Three Questions
Jesus, with slight variations, asked Peter the same question three times: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter gives the same answer, again with slight variations, three times: “Yes, Lord; you know I love you.”
I don’t think it is a stretch to assume the reason this question was repeated three times is that the three-fold nature of the inquisition matched the three-fold denials of Peter. As with so much that took place and was said on the shore that morning, a lot was said indirectly. Fishing without catching anything, the charcoal fire, and the questioning were all designed to remind Peter of how he failed the Lord that night.
But, lest we miss the point, this was not Jesus getting a pound of flesh from Peter. This wasn’t angry revenge and resentful accusation. This was restorative. Jesus’ goal was not Peter’s misery and tears. Jesus’ purpose was to get Peter back.
“Feed my lambs…tend my sheep…feed my sheep…” That was what Jesus was aiming for.
The Lord convicts us of sin, not merely to make us feel bad about it, although we should. It isn’t just so He can point His finger at us and shame us, even if we ought to be ashamed. He does it to bring it out into the open, clear the deck, remove the sin stains that stand between us and Him, and get us back to a place where we can serve Him and one another again.
Do you feel the weight of your sin? Tell it to Jesus. Honestly. Be forthright. Don’t hide anything. Confess and be cleansed. Then, begin serving the Lord and His people again.
