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." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry youwhere you do not wish."
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
So far, we have looked at “all things” in a wide variety of situations ranging from the infinite to the infinitesimal. Now on to the personal; Jesus demonstrates that He is well acquainted with our inmost thoughts. And Peter concurs.
How often do I think I'm fooling my Lord with a brief flash of greed or lust or jealously or covetousness or … Hah, the jokes on you, John. He knew you before you were in your mother's womb. And all your thoughts.
Readings:
Morning Psalm 97, Noon Psalm 119:57-64, Evening Psalm 48
