Thought of the Day !!

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 (TNIV)

If we didn't know the previous events and simply saw Peter being questioned in this manner, we might be led to think that Jesus didn't know whether or not to believe Peter. I know that if I saw someone doing this today, it might seem like they were giving someone the third degree. But in this case, things are much different. Let's rewind and remember what has already taken place here.

Peter had promised Jesus that he would never leave Jesus' side. He told him that he'd fight to the death for Jesus. And Jesus told Peter that even though this might be what he thought, the reality was that he would deny Jesus three times before the night was over. And this is exactly what happened. Peter got scared and denied he knew this Jesus fellow three times. This wound up being the night that Jesus was taken away, which began the events that led to his death.

Have you ever felt like you failed Jesus (God). Maybe you had good intentions, but when it came down to it, things didn't go the way you planned. Or maybe you told God you were going to give up this terrible habit (sin) and turn over a new leaf, only to fall back into temptation the very next day.

We've all failed to live up to the people we want to be. Peter was no different. He had denied Jesus three times. And three times Jesus gave him a chance to redeem himself by telling Jesus of his love for him.

Jesus may not be with you in a physical form when you need someone to forgive your sins. But by the power of the Holy Spirit, He can be even closer. He can be in you. And the number of times you fail Him, will be the number of times that He'll ask you if you really love Him. If you can honestly say yes, He'll give you another chance to go and feed His sheep. Sometimes the first one that will need to be fed will be you.

Know that Jesus not only loves and forgives. He gives each of us another chance who desire one.

In the love of Christ,
greg