Jesus had predicted Simon Peter’s denials with great compassion. He knew it would happen and he knew it would be painful for Peter to fall like this. Jesus is now looking to restore Peter. He asks him three times, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” One time for every one of Peter’s three denials. This is Jesus compassionately giving Simon Peter the chance to stand up from his fall and start all over again. This chance is given to all of us. Whatever your failures, Jesus’ attitude toward you is the same as it was toward Peter here in John 21. Jesus has compassion on you, and he wants to restore you. You can close the door on yesterday and begin again. As we come to the end of the book of John it is appropriate that we finish with this wonderful picture of grace at work. Grace is God’s favour and blessing given to those who don’t deserve it. He paid the highest price imaginable in the sacrifice of Christ to fulfil the demands of his justice against us. There is now nothing that he wants to do more than to give the gift that he paid for. You know that feeling when you have bought a gift for someone and once it is purchased you then look forward to giving it. Jesus has purchased forgiveness and grace for us. Now there is nothing he wants to do more than to give the gift he just paid for. He extends his grace to you now to start again with a clean slate. Receive the gift, embrace the new life and THRIVE.
Receive God’s grace and blessing and give thanks for his love for you.
Read John 21:15-25
