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"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).
If there is anyone whose Holy Week experiences feel familiar, it is Peter. His Holy Week, his faith, and his life aren't distant or polished; they feel like ours.
It starts back in Luke 5 (Luke 5:4–10), on the shore of a sea, when the nets are full and the miracle is undeniable. Peter's first reaction upon realizing who is standing before him is to collapse at Jesus' knees and cry out, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." From the very beginning, there is Peter's own realization and the ache that sin produces: I'm not good enough for this.
But Jesus calls him anyway.
Then there's the water (Matt. 14:26–33). Peter is bold enough to actually step out of the boat. For a moment, he is the one who experiences the impossible: he walks on water. Eyes fixed on Jesus, doing something unimaginable, and then it happens. He sees the wind, feels the waves, and in fear starts to sink. Faith and fear, courage and doubt — mixed together in the same heart. That's Peter. That's us.
By Holy Week, it all intensifies. In the upper room on Maundy Thursday, the bold assertion of faithfulness (Mark 14:29; Luke 22:31–33). You see the desire and determination: I'll prove it this time.
In the garden, Peter is the one who takes up a sword in defense of Jesus (John 18:10), a misguided and impulsive defense, but so too one that is sincere. He is doing everything he can to stand by Jesus faithfully. And still, out of a fear of men and fear for the self, he denies Jesus (Matt. 26:69–75). Just as Jesus said. Peter's life of faith so often mirrors our own: Luke 5 (I'm not enough); walking on water (maybe I am ... wait, no I'm not); Holy Week (I'll prove it!); and the courtyard (I failed). It is the cycle we know so well. Easter reminds us that Christ alone is the One who breaks the cycle.
Once more on the shore of a sea, once more the miracle of who Jesus is becomes undeniable; once more Peter, grieved by his own sin, hears from the crucified and risen Lord Himself (John 21:15–19). Words not of condemnation or disgrace, but of grace. Forgiveness. Love. Restoration. That is what Easter is all about. Jesus knows every moment. Jesus knew Peter's denial was coming; Jesus knew his shortcomings and doubts. He went to the cross anyway. He rose again so that those failures in our lives and in Peter's life would not be the last word. The empty tomb means forgiveness isn't fragile but is securely anchored in Christ.
After the resurrection, Jesus doesn't avoid Peter's failure — He enters into it. Not to shame him, but to restore him: "Do you love Me?" The place of denial becomes the place of renewal.
Peter isn't cast aside; he's brought back. He is not just brought back to Jesus, but sent to show that the grace, forgiveness, and eternal life God offers and desires us to know are for all people. The resurrection means the sinking, the doubt, and the failures in our lives aren't final. Christ's victory is. We can live deeply known and deeply loved — unafraid — because we belong to the One who was raised from the dead — and who will raise you. As Peter reminds us, we are all witnesses to that resurrection power (Acts 2:32). Peter's failings didn't get the last word. Yours won't either. Live in the resurrection. Live out the resurrection.
Because Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
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