04/13/2026
Good morning and Welcome to todays Front Porch
Linda and I are in St Augustine on the beach with our camper for a couple of days so I have a little down time to share what I read today
Last post was about unlocking the door and sharing our trust in the risen lord Christ Jesus and today we share the unconditional love with you all. Question for you;
Have you ever felt you could not talk to someone you loved so much after you denied or talked bad about them and they knew you had?
Please read this from the book of John the story of Peter learning about true love.
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." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend to my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the 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. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me."
John 21:15-19
This is a interesting scripture and I believe it speaks loudly to many of us who are or have had to deal with shame in our lives. The text talks about the 3rd appearance that Jesus made to the disciples. The night before he appeared Peter got up and told the others he was going fishing. Now I don't know about y'all but when I am feeling depressed or saddened maybe broken down I sometimes just want to go fishing or be by myself. I don't really need to catch anything or talk to anyone, I just want to fish,or listen to the comforting words God will tell me. Sometimes I almost feel as if this is what Peter was feeling like. You see Jesus had asked Peter if he loved him previous to the above scripture (kinda) when he asked the disciples who they thought he was and Peter responded he was the son of God. Jesus then said you are Peter the pillar I will build my church on. Going back to Maundy Thursday, Jesus told Peter he would deny him three times before the C**k crowed. Peter said never, and before the c**k crowed Peter did exactly that, he denied Jesus 3 times. Jesus loved Peter and Peter loved Jesus. Can you imagine the pain Peter was dealing with after Jesus fulfilled the scriptures and rose on the third day after his death. Yes it was the proof that Jesus Christ was in fact the son of God and Peter denied knowing him. For three weeks Peter carried this pain. For three weeks Peter refused to accept the forgiveness that Jesus shed his blood for. Peter was carrying this pain, shame, guilt and all of his brokenness on himself. Maybe he was asking himself "how can I be the pillar after this?"
Peter had betrayed the most life giving relationship he had ever had.
While it was true that Jesus had conquered death and appeared to Peter and the others, Peter still felt that deep pain in the gut that comes when you're haunted by the great wrong you've done to someone you love. So there he was, going through the motions at work. Throw out the net, pull it in. Throw it out, pull it in. All night and not a single fish.
Peters pain needed to be transformed and Jesus knew this. If Jesus did not go to him the pain Peter was dealing with was going to pollute him and break him even more.
So Jesus appeared to Peter and asked him this question three times.
"Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" Jesus use the Greek word Philo or Brotherly love twice, then so Peter would understand more the last time he used Agape.
Over the years, I've found that to be true with our emotional and spiritual wounds as well. God goes to the heart of our deepest wounds and heals us from the inside out. If we don't let God into our brokenness, it will harbor infection and never quite heal.
Each of Jesus' questions cut deeper into Peter until the wound was completely exposed and Jesus' love could heal it. Rather than continuing to transmit his pain, Peter allowed it to be transformed. So may it be with you in the places of your brokenness and pain.
Jesus can heal you too. All you need to do is ask.
Further questions
Have you wronged someone and they ask for forgiveness but you refuse or can’t seem to let it go?
Have you been wronged and offered forgiveness and it has not been accepted?
May the peace that exceeds all understanding be with you all
