"Simon, Son of John, do you love me?"This is not a simple question because Peter is not just any Tom, Dick or Harry.
He's the one who vehemently denied knowing Jesus.
Not once. Three times.
Just before they crucified him.
Just before he died.
I think there were some days when Peter simply wanted to die from the shame of it all, and the scent of this fire on the beach could have easily brought back the smell of the fire that night just days earlier. That fire. On that night.
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
"Simon, do you love me?" Jesus asks again.
What is Peter to do now? How can he convince Jesus that his love is genuine? How can he convince himself that his love is strong enough for whatever trial is in his future?
He had failed once. Would he fail again? What exactly did loving Jesus look like?
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
"Simon, do you love me?" Jesus asks a third time.
Was it to counter balance the three times Peter denied him? Was it to help Peter be certain that he could translate love into action? Was this third time to get Peter's mind off himself and focused on the work that Jesus had for him?
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Really, what more could Peter say?
Then feed my sheep.
The past was past. God's future was waiting. Jesus called Peter to be a part of God's future. It was time to let it go and get on with the coming of the new creation and that looked like tending sheep.
Return to this story again and again when you are uncertain of your love, when you have failed yourself and others, when you are so distracted by the daily grind that you can't see or hear Jesus at work in the world, when you don't know what God is calling you to do. Feed the sheep, tend the lambs, watch after the flock.
God will be at work in and through you whether you recognize it or not. Peace my friends.
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