Peter Restored
This is my tenth post on the resurrection encounters.
15 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.”
16 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.”
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 Very truly I tell you, 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.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
Horsham: 26th May 2026
Love is a theme of Scripture. God desires our devotional love.
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.’
When Jesus first called Peter, he was a fisherman known as Simon. Jesus said ‘Follow me.’ Peter left his boat, his nets, his colleagues, his livelihood. Peter followed Jesus.
Now, on the beach near Capernaum, after his resurrection, Jesus catches up with Peter. Peter has returned to his old ways. He is with his friends. He is fishing.
On the morning of Christ’s arrest, Peter had denied his association with Jesus three times. On the beach, after breakfast, this is a resurrection encounter. Jesus asks Peter ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?‘ Three times. Each time he uses Peter’s old name. Straight to the heart of Peter’s identity.
‘Do you love me more than these?‘ Do you know me more than this boat, these nets, these fishermen, this livelihood. Jesus is asking, do you love me with all your heart, your soul, your strength, your mind?
‘I do love you. You know that I love you,‘ says Peter. Three times. Jesus said to Peter, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ Three times. Be a shepherd to those who are following me.
Jesus tells Peter where this will lead.
18 Very truly I tell you, 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.” (v18)
For Peter, following Jesus would lead him to his own execution in Rome. His hands outstretched. Crucifixion. If you love me, leave all this behind you. ‘Follow me.’
This is a second chance. This is restoration.
Peter, of course, immediately turns back and sees John. In effect says to Jesus, ‘What about him?’ Moments after his restoration, it’s as if Peter has lost focus. Again. Christ responds directly. ‘What is that to you? You must follow me.” Don’t worry about stuff which has nothing to do with you.
Focus. If you love me, focus on me. Fix your eyes on me. Follow me.
End Piece
However close Peter had felt to Jesus, after Christ’s arrest and execution, Peter was a broken man. He had trusted Jesus as a friend. He knew that he had let Jesus down. When he realised what he had done, Peter broke down and wept (Mark:14:72). He had believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but surely the Messiah was not supposed to die like this.
On the morning of resurrection, Peter was skeptical that Christ had risen. He was amongst those who disbelieved the reports of the women (Luke 24:11). Yet later that day, the risen Jesus appeared to Peter. On at least two later occasions, Peter was there with other disciples when Jesus appeared. This conversation takes place after the appearance which we have called ‘breakfast on the beach‘.
I am so grateful for Peter. I can identify with Peter. He made mistakes. He got stuff wrong. I’ve done that too. Like Peter, there have been moments when I know that I have let Jesus down.
I love the fact that in his resurrection, Jesus took Peter to one side and spoke to him. He didn’t tell Peter that he was forgiven. He just told him not to be distracted, but to focus and follow.
Peter was forgiven. Peter was restored. Peter followed. He went on to fulfil his commission as that foundation rock of the Christian Church, first in Jerusalem, and later in Rome.
If. like me, you are a follower of Jesus, you still need to answer that question. ‘Do you love me?’
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.’