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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved 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 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” (John 21)
This was the third time Jesus had gotten together with a group of His disciples. It was high time He and Peter talked about "the elephant in the room." Peter had promised great things to Jesus and failed big time. He had been Jesus' #1 follower and assistant. Where did he stand now? Jesus does not do any "I told you so" or make a list of Peter's failures; He offers Him a contract renewal. It is as if He is saying "Peter, I still want you to step out and lead the way. I have not given up on you. I know you are not perfect. I want you to ask yourself: 'It is worth it to you to whole-heartedly follow Jesus?' During this time of trial we are going through, we have failed a lot: we have reteated to our homes to hide and focus on ourselves; we have not reached out to others as we ought; we have complained and pointed fingers; we have wasted time worrying. Yet Christ still says: "I want you as my followers. Do you want to follow, and lead others? Get to work."
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