Recall when Jesus was watching Peter, His chosen apostle, deny Him three times. Three times declared, in front of all the people who were with him. Just a short distance away, Jesus was arrested and in the custody of the authorities. The crowds were there among them, and Peter was the man who Jesus said, “Upon this rock, I will build my Church.” The man who just denied him on three separate occasions while in the view of the Lord and God He loved.
Afterward, Jesus eventually permitted His Roman executioners to put Him to death. And yet, while found innocent during the Lord’s “trial,” the Roman ruler Pilate made it understood to everyone Jesus was without fault. The Roman authorities crucified Him anyway by choice of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
After the Lord’s crucifixion, His body was placed in a tomb where, after 3-days, He rose again as promised. Then as recorded in Scripture, He shortly after that returned to His apostles. To those He loved, He restored. He brought them renewed hope.
Tend My Sheep
He revealed His presence and identity to His Apostles. The third time He did so, He fed them while on the beach at the Sea of Tiberias (Jn 21:1). At the break of dawn, they together had fish for breakfast on the coastline that day. Then what is yet even more astonishing is what happened next. Follow along.
So 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, “Tend My lambs.”
He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.”
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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
– John 21:15-17
Love Renewed & Love Restored
Do you see what happened here? Simon Peter and others were out at sea fishing. Back to his livelihood, but wasn’t catching anything. He wasn’t attending the Kingdom of God that was just established on Earth among the nations. The Lord’s followers appointed to Peter were unattended as His mission was set before his disciples. “Do you love me more than these,” were Jesus’s words. More than these fish. More than Peter’s occupation, and more than Peter’s livelihood.
It was here that Jesus restored Peter, His chosen shepherd for the people of Israel. This is the Rock on which is built the Lord’s church.
Yet even while Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus restored Peter’s place through grace and forgiveness. In the act of incredible and infinite mercy, Jesus restores Peter by having him declare his love for the Lord three times. Even while Jesus knew Peter’s heart, his devotion, and his never-ending love, He got Peter back on his feet, spiritually speaking.
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