The rocky road to Peter
Dr Iain Jamieson
June 01, 2023
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John 21: 15-19 (NRSVA)
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the 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. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ 19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’
I’ve thought a lot about this passage. Jesus asks Peter 3 times. It sort of makes sense because Jesus tells him to found his church and then, when you’ve set all that up, lose your very life for me.
3 times he asked. The big question. 3 times, there’s no ambiguity about the weight of the decision, the weight of the ask.
I think when God asks us to do the big things, the life altering things, you do get a “calling” and I do think you get confirmation – sometimes through a word and sometimes through a chance conversation sometimes through circumstance and I think it’s what we fall back on when the going gets tough.
We need to keep our ears and our eyes open. Just like Peter, you’re not getting asked 3 times for nothing. Sometimes God guides and sometimes he gives us a shove and if you’re anything like me, sometimes you need a shove in the right direction.
PRAYER:
Jesus I can hear your call
Jesus I can feel your call
Jesus I can see the way you want me to follow
Give me the courage, give me the fortitude to say yes and follow where you may lead.
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