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April 19 Daily Devotional

Peter’s Grief

Frans Bakker

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? —John 21:17b

Bible Reading

John 21:15–17

Devotional

Christ asked Peter if he loved Him. Jesus could ask the same of our commitment level. We are no better than Peter. By nature we do not even love God. That is because we all have fallen way from God. How hardened we can be as we continue in sin despite God’s continued kindness to us. Are you like that? God has been good to you, and yet you do not love Him. The only love you have is for yourself. Please realize that you cannot love God and yourself at the same time. Self-love hardens you against God, your Benefactor. Therefore, seek repentance before it is too late.

Perhaps you agonize over your heart’s leanings. You are prone to hate God more than to love Him. This reality grieves you. Be encouraged that the more you love God, the more you realize how much you don’t love God. This is a sign that the Lord is working in your heart. The Lord gladly welcomes such grieving ones at His throne of grace.

“Lovest thou me?” The Lord Jesus asked this question of Peter. His grief was precisely because he loved his Master. You, too, need grace to be kept from denial and self-exaltation. The sin of pride lies also in your heart. How often do you not deny Him by thoughts, words, and deeds? Sins of the flesh are close to you. You, too, can be very self-centered. In essence, you are denying His Name. If you are honest, you have not done this three times, but you have done it thousands of times. Therefore, you belong beside Peter bearing the same shame and disgrace, for you, in your own power, cannot do anything but sin yourself outside of God’s favor. Do you know this grief?

What a wonder that the Lord does not ask if you have accomplished anything! If that were the question, then you would have to be rejected forever. But the Lord asks whether you still love Him. When there is love in your heart, you will recognize yourself in Peter’s answer. In that answer your heart will be laid bare. You acknowledge that God would not deal unjustly if He were to renounce you. And yet you feel deep love for God and, therefore, a heartfelt grief because of your sin. Only love for God will humble and melt you. That love would rather perish at the feet of God than go on without God. Whether the Lord will accept you or reject you, you cannot say anything else but “Thou knowest that I love thee.” It is a comfort for God’s child to pour out his heart before a God who knows all things. The omniscience of God is a source of comfort for God’s church.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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