Regret

Regret. When a dear loved one is leaving us, think of how important those final words are to us. I wonder how many times Simon Peter thought back on these words from the Lord and regretted his actions?

15. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

18. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

19. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

John 21:15-19, KJV

Regret

When a dear loved one is leaving us, think of how important those final words are to us. I wonder how many times Simon Peter thought back on these words from the Lord and regretted his actions?

Three times, Peter had denied his Lord, and when he realized what he had done, he went out and wept bitterly. Jesus, in John 21, is making a special point to show Peter that he must now go on. His shame should no longer consume him; rather he should be about his Father's business.

I think one of the most difficult things to deal with in our Christian walk is our own sin. Consequently, we are more likely to forgive others than we are ourselves. Often we carry shame over past actions along with us for years.

If this is true, how effective is our walk for the Lord? Jesus was making sure that Peter did not make that mistake. Three times, one for each denial, he asked Peter if he loved Him. By the third time, Peter was getting quite annoyed, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

Of course the Lord knew that Peter loved Him; He was not asking these questions for himself, rather he was asking them to show Peter that he must move beyond his his regretful actions and feed the lambs of God.

As we look back on our lives, let us pray that we will put aside our shame over our former actions. God has long since forgiven us, and now we must forgive ourselves and move on. We have work to do for our Lord and Savior which must not be crippled by shameful deeds.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (Psalm 100:2, King James Version)

Next: Follow Me - verses 20-25