Friday
of the 7th Week of Easter
May 13, 2016 8:30am
Readings: Acts
25.13b-21
John
21.15-19
Today’s gospel tells us something
very wonderful about Jesus.
Peter has denied Jesus three
times.
Here Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?”
Jesus does not even mention what
Peter has done.
There is no put down, no
castigating, no vengeance and no punishment for Peter’s denial.
Jesus’ direct but completely respectful
questions allow Peter to rise to the occasion and redeem himself.
Or, to be more accurate, Jesus’
questions allow Peter to be redeemed by Jesus.
Then, Jesus takes Peter at his
word.
He trusts him.
Without saying a word, he restores
Peter to full relationship and friendship.
And then, with his trust in
Peter, Jesus entrusts him with an important responsibility – to care for his
sheep.
I imagine that many of us are at
some time in the position of Peter.
We, may need that opportunity to
be forgiven or redeemed in such a respectful way.
Or maybe, on the flip side, we
need to extend this opportunity to be forgiven and redeemed to someone in the
same gracious and respectful way that Jesus does here.
So, what a beautiful example and
lesson this passage is for us today!
