Many Chances to Repent

The sense of guilt can be a strong and even crippling emotion. When we sin once or twice, it is easy to return to God. But when we sin multiple times, guilt can get the best of us and we often choose to stay away from God. Thankfully, God gives us as many chances as we need.

Today is the Feast of the Falling Asleep of Saint the Theologian. He wrote the Gospel According to John, three epistles and the Book of Revelations. He was the only original apostle not to die a martyr’s death. His faith was great and his witness to God’s love even greater.

It is his telling of the story of Peter’s repentance that touches me today. After Peter had denied even knowing Christ during His trial, he was still given a chance to repent after the resurrection. This story is also misunderstood by many modern Christians.

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. And he said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, 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 John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.” Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

John 21.14-25

Christ knew Peter’s heart. He also knew Peter needed help to repent, so Christ gave Peter what he needed. Instead of waiting for Peter to come to Him and seek forgiveness, Christ gave Peter a chance to undo his three denials.

For every denial Peter had given that fateful night in the courtyard, Christ allowed Peter to confess his love for Him. “Do you love me? Yes Lord, You know that I love You.” On the surface this was just a routine dialogue, but after the third time Peter remembered his denial.

In a similar fashion to the original denials, after the third confession Peter’s soul cracked open. Instead of hearing the rooster crow, Peter heard God’s voice, “Do you love Me?” In an instant Peter’s love for God was eternally solidified, living to an old age witnessing to God’s love.

Don’t allow guilt to keep you away from Christ. Hear today’s Gospel passage as your chance to repent, as it was for Peter. God is asking you today, “Do you love Me?” What is your answer?