The Daily Devotional Podcast

Risen - 13 | John 21:15–17

Waypoint Church

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This reflection shows that Jesus restores us personally before entrusting us with responsibility, meeting our failures with grace rather than condemnation. It invites us to bring our past into His presence and trust that restoration leads to renewed purpose.

The Daily Devotional Podcast

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“May the Lord bless you and keep you — and may His presence guide you this week.”


SPEAKER_00

Today I'll be reading John twenty one verses fifteen through seventeen. After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, Peter replied, You know I love you. Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question. Simon, son of John, do you love me? Yes, Lord, Peter said, You know I love you. Then take care of my sheep, Jesus said. A third time he asked him, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you. Jesus said, Then feed my sheep. Most of us have moments in our past that haunt us. Words you wish you could take back, decisions you would change if you could, failures that feel closer than they should, even after time has passed. Peter carried one of these moments. Not long before this breakfast on the shore, he had stood near another fire. In that moment, when Jesus was being questioned, Peter was asked if he knew him. Three times he said no. Now after the meal, Jesus turns to him. Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Jesus doesn't begin with Peter's failure. He begins with relationship. Do you love me? Peter answers Yes, Lord, you know that I love you, and Jesus responds, feed my lambs. And then he asks again and again three times. The repetition was not accidental. It mirrors Peter's denial, but the tone is different. This is not exposure for the sake of shame, it's restoration through honesty. Each question gives Peter space to respond. Each response is met with a calling. Take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. Jesus doesn't ignore what happened, but he doesn't hold Peter in it either. He meets him in that place and begins to move him forward. Take note of the order. Love comes before leadership. Relationship comes before responsibility. Jesus does not begin by telling Peter what to do. He begins by asking where his heart is. Restoration is not rushed. It's personal, intentional, and grounded in being known and still invited forward. Peter's failure was real, but it was not final, and in that moment, what once defined him begins to lose its hold. Before I close in prayer, here's a question to wrestle with. Help me to trust your desire to restore, not reject. Teach me to respond to you with honesty and love.