Daily Inspiration

“After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” —John 21:15-19

Peter stood by a charcoal fire in a courtyard and denied Jesus three times. Then, on the shore, Jesus called Peter to a charcoal fire, giving him the opportunity to recant the denial and proclaim his love for Christ. When I immerse myself in these two Scripture passages, the mood is very different.

In the courtyard, there are feelings of fear, apprehension, and confusion, while on the shore, there is only peace, love, and relief. Peter is not yet capable of giving the Lord the love He deserves, but Jesus accepts the love Peter offers. So it is with each of us. We aren’t capable of giving God the love He deserves, but He graciously accepts what we offer. And like Peter, the more love we offer the Lord, the more it is magnified, so that one day we may give to Christ all that we are.

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