Dear Christian friends:

The talk here between Peter and Jesus happened about two weeks after Jesus had risen from the dead. Some of the disciples and Peter went from Jerusalem to Galilee as Jesus had commanded them to wait for Him to appear to them again.

While they were waiting for Jesus to show up they decided to go fishing one night. But by morning they had caught nothing. When they came near the shore they saw a man standing. The man called out, "Do you have any fish?" They answered, "No." Then the man said, "Drop the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." So they did that and quickly it became full of large fish. Then they knew who the man was, Jesus. They hurried and brought the fish to shore and ate breakfast with the Lord.

After breakfast Jesus asked Peter: "Do you love Me?" By that question Jesus wanted to teach Peter some wonderful things. Jesus also wants to ask us that question this first Sunday after Easter. He wants to teach us the same wonderful things. If we listen carefully to Jesus' question it will also help us to prepare better for our Open House next week which begins next Sunday. So let us attend to our text and hear:

When Jesus asked Peter that question he felt very ashamed and sorry about his past sins. He knew that Jesus loved Him very much and He had failed to return that love. Peter knew that Jesus was right to demand and expect his love and loyalty, because Jesus was God's Son and He also suffered and died on the cross to win forgiveness of sins for him and for all people. Peter very clearly now understands and sees the beautiful love of Jesus for him.

So when Jesus asks Peter three times: "Do you love Me?" he felt very sad and ashamed and humble. Peter remembers how he lied to the servants of the high priest three times and said he was not Jesus' disciple. He remembers with a broken heart that at the same time Jesus was suffering much mockery and insults in the court of Annas. He knows Jesus remained true to God's purpose and did not deny or escape because he loved him and all men. Peter remembers how afraid he was and know he ran away to hide while Jesus stood alone: His friends forsaking Him; the government forsaking Him; the church forsaking Him and worst of all on the cross on Good Friday when God forsake Him.

Peter is very ashamed and broken-hearted because of Jesus' question to him: "Do you love Me?" Jesus also today, this Sunday after Easter, asks you: Do you love Me? I hope you, too, will feel very ashamed and sorry like Peter felt. We, too, have often failed to love Jesus. We have denied Jesus, too. Often we are afraid to confess our faith before the world. We excuse ourselves and say, "I don't want any trouble. I will keep still." When we are afraid to stand up for Jesus and defend Him before mockers and unbelievers we deny Him.

When we join with the weak and the sinners we deny Him. When we love pleasures and comforts more than God and His will and work we deny Jesus.

Yes, we should listen carefully to Jesus' question, "Do you love Me?" It impresses upon us that we often have failed. But that question should also make us very glad because it shows that Jesus still loves us and forgives us.

When Jesus asked Peter that question Peter knew that Jesus still loved Him and was ready to forgive him. If Jesus did not love Peter He would not ask him that question. He would not have attended to him, but left him alone and out of His church. Peter knows very well that Jesus is interested in him and wants him to be His disciple and helper again.

So also with you. By asking you that question today Jesus wants you to know that He loves you and forgives you. He is not angry or seeking to get revenge against you because you have failed Him in the past. He still loves you and is worried about you. He doesn't want you to feel forsaken or left out. He wants you to know that He is still your Lord and Savior. He wants you to be His disciple and helper again. He wants you to believe in Him and like Peter answer: "Yes, Lord, You know I love you."

By His visit and question Jesus wants your faith and love to grow stronger, so that you will be able to love Him better and serve Him truly in the future.

When Peter answered: "Yes, Lord, You know I love You," Jesus said: "Feed my lambs; feed my sheep." By these words Jesus showed Peter that He fully accepted him back into His church and let Him do God's teaching and preaching work.

Jesus also asks you to work for Him to tell others; teach others His Word and way to heaven as we are doing also in the Open House. If you did not love Him, if you were not His disciple, He would not let you work in His Church. By giving you work and responsibility in His Church Jesus shows that He still loves you and forgives you; accepts you as His disciple and helper. He also means that He will be with you always as you love Him and serve Him.

I hope you will be like Peter ashamed but not despair, humble and wiser trusting in Jesus great love and power. I hope you will answer that question like Peter: "Yes, Lord, You know I love you."

Amen