Reflection of the Day

"So 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.' He said to him, 'Tend My lambs.' He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Shepherd My sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Tend My sheep.'"

John 21:15-17

After Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62) despite saying that he would never deny Jesus even if he were to die (Mark 14:29-31), broken at how he had failed Jesus, Peter returned to his old profession of fishing even though Jesus had risen from the dead (John 21:1-3). Yet Jesus sought Peter out and demonstrated His glory to Peter and the other disciples in providing them with a catch after these veteran fishermen endured a night of hard labour without catching a single fish (John 21:3-14).

And after this display of His glory, demonstrating Himself to them without a shadow of a doubt as the risen Lord, Jesus approached Peter to re-commission him. Jesus loved Peter so much that he provided an avenue for Peter to proclaim his love and dedication for Him three times, once each for each of the times he had denied Jesus. Such tender, loving grace that Jesus showed to Peter!

But not content with that, Jesus called Peter, "Simon, son of John." What is the significance of this thrice repeated patronymic? The name Johanan or John means "the grace of God." Hence, here we see Jesus calling Peter, "Simon, son of the grace of God." He was in effect calling Peter, "Simon, son of My grace. You are the son of My grace. Though you have failed with your human strength, but it is not by your works but by My grace that you have been chosen." And with this, Jesus re-commissioned Peter as His apostle to the circumcision.

Not just did Jesus give Peter the opportunity to re-affirm his love for Him once for each denial, Jesus re-commissioned Peter and assured Him that he was the son of His grace. It is all by God's grace.

I was wowed and moved to worship. This is the tender, loving Shepherd I know and worship with my all, and even this, is purely by His grace.