All of us have experienced the pain of regret – it may have been things we have done that we should not have done or it may have been things we have left undone that we should have done. The Apostle Peter experienced the pain of regret as he denied his Lord three times. After His resurrection, Jesus met His disciples on the beach and gave Peter an opportunity to overcome the regret in his life:

So 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, “Tend My lambs.” (John 21:15)

The word Jesus used for love represented an unconditional type of love. Peter responded with a different word that reflected an emotional type of love. Perhaps Peter did not think he could attain to the type of love that Jesus was describing. Jesus then gave Peter a command – to tend His lambs. When we sin, a primary tactic of Satan is to make us think that we have forfeited our chance to be of service to the Lord.

He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep .” (John 21:16)

Jesus gave Peter an opportunity to reaffirm his love and restated His command for Peter to shepherd His sheep:

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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” (John 21:17)

Peter was grieved by this third inquiry. Have you experienced grief as you have read the words of Jesus and reflected upon the areas of your life where you’ve fallen short?

We may believe that we must do things for God to demonstrate our love for Him. Jesus taught that our relationship with God precedes our service for Him. Oswald Chambers reminds us, “If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, we shall soon be crushed and broken-hearted, for we shall often meet with more ingratitude from men than we would from a dog; but if our motive is love to God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellow men.”

Jesus’ discussion with Peter wasn’t about shaming Peter, but reclaiming him. Jesus gave Peter an opportunity to cancel out the three times that he had denied Jesus and He reaffirmed Peter’s call to ministry. Have you failed the Lord? Don’t despair. He can use you as He recalls you to ministry and service.

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark