Daily Devotion for April 28 - John 21:15 - 19

Verse
John 21:15–19 (ESV)
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 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 grieved 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. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This He said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Meditation
Jesus restores Peter not by ignoring his failures but by addressing his heart. Three times Peter had denied Him; now three times Jesus invites Peter to confess his love. The Good Shepherd commissions Peter to feed and tend His flock, entrusting weak and forgiven men with the care of His Church. Christ’s grace does not merely pardon; it restores, it calls, and it sends. Even the knowledge of future suffering and death cannot overshadow the simple, powerful call: “Follow Me.” So we, too, are called—not because we are strong or worthy, but because Christ's mercy reshapes our lives for His service.

Old Testament
Ezekiel 34:15–16 (ESV)
“I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I Myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.”

Collect
O merciful Lord, who restores the fallen and strengthens the weak, grant that we who have denied You in thought, word, and deed may be restored by Your forgiving grace. Feed us with Your Word and Sacraments, and make us faithful shepherds of those entrusted to our care, that in life and death we may glorify Your holy Name. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse
I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free.
— I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus – LSB 729:1