Day Twenty-Nine · 30 Encounters with Jesus

Do You Love Me?

After the resurrection, Peter has denied Jesus three times. Jesus appears on a beach at dawn, has made breakfast over a charcoal fire, the same kind of fire Peter stood at when he denied Him, and asks the same question three times.

John 21:15–19 Bonus Days: What He is Asking of Me Now
Today's Scripture

Do you love me? Feed my sheep.

John 21:17
Also Read

Jesus did not bring up the denial. He did not require a confession or an apology before proceeding. He just made breakfast.

John 21:9

He is still asking. To you. Right now. After this month. After whatever has happened in your story.

John 21:17
Teaching

Jesus did not bring up the denial. He did not require a confession or an apology before proceeding. He just made breakfast. And then He asked a question. The same question, in the same number as the denials, at a charcoal fire, exactly the kind that had been burning when Peter swore he did not know Him.

Peter was hurt by the third asking. Not by the first two, but by the third, he felt something. And maybe that was the point. Three times he had failed. Three times Jesus was asking something back into place. Do you love Me? Not: have you repented enough? Not: are you ready to be useful? Do you love Me?

The commission that follows, feed my sheep, tend my lambs, is not a performance evaluation. It is the work that flows from love. Jesus did not restore Peters ministry and then ask if he loved Him. He asked if he loved Him and then gave him the ministry. Love is the ground everything else grows from.

He is still asking. To you. Right now, after this month. After whatever has happened in your story, after however many times you have gone back on what you said. Do you love Me?

Speak This Out Loud
"Yes. I love You. Restore what I have denied. Give me back the thing I walked away from. I will tend the lambs."
Today's Challenge

Answer Honestly

Jesus is asking you right now. Not theologically. Not with a church answer. Actually, in the real state of your heart. What is your answer?

Journal Prompts
  • What is my answer today, honestly?
  • What have I denied that needs restoring?
  • What ministry has been waiting for love to return?
  • Where have I gone back on what I said?
Reflection Questions
  • What does Jesus mean by love here?
  • Am I answering with my head or my life?
  • What does feeding His sheep look like for me?
  • Where do I need restoration today?
Today's Prayer

Lord, You know all things. You know I love You, and You know all the ways that love has been weak and inconsistent and afraid. I am not hiding from the question. Yes. I love You. Restore what I have denied. Give me back the thing I walked away from. I will tend the lambs. In Jesus name, Amen.

He is still asking. To you. Right now. Do you love Me?

With love, Claire