Day 12—Tuesday, March 3

John 21:15-17

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.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt 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.”

The resurrection of Jesus is the most wonderful, glorious event that has happened since God created the universe. Can you imagine how Peter felt when he discovered that Jesus had risen from the dead? And early that morning, Jesus turned Peter’s fishing from nothing to overwhelming success. And then Jesus had invited Peter and other disciples to eat the breakfast that Jesus prepared. Peter may not have had an idea of the future, but he must have felt that this was being a wonderful, glorious event.

But Jesus confronts Peter. A question followed by a command. Not once, but three times. We are so accustomed to hearing this passage that we may not think a bit negatively about this, but three times!! What if someone said something like this to you three times?

It is no surprise that Peter was hurt by the repeated question and command from Jesus.

Why did Jesus begin a conversation after sharing the breakfast by asking, “Do you love me?” three times? Why did Jesus address Peter by his full name three times?, Why did Jesus command Peter to perform good work three times?

Feel free to review John of his account of how Jesus and Peter related to each other before Jesus was crucified. But you may recall that Jesus predicted that Peter would deny his belief in Jesus three times. And Peter denied that he was a disciple of Jesus three times. So why did Jesus say this to Peter three times? A reminder of Peter’s denial? Perhaps Jesus was challenging Peter.

What about us? Have each of us ever experienced a question from God or a command from God? Of course, God has never stood in front of us and asked a question or commanded us. But this passage reminds me that God may ask me a question or command me, if I do not ignore God or if I give to God an opportunity to communicate with me. In reading this story about Peter and Jesus, should I accept that even though God loves me, God may want to challenge me? Perhaps we need to follow, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) For many of us, internet, television and cell phones have made listening to God more difficult. Technology has changed what we experience. But perhaps one of the best ways we can imitate Jesus would be to take time in quietness and solitude like Jesus did, to be closer to God, to be open to receive questions and commands from God.

Our prayer: Gracious God, I pray that I will pause and be still each day for you. My prayers will not just be my monologue but dialogue, opportunities to receive God’s communication that guides me. Amen.

-Harry Rhodes