From here on …

At some time in your life, you will hurt another human being.

Hopefully not physically, but you’ll fail them, disappoint them, perhaps betray the trust they’ve given you. And sometimes when that happens, you can’t go back and fix the harm you’ve done.

What do you do when you can’t fix the harm you’ve caused in a relationship?

I’m sure that was something the Apostle Peter wrestled with intently after denying Jesus on three occasions (you can read about that in Matthew 26:69-75). It appears that Jesus was very aware of Peter’s problem of being unable to fix the harm he had caused in his relationship with his Lord — and so Jesus did something about it by giving Peter three opportunities to state his love for Him:

“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, “you know I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said. A third time he asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Then feed my sheep,'” John 21:15-17.

Sometimes you can’t fix the harm you’ve done; all you can do is embrace the forgiveness offered, and from then on move forward with a fresh commitment to the relationship.

Peter did that, and it changed his life.

You can do that, too.

Scotty