LOVE: JESUS REINSTATES PETER
Acts 25:13–21; Psalm 103; John 21:15–19
Love is not proven in fine words, it is proven in sacrifice. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” three times, not to shame Peter, but to heal what had been broken by Peter’s three denials. Jesus was not testing Peter’s voice; He was weighing his heart!
Like Peter, many of us say, “Jesus, I love you.” We even pray it in church after Communion. But is it mere emotion or deep devotion? Are we deeply conscious of the depth of the things we say?
True love for Jesus is not poetic, it is powerful, practical, personal and sacrificial. It means feeding His sheep. It means following Him even when it leads to the cross.
At the third time, Peter was broken but honestly said, “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you!” (John 21:17). That is the voice of a man who finally knows grace. “You know everything” is a confession of the theological truth of God’s omniscience. God knows everything, even our most inner thought.
“You know everything…” would also mean, you know my weakness and strength, you know my tricks, cheat, you know my struggles and you know I love you. Jesus noticed Peter’s sincerity and he reinstated him. Sometimes, Christ does not demand perfection; He demands authenticity.
Beloved, grace restores what guilt has broken. This experience of Peter is a witness of Christ restorative theology in action. Reversing Peter’s failure with intentional grace. This moment is deeply sacramental, a sign of confession and absolution. This is how divine mercy works at the confessional, it confronts, heals, and reinstates.
Jesus draws Peter into agape, the self-giving, sacrificial love of God not emotional affection. He said to him “Feed my sheep.” This is more than a task, it is a vocational commissioning. A pastoral charge! To love Jesus is to love what He loves, His people, His mission, His Church.
You may have failed, but God is still calling your name.
LET US PRAY:
Lord Jesus, You know everything — our past, our pain, our potential. Restore us by Your mercy, rekindle our love by Your Spirit, and recommission us by Your grace. May we follow You not just in words, but in cross-shaped obedience. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
