John 21:17 The third time He said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
John 21 is a profound account of the post-crucifixion and the third appearance of Jesus Christ after His resurrection. Jesus caught up with the deeply disappointed disciples over breakfast. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread (vs 9). Peter and his mates had gone back to revive their previous fishing business. When they arrived at the shore with a miraculous catch of fish at the instruction of a stranger on the shore, they realized that it was their Sweet Lord Jesus. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” (Vs 7). Peter came crumbling down at the feet of Jesus with shame as he had betrayed the Lord and had now gone back to his old lifestyle. Jesus lovingly invited the stupefied disciples to join the barbeque. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast” (vs 12). Jesus did not say to Peter or the disciples “why did you betray me?”, He did not ask his best mate Peter, “where were you when I hung alone on the cross”. He did not criticize, ostracize or infantilize the disciples for their disbelief and dissension. He only asked Peter, “do you love me?”.
Many are afraid to have an encounter with the risen Saviour as they are stigmatized with their failures, betrayal and blunders. The concept of relationship with the Creator is scary for people. Little do they know that the compassionate Father will only ask them “Do you love me?”.
Three things that Jesus will ask you:
- Feed: Peter, completely baffled by the love of His Master said, “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs” (Vs 15). When our answer is Yes, He will equip, empower and endow us with compassion to help others. He will feed us to feed others with living water and living bread. He will have breakfast meetings with us during our morning prayer and anoint us with power to serve Him. Jesus will say, feed my living word.
- Fish: Peter went back to fishing for his living but God reinstated Him to be a fisher of men(souls). God will use the skills He has built in us to accelerate His kingdom. He will use the hand of an artist, the voice of a singer, the mouth of an orator not only in their profession but also to profess for Him. Matthew 4:19 Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Jesus did not change the portfolio of Peter just because he miserably failed and betrayed Him. He recalibrated Peter’s profile. Jesus will say, fish for lost souls.
- Follow: The only bidding from Jesus is “follow me”. Following Jesus is not like following a person on instagram or FB. Following Jesus is not gathering information about Him but inculcating His teachings, remedies, advice, instructions, directions, corrections, and wisdom into our lifestyle. The only way not to miss His counsel is to have our eyes fixated on Him and to follow Him. Jesus will say, follow Me.
Jesus will only ask us “Do you love me?”.
Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Prayer: Sweet Jesus, Your love for a broken and bewildered soul like me is beyond human understanding. Thank you for loving me with an everlasting love and even before I sought you. Amen.
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