See the SCRIPTURES for this message and Phil's article to keep on track with the core message.

It sounds like the command of a shepherd to his apprentice shepherd. Not a big deal at first glance. But when examined more closely, Jesus' words of restoration of the apostle Peter are powerful reminders of grace and honesty.

The story is a symphony in three movements.

Movement One: Confrontation
Jesus lovingly confronts — "carefronts" — Peter by asking him three times, "Do you love me?" The first time he asks it, he challenges Peter about his promise to be faithful to the Lord, even to death, even if all the others fail him. Of course, Peter denied the Lord three times just as Jesus had warned him. But just as Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus asks him the question three times!

Movement Two: Contrition
When Jesus asks Peter "the third time," the light went on — or show we say the rooster crowed — and Peter realized what was Jesus was doing. He was sad and distressed when he recognized his failure of the Lord. (For us, this occurs when we recognize and confess our sin!)

Movement Three: Cleansing
Peter had to confront his sin and be restored to be what Jesus had called him to be. So after being tactfully clear about Peter's sin, Jesus restores him to a leadership position: three times he calls him to be a shepherd to the Lord's people! "Feed my sheep!"

We need to realize that confronting our sin and confessing it is crucial to our restoration to usefulness and spiritual health. But, Jesus is faithful, and when we do these things, he not only forgives us, but he cleanses us and restores us to usefulness! (1 John 1:9)