I imagine that Peter felt terrible when he betrayed Jesus 3 times just as Jesus predicted he would do. No wonder it struck a chord in the depths of Peter’s conscience when Jesus made a point of asking him 3 times: Peter, do you love me? 

Peter knew that he couldn’t hide anything from the all knowing mind of Christ. 

“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.” John 21:17

‭‭

Jesus had forgiven Peter for his denial. He restored him to a place of trust and he gave him a task/duty to fulfill. Jesus will do the same for us. He knows our weaknesses and failures even before we commit then. He also knows our heart’s desires. When we want to love, honor and serve Him, He will pick us up, dust us off, and He will help us to serve Him. He wants to use us and He is perfectly capable of using us in His ministry no matter what our shortcomings may be. 

 He asks us to be devoted to His task and purposes. How human it is for us to compare what our life journey looks like to others. “When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"”  John‬ ‭21:21-22‬ ‭ Jesus reminded Peter that he shouldn’t concern himself with anybody else but only what Jesus asked of him personally. We all have different circumstances, different tasks,different missions and gifts. 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭

Jesus asks the same of each of us that He asked of Peter: Do you love me? 

For each of us He wants an honest answer and He will restore us when we fail and seek His forgiveness. For each of us, He has a purpose that He will help us fulfill. No two lives are meant to be the same. Each life, no matter how broken can be beautifully transformed and bring glory to God.