Rectors Letter || Simon, son of John, do you love me?

If you’ve ever let a friend down, you’ll know how awkward it can be to try and make up. How will they react? Can things ever go back to the way they were?It must have been a little bit like that for Peter after his denials of Jesus, (cf. John 18:15-18, 25-27).

And now as Jesus appears to his disciples for a third time, he speaks to Peter and asks him, John 21:15; “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” In fact, Jesus asks the same question 3 times, (some scholars have made much of a change of words for love, but actually Jesus is asking the same question 3 times – do you love me?)

Now more than thesecould mean, do you love me more than these other disciples love me?, or do you love me more than these other men? Peter had denied Jesus three times both because he didn’t love Jesus more than these other did, and because he loved his own reputation and safety with others more than he loved Jesus. But now graciously, Jesus lets Peter reaffirm three times that he really does love Him.

I wonder how you would answer if Jesus asked you the same question? I’d like to think that I would automatically repeat the words of Peter, v.15; “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”But the truth is Jesus knows my fallen broken heart better than I know it myself. He knows that my heart is divided in its loyalty, damaged by sin. And yet He still asks, do you love me more than everything else?

But this scene is also wonderfully encouraging for us, as those who fail Jesus repeatedly. Notice Jesus does not ask Peter, or us, to make up for our denials of Him: but simply to come and walk with Him in love once more. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has already made up forour sinfulness. And now through His death and resurrection, He calls us to come, confess our love for Him and walk with Him.

Yours in Christ,

Bryan