May 6, 2018 · John 21:15–17 (NKJV)

Grace and Forgiveness

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."

“It helps you become a person who looks like Jesus. And part of doing the difficult thing of forgiving is to realize that many times the other person is just unable to even ask for forgiveness. They need it more than you do. The second thing that Jesus is doing here is that he's helping Peter learn to forgive himself. Peter needs to forgive himself. Kanye needed to forgive himself. Kanye paid for his mom's plastic surgery. You can imagine the question that was going through himself. What if I didn't pay? Was it my obsession with fashion and outward appearance that made her get the surgery? … Healing would only come through forgiveness. Forgiveness of the doctor; forgiveness of himself. Now, I know this is difficult. It's easy to say, forgive. It's easy to say, forgive yourself. Doing it is a different story. Can I suggest that you forgive yourself for not forgiving yourself, as a start? Be patient with yourself. Forgiveness is a personal journey, and yet it's something that God calls us to remember. If we say, no, no, I can't forgive myself — what we're saying is, God, whatever. I know better than you. You forgave me, but I'm not worthy of forgiveness. It's actually a supreme arrogance to not forgive yourself of what God has forgiven you of. And it's very difficult, and yet God calls us to accept my forgiveness. Peter — recognize. You're forgiven. And the third thing that happens is that Peter is restored to leadership in the community. This is why it's public.”