John 21:¹⁵ 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.” ¹⁶ 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 my sheep.” ¹⁷ 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.

I find it interesting that Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Seems like overkill. But today I read a commentary suggesting that the three questions are a response to Peter’s denial of Jesus three times. It can be construed as a form of forgiveness – not once, but three times. I really like that interpretation. An abundance of failure receives an abundance of grace.

I’m not my best self these days as the ongoing pandemic has thrown me for a bit of a loop. And I have no doubt I’m making more mistakes than usual, falling short of what might be possible in more normal times. So this morning I’m (once again) lifting my failures, my brokenness, asking for an abundance of grace and mercy. Lord let it be so. Amen.