7/22/25 Daily Devotion: Out Of Synch?

John 21:15-19 - "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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 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.” 17 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. 18 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.” 19 (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.”

Do you ever feel like you are just out of synch with God? Like you are trying really hard to serve Him but you seem to keep failing? … Peter did.

When we find Peter here in John 21, he’s returned to his fishing boat after a whirlwind couple of years in ministry with Jesus … He had seen the RESURRECTED JESUS and here he was, aimlessly attempting to fish with no Purpose. Think about Peter’s last few days & weeks …

• Jesus had said “get behind me Satan” in response to Peter’s discussion of avoiding His impending death.

• Peter had flubbed & misunderstood the Transfiguration and appearance of Moses & Elijah.

• Peter had misunderstood Jesus’ washing of the disciple’s feet.

• Jesus told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times.

• Peter fell asleep instead of praying with & for Jesus in His darkest hour … three times!

• Peter was scolded by Jesus for attacking & maiming one of His captors.

• Peter denied knowing Jesus and being associated with Him at all … three times!

Peter had failed Jesus A LOT and even though he had seen Jesus Resurrected … he didn’t know what that meant for him. Had he messed up his opportunity to be used by Jesus because of his failings and shortcomings? … do you ever feel that way?

Look at Jesus. See His message to Peter here in John 21! Jesus finds Peter aimlessly & woefully depressed … and Jesus invites Peter back into relationship with Him.

• Jesus didn’t ask Peter to clarify his failures … He didn’t ask Peter to confirm his denial … Jesus asks Peter “DO YOU LOVE ME?”

• Then Jesus simply says … FOLLOW ME.

No matter how you’ve failed Him (and we all have!) … Jesus doesn’t need you to detail all of your mistakes & blunders … He simply is asking “Do you LOVE Me? … Follow Me.”

• He will overcome all of our failures with His Purpose … when we FOLLOW HIM!

No matter how much failure you have stacked up … He is calling you to FOLLOW HIM.

Do you Love Jesus? … Follow Him.