9 Minute Read

Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

1 Chronicles 21:9-23:32
John 21

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

John 21:15-16 (CSB): “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said to him, ‘you know that I love you.’ ‘Feed my lambs,’ he told him.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

Have you ever engaged in an act of disobedience to God’s Word, then confessed it to the Lord, but felt like He didn’t forgive you?

I certainly have! There have been times when I did something that I felt horrible about. I claimed 1 John 1:9 and confessed my sins to Him, realizing that He promised to forgive and cleanse me when I did so.

But on a few occasions, I knew the truth of 1 John 1:9 but didn’t feel it. What I felt was that I had horribly disappointed my God. I felt that there was very little that I could do to get back into His good graces. I knew that the Bible didn’t teach this, but it didn’t change my feelings.

First of all, we need to focus on truth rather than feelings. We don’t want to completely undermine our feelings. But when our feelings conflict with truth, we go with truth. And where is our ultimate and final source of truth? God’s Word!

John 17:17 (CSB): “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

So, let’s look at the truth of God’s Word. How does God respond when we sin and sin grievously? How does God treat us when we are so guilt-ridden and feel as if we could never be brought back into God’s favor again? Does He feel about us the same way we feel about ourselves?

All we need to do is look at how Jesus, God the Son, treated Peter. The Apostle Peter had done the unthinkable when he denied Jesus when Jesus was all alone and suffering unspeakable injustice. And this happened only hours after Peter had confidently pledged his allegiance to Jesus when he said: “Even if I have to die with you, … I will never deny you, …” (Matthew 26:35).

Let’s spend the next few moments looking at how Jesus interacted with Peter in order to understand how God interacts with us when we sin, struggle to forgive ourselves, and wonder if God will forgive us.

About a week or two after Jesus’ resurrection, He prepared a meal on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Peter was in the group that enjoyed that meal. However, it is almost certain that Peter was still guilt-ridden. He knew, and all of the other disciples knew, that he had denied Jesus when he had previously proclaimed boldly that he would die for Jesus if necessary. There is evidence in Peter’s behavior that he was beating himself up inside and understood the prodigal son’s sentiments when he was prepared to tell his father…

Luke 15:18-19 (CSB): “… Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”

When Jesus looked at Peter and saw his inner turmoil, understanding that his previous actions had crushed his spirit and torpedoed his passion to follow Him, Jesus began to speak to Peter in front of everyone. It’s as if Jesus wanted everyone to know that this is how God relates to a sinner who is genuinely broken over their sin and desperately wants back into God’s favor.

John 21:15-16 (CSB): “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said to him, ‘you know that I love you.’ ‘Feed my lambs,’ he told him.”

In the original language (Greek), Jesus asked if Peter loved Him with the greatest form of love (agape). Peter obviously thought that if he said “yes,” the other disciples would snicker in contempt because they knew he was the only disciple who had denied Jesus. So, Peter responded with another word. Peter said, “Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.” So, if I could add a bit to Peter’s response, here is what I believe he was saying: “Jesus, you’re asking me if I love you with the greatest kind of love. I can’t say that, not with what I did to You. I can only say that I love You like a friend who desperately wants to be forgiven by a friend he has hurt deeply.”

Jesus knew that Peter had denied Him three times. So, He was going to ask a similar question three times. Further, He knew that Peter’s response hadn’t brought healing to Peter’s heart yet. So, Jesus continued.

John 21:16 (CSB): “A second time he asked him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said to him, ‘you know that I love you.’ ‘Shepherd my sheep,’ he told him.”

In the original language, Jesus asked again if Peter loved Him with the greatest form of love (agape). Peter responded just as he had done before. “Jesus, I can’t say that I love you with the greatest form of love. Everyone knows that I wasn’t willing to lay down my life for you. In my heart, I desperately want to say that I agape You. But I can only say that I love you as a friend (phileo).”

Next, and finally, we see that Jesus changed His word. He didn’t use agape in this final time. He used Peter’s word (phileo).

John 21:17 (CSB): “He asked him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ ‘Feed my sheep,’ Jesus said.”

Jesus essentially said, “Peter, I know that you genuinely love (agape) me, but your previous actions are keeping you from saying that. So, let’s settle for your word. Do you love me like a friend (phileo)?” Peter responded, “Yes, Jesus, you know all things. You know my heart and that I love you like a friend.”

Jesus wasn’t demanding of Peter anything that Peter could not give. Jesus met Peter where He was, knowing that the relationship would quickly grow again so that Peter would gladly and boldly once again say that he loved (agape) Jesus.

And that’s how we understand Jesus’ final words. In John 21:18-19, as I take some liberties with the text, I believe that Jesus was essentially telling Peter: “Peter, you denied Me. That was wrong, but it’s in the past. Forget those things that are behind you and press on to what lies ahead. Peter, I assure you that as the Holy Spirit takes control of you, you will one day be faced with death for following me, and you will embrace death rather than deny Me. You will demonstrate that you are no longer the “old Peter” who denied Me three times. You will demonstrate that you don’t have to be the person you once were. You can grow in grace as the Holy Spirit empowers you so that a coward can become a bold warrior for Me. So, let’s get busy in ministry. We’ve got work to do! Feed my sheep!”

John 21:18-19 (CSB): “‘Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.’ He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, ‘Follow me.'”

Friend, God is more gracious than we could ever possibly imagine. As we read His Word, we realize that He has a soft spot in His heart for those who are broken before Him and repentant.

So, have you done something, even something unspeakably horrible, that has you in chains of guilt? Realize that what you did was wrong and repent. Allow your brokenness to fuel your desire to be made right with your God. And realize that God’s grace is greater than anything you could ever possibly do. The cross dealt with every sin that is placed at the foot of that place.

Romans 5:20 (CSB): “… But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more”

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you dig into His Word to cultivate a greater understanding of just how extraordinary His grace is.
  • Ask God to help you receive the grace that He is offering you right now.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into God’s grace to forgive, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What does it mean that where sin abounded grace abounded more (Romans 5:20)?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of White Hall Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky (whitehallbaptistchurch.org)