Reinstating Simon Peter


John 21:15-17 Jesus said to Simon Peter “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these (fish)? Yes Lord, he said You know that I love you.

At Jesus trial, Peter publicly denies christ, not once, but thrice (John 18:15-26) Now a resurrected Jesus graciously creates an opportunity for Peter to declare his decision 3 times In that way, it atoned for 3 previous betrayals.

To each affirmative response,Jesus responds by commissioning Peter to participate in active ministry. So Jesus reinstates Peter as a disciple. Since He saw the personal and heart felt love of Peter for Him Jesus sees love as the basic qualification for christian services.

We too can be restored as a servant of God after we receive christ forgiveness for our sins.

Cynthia Sathiaraj
Chennai

How terrible Peter must have felt after He denied his teacher!

John 21:17 “The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

In this well-known passage, Simon Peter already denied Jesus three times but Jesus purposely goes on to ask Peter whether he loved him three times.

Prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter told him he was ready to die for him! (John 13: 37) And yet before the rooster crowed, Peter denied knowing him three times. (John 18: 17, 25, 27)

How terrible Peter must have felt after He denied his teacher!

Despite Peter’s denial and knowing the disappointment in himself, Jesus appears to Peter and him, if he loved Him but with the “agape” love (ultimate sacrifice love) according to the Greek translation.

Peter was down, he may have felt that he wasn’t good enough to claim Christ’s “agape” love and instead responded to Him all three times with “philos” love (friendship).

Jesus continued with, “feed my lambs…tend my sheep… feed my sheep.”

Knowing that Peter is not perfect, makes mistakes and falters, Jesus still asks peter to tend to his sheep.

Jesus accepts us as we are; there is no need to pretend that we are perfect.

Jesus offers us “agape” love and we often offer Him “philos” love which might be conditional.

But still, Jesus accepts us as he did Peter.

Many of us think that divine ministry is meant for those called into priesthood, mission work or speakers.

But dear friends… don’t forget that… the Lord has created each one of us, unique in every way. (Ephesians 2:10)

Our personality, skill set, experiences are by no chance a coincidence.

We may feel like we are not “good” enough for ministry.
As Peter we are not perfect, we make mistakes!!

But! The Lord teaches us through Peter, a fisherman, divine ministry is not just for the righteous.

Each of us have been ordained into His kingdom.

When our heart and eyes are fixed on the Lord, not coincidentally, the Lord will use us for His purpose.

When we sacrifice our time, we begin to respond to Christ’s “agape” love.

  1. As Christ sacrificed Himself for us, we must also sacrifice our time for God.
  2. Pray for the Lord to lead, guide and use you for His ministry.
  3. Open our hearts to hear where He wants us to minister His love.

As we begin this, our spiritual life will have new meaning.

Jooley Mathew Z
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