LoveSample

Jesus knows the way betrayal feels. He had one of His closest friends deny even knowing Him. On the night that Jesus was taken to be crucified, Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, denied knowing Jesus three times. Talk about getting hurt by someone who was closest to you!

After Jesus rose from the grave, we read His encounter with Peter in John 21. Rather than being angry and turning His back on Peter, Jesus chose to go the extra mile. He chose to show Peter love and forgiveness even when Jesus had every right to turn His back. He even invited Peter to take the step of feeding His sheep, meaning taking care of the other followers of Jesus and sharing His message with the world. That’s an incredible invitation offered with incredible forgiveness. It’s an incredible act of love on Jesus’ part!

What would it look like for you to respond to this same invitation in your life? Do you need to reach out and forgive a friend who hurt you? Do you need to keep reading about the love and forgiveness that Jesus has for you? Whatever that step is, take it this week and experience the freedom and joy that is found as you go the extra mile in Jesus’ love.