked Peter to correct his error and confess the truth within his heart. The Lord gives us the same opportunity of restoration every time we fall short and betray him. Nothing is beyond repair. All things can be restored. Father, thank You for the restorative power your Son holds, that we can trust You to restore and repair the truly repentant heart.