April 09, 2026 | Be Connected
The Restoration Of Peter
Scripture: John 21:15-19(NIV)
15 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.”
16 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.”
17 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. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Devotional
“Never once did Jesus scan the room for the best example of holy living and send that person out to tell others about him. He always sent stumblers and sinners. I find that comforting.” - Nadia Bolz-Weber
When Jesus appeared to his disciples on the Sea of Galilee that day, we wonder how Peter felt about being in the presence of the man he had denied three times just a few days before. But luckily, life with Jesus is not a baseball game - it’s not “three strikes, yer out!” We are always given second chances.
In this passage, Jesus sits down and has a conversation with his wounded, ashamed disciple. The first thing we notice is that Jesus addresses him as “Simon son of John”. This was Peter’s name when he was first called. Is that because Jesus wanted him to think back to that earlier time? To remember all he heard Jesus say and recall all the miracles Jesus performed? Was it because Jesus wanted Peter to experience a change in his life before he would call him Petros, or the Rock, again?
Jesus then asked Peter three times if he loved him and each time Peter responded that he did. Three times he affirmed his love for Jesus corresponding to the three times he denied him in the courtyard. Three denials, three chances for restoration. And three times, Jesus tells him to tend to his sheep. Jesus wanted him to transform from Simon, son of John, the fisherman, to Peter, the Rock who would build Christ’s Church. On the surface, this conversation seems to be about making sure Peter loved Jesus. But I believe it’s more about letting Peter know that Jesus still loved HIM and that Jesus had a plan for his life.
The last command Jesus gives to Peter in this passage is “Follow me!” This command has a double meaning. First, Peter is to follow Jesus and spread the Gospel to those who don’t know him. And scripture and church tradition show that he did. Peter became a leader of the early church, founding the church at Antioch and being named the 1st Bishop there. But second, Peter would follow Jesus to death on a cross. Church tradition also tells us that he was martyred in Rome, crucified upside down under Emperor Nero.
Through Peter’s story, we learn about God’s restorative power. Peter made mistakes. He was one of those “stumblers and sinners”. But God used him - forgave and restored him. And, like the quote at the beginning, I find that comforting. Even though you and I fail miserably, God understands our human condition. God uses imperfect people to spread God’s perfect love to the ends of the earth.
