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E-Pearls : 03/10/2008
The disciple Peter had done it. He had just then denied that he knew the Lord for the third time over a short period. "And instantly, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord...And he went outside and wept bitterly." (Luke 22: 60b, 61a, 62) Peter was crushed, devastated: He had thrice denied the One he most loved. But the Lord did not in turn deny Peter. After Jesus' death and resurrection, He - the very God of the universe, the perfect Man, the redeeming Lamb of God - made a little trip to the seashore, where He proceeded to make breakfast for some returning fishermen. There, He patiently waited for His beloved disciples to return to shore. At last they returned.
After an intimate breakfast, the Lord turned to Peter and proceeded to ask him the same question three times: "Do you love Me?" After the third time, Peter was grieved, responding, "Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You." (John 21: 17b) Both Peter and the author of the above poem had it right: the Lord "knows all things," and thankfully "knows our case." In our old nature of sin we so often disappoint, and sometimes even deny, the Lord we love. But Jesus, understanding that we are "sick at heart," also knows something so very crucial to us: He "knows the healing art"! Jesus knew how to nurse Peter back to spiritual and emotional health. For each denial, Peter would be intrinsically healed by confessing to his Lord three times, "I love You." Thereafter, restored and encouraged, Peter would be sent onward to fulfill his calling -to care for and feed the Lord's sheep, His children.
We are often sick of heart from our failures and weaknesses. But the Lord knows, cares for us, and heals us, especially when we say, "Dear Lord, please forgive me for this. Lord Jesus, I love You!" Then, we may go forth in peace once more.
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