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.”
–John 21:16
I was talking to a high school football coach once and he said something that I loved. He said, “You know, anybody can coach winners.” And he’s right.
Anyone can coach the kids who do what you tell them. But it takes a special kind of coach to coach kids who don’t always do it the right way. And nobody understands this truth better than Jesus.
For instance, Jesus knew that Simon Peter would deny him and make all kinds of mistakes in those final hours before his crucifixion. But Jesus refused to let Simon Peter live in defeat.
After his resurrection, Jesus found him and coached him through his failure. Note how that conversation didn’t browbeat him or say, “I told you so.” No! Jesus asked Peter a simple, but all-important question, “Do you love me?”
Jesus helped Simon Peter remember what’s really important. Jesus helped him move beyond his failure and get on with ministry! And that’s what Jesus does for you and me when we fail. If you love Jesus, get over yourself and get on with serving him!
Jesus is never going to give up on you. Don’t give up on yourself. Let Jesus restore you today to himself and to his work.
IF YOU LOVE JESUS, GET OVER YOURSELF
AND GET ON WITH SERVING HIM!
