Key Thought

Do you think Peter heard the rooster crow again when Jesus asked him the question the third time? Three times he denied his Lord by a charcoal fire. Three times beside another charcoal fire his Lord asks Peter about the genuineness of his love. Jesus was creative and sensitive, but he was also determined—Peter had to face his failure. So Jesus confronts him three times. Peter claimed his dedication was stronger than the rest. Jesus asks him if he still claims to love his Lord more than the rest. Peter claimed that he would never deny his Lord, but he did so three times. Jesus' loving confrontation of Peter wasn't about shaming Peter, but reclaiming him. Peter had to face his failure, so Jesus asked him three times. Jesus also reaffirms Peter's call to ministry three times. Have you failed the Lord? Don't despair. He can and will use you if you will be open about your failure and let him "re-call" you to ministry and service.

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me for my failures, sin, and moments of unfaithfulness. Restore me to your service, renew me in my passion for holiness, and rekindle me with your Spirit. I want to honor and serve you always. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these {other men love me}?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my lambs. " Again Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. " A third time Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" Peter said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. I tell you the truth. When you were young, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and another person will tie you. That person will lead you where you don't want to go." (Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw the follower that Jesus loved walking behind them. (This was the follower that had leaned against Jesus at the supper and said, "Lord, who will turn against you?") When Peter saw this follower behind them he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not be important to you. You follow me!" So a story spread among the brothers (followers). They were saying that this follower {that Jesus loved} would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die. He only said, "Maybe I want him to live until I come. That should not be important to you." That follower is the one that is telling these things. He is the one that has now written these things. We know that what he says is true. There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of these things were written down, I think the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.

Related Scripture Readings

God, be merciful to me, because of your great loving kindness, because of your great mercy, erase all my sins. God, scrub away my guilt. Wash away my sins, Make me clean again! I know I sinned. I always see those sins. Use the hyssop plant and do the ceremony to make me pure. Wash me until I am whiter than snow! Make me happy! Tell me how to be happy again. Let the bones you crushed be happy again! Don't look at my sins! Erase them all! God, create a pure heart in me! Make my spirit strong again! Don't push me away! And don't take your Holy Spirit away from me! Your help made me so happy! Give me that joy again. Make my spirit strong and ready to obey you. I will teach sinners how you want them to live, and they will come back to you.

A person is very happy. when his sins are forgiven. {That person is very fortunate} when his sins are erased. A person is very happy when the Lord says he is not guilty. {That person is very fortunate} he didn't hide his secret sins. God, I prayed to you again and again, but I did not talk {about my secret sins}. I only became weaker every time I prayed. God, you made life harder and harder on me, day and night. I became like a dry, dry land in the hot summertime. SELAH

Always tell each other the wrong things you have done. Then pray for each other. Do this so that God can heal you. When a good person prays hard, great things happen.