Lovest thou me?
Today's focusBy the lake, Jesus asks Peter three times 'Lovest thou me?' — gently restoring him after his three denials and recommissioning him to feed his sheep.
Read
15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Reflection
After the breakfast by the lake, Jesus speaks directly to Simon Peter. Having previously denied his Lord three times, Peter is now asked three times, "Lovest thou me?" This encounter is not meant to shame Peter, though he "was grieved" by the repetition. Instead, Jesus meets Peter in his failure to offer a path of restoration. Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus responds with a clear command: "Feed my lambs" and "Feed my sheep." The Lord does not push Peter away because of his past mistakes; he gives him a renewed purpose.
This passage shows you that Jesus is a shepherd who restores his followers. He moves Peter from the memory of his denial to the work of caring for others. Jesus concludes with the simple, powerful command, "Follow me." He invites you to do the same, setting aside your past to join him in his work. Whatever your journey has looked like, his call is to love him and to serve those he places in your care today.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
After a failure, what does it mean to you that Jesus restores rather than rejects, and gives a new calling?
Pray
Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you, even when I have failed you. Thank you for your restoring grace. Show me how to care for those you place in my life.