Old Peter, new Peter…
James Cathcart
May 08, 2025
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John 21: 15-19 (NIVUK)
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!’
Repetition has power.
Repetition has power.
Repetition has power.
Three times Peter rejects Christ and now three times he accepts him.
Three times he denied Christ as the flames burned in the courtyard brazier.
Three times he acknowledges Christ as the flames burn on the charcoal fire.
Perhaps Christ knows that in the days and months and years to come Peter needs something to hold on to. A countervailing weight.
Jesus does not need Peter to prove himself three times.
But maybe Peter himself needs it.
Christ exists as much outside of time as inside time. So let’s apply a sense of time to these three questions:
‘Did you love me Peter?’
‘Yes I did!’
‘Do you love me Peter?’
‘Yes I do!’
‘Will you love me Peter?’
‘Yes I will!’
Sometimes we are in that first place, willing to acknowledge that we loved Christ, loved what Christ meant, loved who he was, what he represented, or love what Christ has done for us in the past.
Sometimes we are in that second place, inviting Christ to this moment, loving who he is now, not just who he has been.
And sometimes we are in that third place, committed to loving Christ through it all, not just when he feels present, but trusting and following in the ache and hollow.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus
When we want to remember your past love
help us to remember your present love.
When we want to get to know you as a historical figure
remind us also that you are our friend here and now.
And give us the strength to love you
in the ache and hollow
when we feel abandoned and hurt.
Thank you for your eternal love.
Thank you for your eternal love.
Thank you for your eternal love.
Amen.
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