Follow Me: The Contradiction (1)

Jesus said, "Peter do you love me?". Peter said, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love You". Jesus said, "Feed my lambs". Jesus said a second time, "Peter do you love me?". Peter said, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love You". Jesus said, "Feed my lambs". Jesus said a third time, "Peter do you love me?". Peter was grieved because Jesus asked him the third time. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You. Jesus said to Him, "feed my sheep". (John 21:15b-17, paraphrase mine)

The repetition of "do you love me" took place after Peter's thrice "I don't know Him" denials. The juxtaposition of the two conversations exposes the vast contradiction between Peter's nature and the Divine nature. At times, like Peter, we experience deep unworthiness as we confront a heightened sense of that vast contradiction. The contradiction of human versus Divine nature cannot stand in the way of God's saving love and/or the assignments of service as disciples. Afterall, a new person is new in Christ alone, not in themselves.

The contradiction of natures sometimes results in irreversible stain and consequence in this world. Sin's stain stayed with Peter in the eyes of men; we still talk about it today. But Peter's restoration as a disciple of Christ, and Christ's use of him as an apostle, is still doing God's work, not least in me, today. Peter himself is with the Lord, perfected.

In Christ, God has removed the eternal consequence and sees us as "white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). Every time we recognize the contradiction and repent, we must come forth as 'new people', confident in Christ's work (Romans 8:1) rather than crushed by our own. To wallow endlessly in self-pity and self-deprecation is sin. Get up, look up, and get to work. To Peter, Christ said, "feed my lambs". What has He said to you?