Redemption

I love the gospel of John. One of the most beautiful exchanges contained therein pertains to Simon Peter and Jesus Christ. It begins at the Last Supper, when Christ is teaching his disciples before he leaves.

Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. (John 13:36-38)

And as we know, that’s exactly what happens. After Jesus is taken, Peter and John wait at the palace of the high priest.

But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. (John 18:16-17)

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. (John 18:25-27)

John does not record this, but one of the other gospels reports that Peter “wept bitterly” upon realizing that he had in truth thrice denied the Saviour.

After his resurrection, Jesus shows himself to the disciples several times.

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith unto him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Thrice Peter denied Christ. And thrice Christ gave him the opportunity to assert his love, and instructed him on how best to show his love. Feed his sheep. And who are his sheep?

The man who cut you off in traffic when you were late to work. The tired-looking woman pushing the grocery cart with three kids at her heels. Your boss. Your newspaper carrier. Your brother. Your sister. Your parents. Your next-door neighbour who doesn’t like your dogs, and the guy down the block who comes by every few weeks to ask if he can cut your lawn. Your best friend. Your worst enemy.

Feed his sheep.