So why would Jesus ask Peter if he loved him three times? Imaging the scene, Jesus says “Peter do you love me”. So peter says “Yes I love you.” Jesus says “Peter do you love me”. So Peter getting a little frustrated says “Yes I do love you.” Jesus says once more “Peter do you love me”. So Peter shouts “Yes, yes, yes , yes I do love you.” But then we must remember this is the same Peter that denied he knew Jesus three times at the Crucifixion. Do you think just maybe Jesus is showing Peter forgiveness three times? What do we take away from this? Have you been hurt by someone and found it hard to forgive them. Maybe a mate has said some horrible things about you and you have found it hard to forgive them. It’s interesting that Peter is the one in need of forgiveness here, because earlier in his life he asked Jesus questions about forgiveness. Mathew 18:21-22 says Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Seventy seven times doesn’t mean that you give up on seventy eight, it means that you may have to forgive someone many times. It doesn’t mean that you leave yourself in a situation where someone keeps hurting you either, Jesus wouldn’t want you to do that. But remember when you think about if you want to forgive someone, just like Peter you may be the one needing forgiveness next time.
