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.”
John 21:15 (NIV)
Do You Love Me?
Mark Cohon, former commissioner of the CFL, was asked why he loved Canada. He replied, “In my seven years as commissioner, the moment that was probably most fascinating to me was around the 100th Grey Cup in Toronto: We let fans carry the Cup the final five kilometres after a trek across the country. Five hundred people showed up at Varsity Stadium but, by the end, thousands had jumped in. That spontaneous act – in its patriotism, its sense of community, of belonging, of being proud of who we are – is something I call Canadian swagger.”
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We have all blown it at some point in our lives – probably more than just once. When it comes to our relationship with Jesus Christ, we blow it every time we allow sin to overwhelm us. If that is where you are, I have good news for you from the 21st chapter of John’s Gospel. Peter had denied the Lord three times on the night that Jesus was betrayed and arrested – even after Jesus told Peter he would do so. Peter must have felt horrible about it, and because Jesus had died, he couldn’t even go to find the Master to seek His forgiveness. Peter was wracked with guilt. Jesus knew this – one of the first things the angel at the empty tomb said to the women was, “Go tell the disciples and Peter” that Jesus had risen. But there was still more to do. So, beside the Sea of Galilee Jesus calls Peter over and asks, in John 21:15: “‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’” Jesus forgave and restored Peter and He will forgive and restore you too.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley