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…”
John 21:17 (ESV)
Easter 4 – Easter and the Searching Question
What might make you disgruntled or discontented about the role God has given you and the place He has put you to glorify Him?
• A colleague who is more talented, and gets the promotions you long for?
• Cases that you could never win on their merits – that will leave you without much credit?
• A business sector where getting work always seems to be a huge battle just to make ends meet?
John 21 is an epilogue, as the risen Jesus appears to his disciples and reinstates Peter. He is about to give Peter a costly commission: He commands Peter to feed his sheep; and then in vv18-19 he indicates that Peter will be martyred. Peter wants to check he’s not getting a raw deal, so he asks Jesus about John (v21)! But Jesus says this: “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Jesus has a unique calling for each one of us.
What, then, is the qualification we need to ensure we glorify him in our calling? Well before Jesus reinstates Peter, he asks him three times, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Whatever our gifts, whatever our situations, however much we may have failed the risen Jesus in the past, his question to us is the same. Do you truly love Jesus?
If you do, then you can follow him.
Lord Jesus,
I praise you that though you once were dead, now you are alive. Lord, you know that I love you. Help me to grow in my knowledge and love of you, so that I follow you at work this week, whatever the cost.
Amen