Hey guys! For this week’s Scripture, I decided to go with a short passage instead of a verse or two. The reason for this is that while I was reading the Bible today, I was flipping through the New Testament and found the part before Jesus ascends to Heaven after being raised from the dead. In this passage, He is speaking to Peter, and there’s just something about it that really strikes me. Take a look!

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. 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

– John 21:15-19

When I read this, my first thought is that this was sort of Peter’s chance to redeem himself after denying Jesus. After all, he denied Jesus three times, and here, Jesus asks him three times if he loves Him. Perhaps I’m wrong about this, but that’s just what my first thought is. Peter is someone who I really relate to, because I went through a time in my life where I denied Jesus, too. Even though I knew He loved me, and I loved Him, sometimes I didn’t act like it. As I got older, I began to see myself in Peter. Knowing that he later becomes an important part of spreading the Gospel gave me hope that perhaps I could redeem myself, too. That’s kind of why I think this passage jumps out at me like that!

I hope this encourages you to love the Lord and to spread the Gospel (and I hope it gives you faith that you can be redeemed, no matter what you’ve done!). As always, God bless y’all and have a wonderful week!