Recommissioned
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."
- Hebrews 8:12
The Bible tells us that Jesus made many appearances after His resurrection. On one occasion, He appeared to 500 people. Another time, He appeared along shore as the disciples were out fishing on the Sea of Galilee. And when they came in, He served them breakfast.
John's Gospel records the after-breakfast conversation Jesus had with Peter:
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Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." (John 21:15–17)
Notice how many times Jesus asked that question: three times. How many times did Peter deny the Lord? Three times. Maybe there is a correlation between the two, and maybe not. But Jesus was recommissioning Peter.
This serves as a reminder that no matter what we have done, no matter what sins we have committed, there is always room for forgiveness.
Maybe you are in a backslidden state right now. Maybe you have hit bottom like Peter did, and you don't see a way out. There is always a way out. It is a way up, and it is through Jesus Christ. Take His hand and accept His forgiveness as you turn from your sin.
