#1492. Jesus’ Last Words … On Restoration (10/4/26)
- Matt Beaney
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. As we approach Easter, we are reflecting on some of Jesus’ final words from the Last Supper and the Upper Room Discourse in John’s Gospel.
Today, as we finish reflecting on Jesus’ last words, let’s celebrate how He restores us - no matter how much we fail!
To watch this devotional, please select the link below:
1. You will disown me - Peter’s betrayal
‘…Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”’ (John 13:37-38)
During the Last Supper, just before His betrayal and death, Jesus foretells what is about to happen. In response to Peter’s pride and self-confidence, Jesus predicts his denial: ‘“Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”’
We all betray Jesus more than we know. We fail to share our faith. We fail to correct a wrong. We fail to act as God would want. We do and don’t do things that we should… The only difference is that we don’t often have the crowing of a rooster to draw our attention to our betrayal.
‘…Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.’ (John 18:16-18, 15-26)
Luke add this powerful aspect:
‘The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.’ (Luke 22:61)
Being brought face to face with our failure can be the ruin or the making of us! It can cause use to run away from our faith or it can cause us to be humbled and matured. God’s discipline is good for us. The disillusionment of our own goodness gives us the poverty of spirit that frees us to rely on Christ in a new way.
2. Feed my sheep - Peter’s restoration
After Jesus’ resurrection, we read of how Jesus restores Peter:
‘When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”’ (John 21:15-17)
Peter is an example to all of us that the truly repentant can be restored.
He asks him ‘Do you love me more than these’? This takes us back to Peter’s pride; he thought that he was better than the others:
‘Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”’ (John 13:34)
In Mark we read:
‘“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”’ (Mark 14:27-29)
Peters’ response - “you know that I love you.” - with no claim to loving ‘more than these’, seems to show a humbled and more measured Peter.
In response, Jesus tells Him, Feed my lambs.” He commissions Peter to be a good shepherd. They are Jesus’ ‘lambs’ and he is to tend them on His behalf.
Jesus asks Him the same thing three times (with slight variation):
‘“Simon son of John, do you love me?”’
Jesus’ responds the way three times (with slight variation):
“Feed my sheep.”’
He repeats this three times, it seems, to correspond to Peter’s three denials. Jesus is humbling him. He’s pressing home to Him the vital aspects of Loving Jesus and loving the church by being a good shepherd.
Response
Like Peter, have we learned to stop comparing ourselves with others? Do we feel superior or envious? Jesus is not interested if you thing you love Him ‘more than these’! He’s interest that you love Him.
Secondly, do we ‘feed His lambs’? If we have a leadership role - Jesus wants us to be good shepherds who feed the flock through good teaching.
‘The measure of ministers’ love for Jesus is clearly demonstrated by their willingness to feed those entrusted to their care.’ (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)
If we are not in a form of leadership, how we we all teach and encourage one another - this is very pleasing to Jesus.
For all of us, let’s be comforted by the truth that we are Jesus’ sheep. He owns and loves us. He will ever reaming the true Good Shepherd of our lives.
Comments