Jesus doesn’t do anything half way.
Salvation is in full.
Forgiveness is in full.
His riches are in full.
His blessings are in full.
The story of Peter denying Jesus proves how “full” Jesus really is. If you remember, Peter denied Jesus 3 times at crunch time when his back was against the wall. Jesus had warned Peter of this, but still, Peter was denying the very One he claimed to completely follow.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He appears to Peter and the disciples and He asks Peter 3 times…
Do you love me?
Each time Peter gives a resounding, “Yes!”
Why did Jesus ask Peter 3 times?
I guess you could debate it. We can’t read Jesus’ mind, but I have to think it’s because He remembers how Peter denied Him 3 times and He’s saying,
“Even though you deny, I restore.”
Jesus restores Peter in the full, matching each time Peter denied.
I don’t know what you or someone you love needs restored, but Jesus is the one to do it.
Shake off the past.
Look to the future.
Trust in the present.
Seek Him continually!
John 21:15-25 (ESV) When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
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