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Peter saw Jesus on the shore and leapt into the water. He was so glad Jesus was alive, but his heart felt a collision of hope and shame. He carried the weight of denial, fear, and failure, haunted by the memory of his weakness when Jesus needed him most. Yet Jesus didn’t meet him with rebuke or accusation. He asked one question, three times: “Do you love me?” Not “Why did you fail?” or “How could you?”—but “Do you love me?” Because love is the beginning of restoration. In the New covenant, Spirit-empowered love for Jesus is the motivation for obedience, righteousness, and holiness. Jesus knew that if Peter still loved Him, then the future could be redeemed.

This is the mercy of Christ: He doesn’t define us by our worst moment, but He can use it. Our failures humble us, and humility equips us to minister to “lambs” with compassion. Those who’ve tasted brokenness are safest to care for the broken. Jesus didn’t disqualify Peter—He recommissioned him. And He does the same for us. When we miss the moment, shrink back in fear, or fall short in faith, He doesn’t shame us. He simply asks, “Do you love me?” Because if we do, He invites us to walk with Him again and reveal His heart to sheep both lost and found.

Friend, there was only one man on that beach who had never failed.  And Jesus walked in perfect humility because He perfectly loved the Father and perfectly loved people. We don’t love perfectly but when we turn from failure and turn to Him, He can heal the past and free the future. So no matter what happened yesterday, last year, or five minutes ago—He just asks, “Do you really love me?” Yes, Lord. “Well, we can go on from there!”