03/02/2017
This morning I am exploring why Peter was grieved when Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him. I am also considering Peter's response; "Lord, thou knowest all things." This is a powerful moment and fuels Peter's ability to answer his calling.
“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17 KJV
Peter went on to deny Jesus three times, but that wasn't because he didn't love Him. As a matter of fact, Peter was hurt by Jesus' questioning of his love, because he truly did loved Him with all of his heart. He misunderstood what was happening in this exchange. As Jesus asked "do you love me", He was asking Peter a rhetorical question... he could have easily said.., "since you love me, feed my sheep", but he wanted a verbal response from Peter; a commitment; a pledge of love. Oswald Chambers explores this as well, and writes:
"He was awakening to the fact that in the real true centre of his personal life he was devoted to Jesus, and he began to see what the patient questioning meant... it was a revelation to him to realize how much he did love the Lord, and with amazement he said - "Lord, Thou knowest all things."" - Oswald Chambers
Peter did come to the full realization of his love for Jesus in this moment. He had previously recognized Him as the Son of God, so he understood that as such Jesus could see his heart; which made his response appropriate.
“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:15-17 KJV
So Peter knew that Jesus could see his heart... what would be the point of arguing the degree of his love? After all, the Lord would already know the answer to the questions He was asking... what frightened Peter was a sliver of doubt... was it possible he didn't love Him enough?
Satan has a way of interjecting question into our minds as we face moments of challenge to our faith. In times when we are asking in faith of Jesus, or professing our love, Satan will place that irritating sliver of doubt into us... "Do I truly have unwavering faith? Is my love complete?" This sliver of doubt is often all it takes as we allow it to fester and rob from us the joy and promise of that moment... pull the sliver from you and cast it away before the irritation grows into a sore.
So In this exchange of questions and answers Peter realized the fullness of his love for Jesus, and he receives his calling. However, it was only in His later denying that he saw how easily he could be undone, and came to understand how wary and on guard he needed to be. The combination of the two epiphanies made Peter the rock that Jesus said he would be.
Prayer:
Father, strengthen me as you did Peter; give to me the tempering of faith and commitment that he underwent. Lord, if I should deny you, let me see it for what it is... let my heartbreak and disappointment in that moment harden my resolve to follow you more closely. In my failure teach me to succeed. Holy Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus, and I am humbled to be sitting at His feet. Teach me to love you more each day as I learn from examples such as Peter's. As Jesus asks me "Do you love me", give me the confidence in my love to answer "thou knowest that I love you." Lord, remove any sliver of doubt that might undo me in faith or love, and give me the strength and perseverance to answer your call. "Here am I."
Rich Forbes