When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17

To the initial observer, this passage might seem strange. Jesus seems to be a broken record who has forgotten the question-and-answer exchange he’s just had with Peter.

However, instead, I think this passage is beautifully restorative and redemptive.

It is unclear whether this conversation between Jesus and Peter is a one-to-one conversation, or whether it is said in the vicinity of all the other disciples, with them listening in. Regardless, Peter’s restoration is clear.

Peter had denied Jesus three times in his hour of need. Here, Jesus doesn’t rebuke him. Rather, he gifts Peter with autonomy and a strong vote of confidence.

Jesus could have just told Peter how to think. But Jesus isn’t like that. Jesus lets us think for ourselves and come to our own decisions. There’s no brainwashing or coercion with Jesus. There’s autonomy instead.

There’s also confidence that Peter will choose what is right. If Jesus didn’t think Peter would say the right thing, I doubt he would have asked him, and three times, and potentially in front of his peers.

But Jesus has every confidence in Peter.

And Peter doesn’t let Jesus down. He answers correctly: “Yes, Lord…you know that I love you.”

And having obtained that confirmation, Jesus then tells Peter – here’s a task for you.

That’s bestowing even more confidence upon Peter.

What a gracious God we find in the pages of the Bible.

Yours resting in his grace,

Alison