“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘You know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed My lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of My sheep.’ 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.’” – John 21:15-17
There was a time in my life when I committed a lot of sins that I asked myself, “Totoo ba itong pinaniniwalaan ko? Will God ever love and trust me again?”
Peter is one of the most interesting and recognizable figures in the Bible, probably because we can see a lot of human nature in him. He is so impulsive that he can tell Jesus outlandish promises which won’t be fulfilled in the end. One minute, you’ll see Peter’s undying devotion to Jesus, and then the next denying Jesus thrice.
Peter is just like every one of us ! We are exactly like Peter; we always fail God. Of course, Peter felt the horror of his past sin. I believe that he doubted that Jesus will ever trust him again. Siguro iniisip ni Peter, “O ano ngayon, Peter? Papramis-pramis ka pa, ide-deny mo din pala Ako.” But no! Jesus responded to Peter by telling him to take care of His sheep. In a tender and loving manner, Jesus has not disqualified Peter and He has loved Peter no matter what. He is indirectly telling Peter. “I know ide-deny mo Ako. I know madami ka pang gagawin na kapalpakan. I know madadapa ka pa din pero, Peter, lagi ka lang bumalik sa presensya Ko. Kaya eto, ipagkakatiwala ko sa iyo ang mga tupa Ko.”
The same is true for us. We’ll fail, but it does not mean that there is no way back. Jesus is at work in our lives. The important thing is we should always go back to Jesus as Peter did.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for everything. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for the life of Peter, in reminding us to focus only on Your grace and mercy whenever we sin. Thank You that we have the opportunity to serve You by feeding Your sheep. We love You, Lord Jesus. Please forgive us for our sins. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray. Amen.
