John 21 - Shame has no hold

¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

¹⁶Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." ¹⁹Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

Jesus asked Simon Peter three times if he loved Him, not because Jesus was trying to embarrass Peter, but because Jesus was giving him three times to proclaim his love for Him. This was to overcome the three times that Peter denied Jesus, so now Peter was able to proclaim his love for Jesus three times. Isn’t Jesus good? He knew Peter was hurt and ashamed for denying Him and He gave Peter a chance to redeem himself. What an awesome testament to the goodness of Jesus and His love for us.

Maybe you have denied Jesus too, maybe you have regret and shame then, like Peter, you have a chance to redeem yourself. Spend some time right now proclaiming your love for Jesus, as for forgiveness for your denial of Him, and He will forgive you, reinstate you, and allow you to move on for His glory, no longer to be paralyzed by shame and regret.