From Denial to Restoration: Jesus Forgave Peter
Daily Scripture
John 21:15-19
15 When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. His heart must have ached, eager to reconnect. Jesus, a master psychologist, didn’t want that failure to haunt Peter forever. He let Peter affirm his love three times—deeper and more solid because Jesus forgave him after he failed. Then Jesus told Peter he would yet have the chance to live out his pledge from John 13:37: “I’ll give up my life for you.” With the cost of following clearly in view, Jesus repeated the same simple, sweeping call: “Follow me.”
- Scholar N. T. Wright noted, “The three questions correspond to Peter’s three denials. Three for completeness, yes, but three also for reminder. The smell of the charcoal fire lingers. Peter’s night of agony—and Jesus’ own night of agony—returns. But because of the latter, the former can be dealt with.” * What failures might haunt your relationship with Jesus? Imagine yourself by that fire with Peter. Hear Jesus ask you by name, “______, do you love me?” Answer three times, honestly and fully. Hear Jesus deal with whatever barriers separate you from him.
- There have been brave martyrs, but most Christ-followers will not be killed for their faith. Pastor John Ortberg wrote, “At the heart of Jesus’ teaching lies this strange command: ‘Take up your cross, die to yourself, and follow me’ [Matthew 16:24]. The cross is a reminder that there is something in me that needs to die.” ** How eager or hesitant are you to follow Jesus into a changed life? What specific habit, action, or thought is Jesus calling you to kill off or alter today?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, John Wesley prayed, “Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.” I pray his words as my own. Help me truly mean them. Amen.
GPS Insights
Darren Lippe
Darren Lippe, who serves as a Couples Small Group co-leader and Men's Group Leader, while volunteering in a variety of other capacities at Resurrection, wrote today’s Insights. He and his wife, Doris, first met in a Resurrection Single Adult Sunday School class in 1997 and were married in what is now the Student Center. They are empty nesters with 2 college-aged sons, Matthew and Jacob.
Earlier this month I read that 75% of all young people use social media platforms to find employment. I was marveling at this statistic with our sons over Easter weekend & commented that it was such an improvement compared to looking through the Help Wanted section of the Classifieds in the newspaper. (I then had to give them some context about Classified Ad Sections & Help Wanted Ads. Sigh. I just wanted to sit & listen to my favorite Beach Boys LP that evening.)
Today’s passage is one of my all-time favorite scenes in John’s Gospel. However, this time as I was reading through the conversation between Jesus & Peter, it struck me that John was actually laying out a roadmap to becoming a Christian. So, I was thinking what a “Help Wanted” ad from today’s passage might look like. Let’s take a look. (So much for clocking out early today – Editor.)
100 – ANNOUNCEMENTS & PERSONALS
101 – Announcements
- The Procrastination Club meeting this Tuesday has been postponed. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday. Thursday at the latest.
- The Time-Traveler Club will gather March 31st, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Don’t be late!
- The Clairvoyant Club had to cancel their picnic due to unexpected weather conditions.
400 – EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT
403 – Help Wanted – Immediate Opening
Position: Full time follower of Christ
Employer: The Kingdom of God
Hiring Manager: Jesus
Qualifications:
- No experience required
- Walk-Ins always welcomed
- Second chances guaranteed
Primary Responsibilities:
- Love the Lord: Jesus asks Peter simply, “Do you love Me?” No in-depth questions about theology or a detailed checklist of skills or a long description of his qualifications. This emphasizes that the 1st step of our spiritual journey begins with love of Christ.
- Care for Others: When Peter answers that he does love Jesus, Jesus then commands Peter to “feed my sheep.” This can take many forms in our faith-walk. It could mean to share your faith with others. It could mean to minister to fellow believers to encourage the discouraged. It could mean being the hands & feet of Christ & caring for the poor or feeding the hungry. Or it could mean developing & organizing a Christian community of believers to help the Kingdom of God. Our love for Christ should lead to action.
- Follow Christ: Jesus tells Peter to “follow me.” This challenge means we need to re-order our life with Jesus as our Lord. We should pass on temporary prestigious titles/labels & be content to serve Him in humility. We shouldn’t prioritize money or possessions as our primary measuring stick of a life well-lived. Finally, Peter’s story reminds us that there is no such thing as failure when we follow Christ; every goof up & every miscue can be redeemed with a repentant heart.
Compensation & Benefit Package:
- Grace – In abundance
- Peace – Surpasses all understanding
- Sense of Purpose – Creating a lasting impact for God & His Kingdom
- Retirement Plan – Eternal & Heavenly
How to Apply:
Call 1-800-PRAYERS. Ask for our Hiring Manager, simply say, “Lord, You know that I love You,” & you can start immediately!
© 2026 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* N. T. Wright, John for Everyone, part 2. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2004, p. 164.)
** Ortberg, John, Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus (p. 192). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
