Jesus speaks to Peter

When the disciples landed, they dragged their heavy net ashore. There was a small fire with some fish cooking on it, and some bread. Jesus told them to bring some of the fish they had caught and invited them to breakfast.

When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, do you truly love Me more than these others do?”

Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, You know I love You.”

Again Jesus asked, “Simon, do you really love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter answered, “You know that I love You.”

Then Jesus asked Peter a third time, “Simon, do you love Me?”

Peter was very sad because Jesus had asked him a third time. He answered, “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.”

Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?

Jesus didn’t ask questions to find out things; He asked questions to make people stop and think.

Peter had denied Jesus three times by saying that he didn’t know Him. He must have felt very ashamed about what he had said. He may have felt like a miserable failure. How could the words “I’m sorry” ever make up for what he had done?

But Jesus knew that Peter still loved Him, and He gave Peter the opportunity to say so.

The first two times Peter said, “I love You,” his words didn’t show how much he really loved Jesus. But when Jesus asked him a third time, Peter was sad and replied, “Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.”

Although Peter had failed Jesus, Jesus hadn’t given up on him; He gave Peter another chance to show his love and reminded him that He still had a purpose for him.

“If ever you feel ashamed about something you’ve done, and the words, ‘I love You,’ seem shallow, you can say, ‘Lord, look into my heart and You will see that I truly love You.’”

Verse for today

“I have prayed for you… that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:32

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