Do you love me?

John 21:15-19

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

How was Jesus going to deal with the fact that Peter, when things got tough, had denied Jesus three times? Peter had not stood up for Jesus when he had a chance, instead he had buckled under the pressure and threat. Now what was Jesus going to do?

Three times Jesus asked Peter – “Do you love me?” – this was Jesus’ process of undoing – over-riding – the hurt and failure he had experienced at Peter’s hand. Notice two things – First, Jesus does not ignore the problem of the denials – Jesus does not ignore the tension in the relationship. Jesus seeks to find a way to bring healing. Jesus takes the initiative, he makes the first move, and he engages Peter towards healing.  

Second, the conversation over Jesus puts the matter behind him, behind them, he re-instates Peter. He does not put Peter on probation, he does not say “we will see how it goes before I decide if I am fully welcoming you back.” Peter is welcomed back and is fully restored to be a follower of Jesus. Not only that, Peter is invited to use his gifts in the life of the community of faith.

Often in the church there is a tendency to look askance at those who are making their way back to faith, back to church. They left, are they worthy of being trusted to not leave again, becomes the question that runs in people’s minds. Or the church is slow to invite the “back-slider” who has returned to play a leadership role in the life of the church. Jesus’ example would challenge us to ask the simple question – “Do you love Jesus and do you want to follow him?” And to listen to the heart answer to that question.

PRAYER:

God of grace, you welcome sinners and backsliders who turn to you into your kingdom, shape us as your church that we too would welcome sinners and backsliders who have turned to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.