Contemplating the Depth of Christ’s Love and Forgiveness: From Denial to Restoration (John 21, 15-19).

Peace and Love of the Risen Christ Jesus be with you, dear Sisters, and Brothers in Christ!!!

Today, we reflect on a profound and heart-touching moment in the Gospel of John, chapter 21, verses 15 to 19. This passage presents us with an intimate and powerful encounter between Jesus and Peter, one that speaks to us about forgiveness, restoration, and the deep love that Jesus has for each of us.

To set the scene, this passage takes place after Jesus' resurrection. The disciples are by the Sea of Galilee, having just shared a miraculous catch of fish and breakfast with the risen Lord. Amidst this ordinary yet extraordinary setting, Jesus turns to Peter and asks, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

Jesus' question pierces through the layers of Peter’s heart. Recall that Peter had denied Jesus three times during the night of His arrest. Peter, who had once declared his unwavering loyalty, found himself broken by his own weaknesses and fear. In this moment, Jesus is not seeking information but offering an invitation—a chance for Peter to confront his failure and find redemption.

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Jesus asks. Peter responds, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus then says, “Feed my lambs.”

This exchange repeats two more times, each time touching deeper into Peter's soul. With each question, Peter feels the weight of his past denials, but also the profound opportunity for reconciliation. By the third time, Peter is grieved and replies, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus’ response remains consistent: “Feed my sheep.”

In presenting this dialogue, John highlights the fact that in the first two times, Jesus' uses the Greek word ἀγαπάω (agapaō). Each time Peter responded using the expression φιλέω (phileō). Agape (ἀγαπάω) refers to a selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love. It's often described as a radical or divine kind of love. While Philia (φιλέω) represents a love of friendship, affection, or close bond. It's a more emotional. Jesus seeks a deeper commitment from Peter, a love that reflects God's own love (agape). While Peter expresses genuine affection (philia). Jesus finally accepted the love of friendship Peter offers him.

Here, we witness the tender mercy of Christ. Jesus is not merely forgiving Peter; He is restoring him. Each affirmation of love from Peter corresponds to his previous denials, symbolically erasing his guilt and commissioning him anew. Jesus entrusts Peter with the care of His followers, emphasizing that love for Christ must be expressed through service and shepherding of His people.

This passage calls us to reflect on our own lives: is our love for Jesus radical? Do you love him above all?  How often have we, like Peter, failed to live up to our commitments and convictions as Christians, disciples of Jesus? How often have we let fear, doubt, or sin create a chasm between us and our Savior Jesus Christ? Yet, in this story, we find hope. Jesus does not abandon us in our failures. Instead, He seeks us out, inviting us to reaffirm our love for Him and recommitting us to His mission.

Notice also the nature of the love Jesus asks of Peter. It is a love that goes beyond words and feelings; it demands action : “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep.” Our love for Jesus must manifest in how we care for one another, how we serve those in need, and how we nurture the faith of others. It is a call to be shepherds in our own right, in whatever capacity we can, within our families, our communities, and our world.

Finally, Jesus foreshadows Peter's future, hinting at the sacrifices he will make. “When you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” Jesus’ prediction signifies the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. This reminder of sacrifice and commitment speaks to us all, challenging us to consider the cost of discipleship and the depth of our dedication to following Christ.

Peter's experience with Jesus reminds me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's famous book, The Cost of Discipleship,[1] which critiques "cheap grace." Bonhoeffer describes cheap grace as self-bestowed grace – preaching forgiveness without repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal accountability.

Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, without the cross, without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ. It's a grace that doesn't transform us or demand a change in lifestyle. Some in our society readily embrace talk of God's mercy but reject the idea that this divine mercy offers a chance for salvation, a way out of sin (Romans 6:2).

Yes, it is important to take comfort in the boundless mercy of our Lord, but this should not be done in total negligence of the sacrifice of the Cross. If we truly love Jesus, we will keep his commandments (John 14:15-24). Inspired by Peter's journey from denial to restoration, let us understand that no failure is too great for God's forgiveness. And let us be moved to action, expressing our love for Jesus through our care of others, especially the most vulnerable, the poorest, the abandoned in our society today.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ empower us to love more deeply, serve more faithfully, and follow Him more closely, all the days of our lives.

Amen.

 

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[1] Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, The Cost of Discipleship, Translated by R.H. Fuller, Rev. Ed. New York: Macmillan, 1963. (Originally published as Nachfolge in 1937).