Grace That Restores

Mirroring the pattern of his denials, Jesus asked him three times if he loved him more than the other disciples. This gave Peter three chances to declare his love—one for each denial. Jesus' response was to repeat his invitation for Peter to follow him (John 21:19), precisely the same invitation that had begun their relationship.

David Benner

After Peter’s three denials, Jesus didn’t shame him or cast him aside. Instead, He met Peter with grace, mirroring each denial with a chance to reaffirm love. Three times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?”—not to reopen the wound, but to heal it. And with each answer, Jesus not only restored Peter, He renewed the very call that started it all: “Follow me.” In this tender moment, David Benner reminds us that grace doesn’t ignore failure—it transforms it into deeper relationship.

For anyone carrying regret or feeling disqualified by past mistakes, this is good news. Jesus doesn’t disown us when we fall—He meets us in our brokenness and invites us to begin again. His call hasn’t changed. Whatever your past looks like, the invitation still stands: Follow me. Let your response today echo Peter’s: “Lord, you know I love you.” And trust that His grace is enough to lead you forward. —DH