“Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.””JOHN 21:17 · BSB · READ THE CHAPTER →Greek: anthrakia (G439), a charcoal fire
The Greek word anthrakia, a fire of coals, appears only twice in the entire New Testament. Both times, Peter is standing beside one.
The first is in the high priest's courtyard the night Jesus was arrested. Peter warmed himself at a charcoal fire, and three times he denied he even knew Jesus. Then the rooster crowed. The smell of that fire would have been burned into his memory.
The second is on the shore of Galilee after the resurrection. Peter has gone back to fishing. Jesus is waiting on the beach, and He has built a charcoal fire, with fish and bread already on it. He recreates the scene of Peter's worst failure on purpose, and then He serves him breakfast.
Three denials. Three questions. “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Jesus doesn't humiliate Peter. He lets him answer each denial with a declaration of love. Scholars debate how much to make of the two Greek words for love used here, agapaō and phileō. Either way, Jesus does not ask Peter to grovel. He asks him to love, and then He gives him a job: “Feed My sheep.”
Jesus will bring you back to the place of your failure, not to shame you, but to heal you there. Your worst moment is not the end of your calling. The Peter who denied Jesus beside a fire is the Peter who preached at Pentecost with fire resting on his head.
- What failure do you still “smell” when you get close to it?
- Can you hear Jesus asking you, simply, “Do you love me?”
- What has He called you to feed or lead, even after you fell?
Bring your worst failure to Jesus in prayer, name it plainly, and then tell Him you love Him.
One chapter a day will change you more than one big moment a year.