“A third time He asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love You.’ Jesus said, ‘Then feed My sheep.” (John 21:17 NLT)
It’s interesting to me that one of the last times Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection was, in the Gospel of Luke, reminiscent of the day He called Peter and John to follow Him. They had fished all night and caught nothing, but at Jesus’ command they lowered their nets that resulted in them catching many fish. Immediately they left the fish and began following the Lord. It was a similar scene after Jesus’ resurrection.
Apparently, the disciples didn’t expect to see Jesus, but after they caught so many fish, John told Peter that it was the Lord, so Peter immediately jumped into the water and headed to shore. I can’t help but believe he had to get some things off his chest related to his denial of the Lord. We’re not privy to the conversation they had in the few moments before the other disciples showed up, but I want to believe the Lord assured Peter of His love and forgiveness.
That may be why Peter seemed so taken aback when Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him. Imagine Peter’s embarrassment. Can you see him squirming? Can you see what’s going through Peter’s mind: “Lord, why didn’t you ask me this when we were alone? Why do you need to embarrass me in front of my friends? I know I messed up, but do you need to rub it in?”
Has the Lord ever allowed you to be embarrassed in front of your friends, family, or colleagues? In my first pastorate I was on the State Board for our governing body, so I volunteered for our church to host one of our quarterly meetings. I had forgotten that the host pastor was asked to give a brief message, so I wasn’t prepared.
If you know me, you know I don’t do “extemporaneous.” I get nervous enough when I’m prepared, so when I was asked to speak, the only thing that came to mind was an illustration from a message I’d heard from a prominent pastor years before. But within the first few words I realized that many in the audience must have heard that same message, but I was committed, so I persevered to a very embarrassing end.
What bothered me most about that incident wasn’t just my own embarrassment, but the fact that my lack of preparedness was an embarrassment to the Lord and to my church. It’s hard to admit to yourself when you’ve blown it, but gratefully, the Lord wouldn’t let me blow it off. Rather, He used it to teach me a lesson I’ve never forgotten.
Some things I learned in an article I read by Janel Breitentstein hopefully will help us better know how to handle those embarrassing moments. First, consider for whom you have the most concern, yourself or the other party, whether a person, or in my case, a group of people. Another valid question is: “What’s beneath my embarrassment?” Am I the source of my embarrassment or is someone else to blame? If it’s someone else, how will I handle overcoming my feelings of disappointment or anger in that person or persons?”
Janel concluded her article by writing: “Like any other conflict, embarrassment is an opportunity: to love each other better, act and grow to be like Jesus, and honor Him even when you haven’t been.”
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 