Peter was upset … — John 21:17 The Message
If your feelings could talk, what would they say?
God often brings us to the place of looking inside, because it is in the "inner parts" (Psalm 51:6) that He wants to do His work.
In John 21, we have an uncomfortable meeting between the Risen Lord and the man who denied Him three times. Jesus doesn’t try to smooth things over. Instead, He stirs them up! He brings the shame and hurt that Peter felt right out into the open.
Jesus does not minimize. He does not ignore. There are no "elephants in the room" when Jesus is there. He wanted to restore Peter, and He knew the only way to do it was to get out the scalpel and do surgery on his soul.
Peter said that he would follow Jesus to prison and to death. But his promise was empty, a bunch of hot air. Peter now knows how little he has to offer. He’s not entirely sure that Jesus will take him back. So Jesus brings all this shame and uncertainty out into the open. Then He tells Peter the truth.
"You are restored. You will feed My sheep. After a long and faithful life, you will follow Me to prison and to death."
God’s word to us is transformational when it reaches us in the vulnerable place of our feelings.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.