A Disciple's Journeyಮಾದರಿ

The Path to Restoration

Peter had denied Jesus three separate times in the Gospel of Mark. So when Jesus speaks to him in the presence of the other disciples in John 21, it’s significant that Jesus asks him, “Do you love me?” three times. He gives Peter three opportunities to publicly reaffirm his love for his Lord. This isn’t torture. It isn’t meant to be a test. It is a chance for Peter to be publicly reinstated. Just as he had failed three times, here he succeeds three times. Now that Peter had rededicated his life to the Lord, he could forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13–14).

Rededication is something that used to be emphasized more in Baptist churches, and there was something important in the practice that we shouldn’t lose. Sometimes we stray from following Christ closely. Often, when we make one mistake it can become easier to make more. Or if we miss several Sundays in a row at church it can become easier to drift away entirely. And then before we know it, we can hardly recognize ourselves and our lives are a mess. If that’s where you are, you don’t have to stay there. You can always come back to Christ. You can rededicate your life to him and renew your commitment to follow him!

Jesus makes it a point after each response from Peter to reiterate Peter’s job in the church going forward. He’s supposed to feed and tend the flock of God, the church. Peter’s ministry wasn’t done. Not at all. In fact, the work was just about to begin, as we’ll see next week when we read the first five chapters of the book of Acts. Peter would have a remarkably fruitful life for the kingdom of God! Jesus told Peter that he would imitate his Lord even unto death, being crucified himself. And then Jesus repeated the first two words he had ever said to Peter. “Follow me” (John 21:19). Not only was Peter restored, but now he was recommissioned to a life of service to Christ. No mistake that we make can thwart the plans of God!