Arulvakku

21.05.10 FORGIVENESS & MISSION

 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, 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 then said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, 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 John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." (Jesus) said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me." (Jn 21:15-19)

 

This scene between Jesus and Peter is one of the most spectacular interchange in the whole Bible. By way of forgiveness, Jesus gives a job to Peter to do. The author re-creates a scene like that of the denial of Peter. There is charcoal fire here too. There at the time of denial Peter was questioned about his belonging to the disciples of Jesus. He was questioned three times and all the three times he denied.

The smell of charcoal fire is to remind Peter of the past event. Jesus questions Peter about his love for the Master. If there is true love then there is the sense of belonging. Peter, earlier, denied his belonging to Jesus. He denied him three times. He denied him completely. Jesus questioning him three times is a reminder for Peter of what he had done.

The sign of forgiveness is the mission given to him (interesting!!!). Peter is only reminded of his past and nothing is said about it. With the starting of the mission the past is forgotten (forgiven). Things we are given to do precisely as the sign that we are forgiven. It is grace from start to finish. Could this be the secret of all Christian ministry?