“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, 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, ‘Feed My sheep’ ” John 21:17, NKJV.
After denying Jesus three times, Peter decided to turn away from his calling and go back to fishing, which was his vocation. When Jesus rose from the dead and came back to visit his disciples, he sat down and ate with them. He then asked Peter three times “Do you love me?” Peter’s answer was yes, and Jesus tells him then feed my sheep.
After you have faced difficult times, you may wonder whether you really should just go back to living like you use to. After you have messed up with the same thing multiple times, the devil will say you really don’t want to follow the Lord, just go back to living for sin and pleasures. Yet like Peter, Jesus is going to ask you for every mistake, every wrong turn, do you love me?
Your love is not defined by your mistake, but your decision to choose Jesus in spite of your mistake. The truth is God knows our wrong turns before we even make them, and He is rich in mercy for a reason. Yet, He still chooses us. He still chose you and you are a forgiven man.
God cares enough not to leave you where you are. For every mistake, every hurt, every denial of him, every let down, and for every wrong turn in life, Jesus is asking you do you love me? Let your response be yes, and do what you know He is asking of you. Move forward. Get back up, and walk out your calling.
Prayer: Thank you Father for Your word. Thank you Jesus, for with one question, you settle all matters of the heart. Yes, I do love you. I choose to love you by getting back up and waking out my calling. I receive Your mercy and grace now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study: Luke 22:54-62, Philippians 3:13-14, 2 Peter 2:9-10
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