August 29

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’
Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’” (John 21:17)

In 2 Timothy 3:13, there emerges a profound truth that applies to all believers, whether they be the Apostle Peter or ourselves: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” This is a good thing for us, since all humans are chronically unfaithful beings. At this noonday, let us look at today’s text verse. Jesus relaxes with Peter on the shore after His crucifixion and resurrection. Just a few days earlier, Peter had denied the Lord Master three times, even as Jesus was being tortured. But here, Peter’s Master gave him three opportunities to express his love for Him, and the apostle did so. Jesus made His forgiveness complete when He gave Peter his marching orders for the remainder of his life: “Now that the offense is behind us, Peter, go to work for me and build my Church!” (If you will allow me this liberty of paraphrasing Jesus’ three words, “Tend my sheep.”) Our Savior, as God in the flesh, has a perfect character – and one attribute of that perfect character is faithfulness. Jesus was faithful to His disciple in His perfect forgiveness, His perfect love, and His perfect promise to keep all of His children to the very end, regardless of our own imperfections, flaws, and chronic sin nature. Did you realize, beloved, that you are no different at all in the eyes of your Lord Master than Peter? His absolute grace, flawless love, and sinless faithfulness apply to you, just the same! So why not simply take this moment to sit with Jesus, pour out your heart, and be at peace with the One Who has, and will always be, faithful to you – even to the very end of the world! (Matthew 28:20)

 
Before the King at Midday

 
“Lord Master, Author of all Grace, forgive me of my chronic failure of faith and faithfulness to You and to Your created. Recreate my human heart and make it like Yours – faithful even to the very end of all things. Amen.”