Guilt and Shame

Peter undoubtedly carried a tremendous burden of guilt and shame after denying Jesus three times on the night of His arrest. In His wisdom and compassion, the resurrected Jesus gently asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” With each question, Jesus offers Peter an opportunity to reaffirm his devotion and loyalty—one response for each denial. This wasn’t meant to shame Peter, but rather to restore him and assure him of forgiveness. Through this loving exchange, Jesus not only reinstates Peter but also demonstrates that his failures do not define him. Instead, Jesus entrusts Peter with the vital responsibility to “feed my sheep,” signaling that he is fully forgiven and still called to play a vital role in the early church.