April 18 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

John 21:15–17

Devotional

For a third time, the Lord Jesus asks Peter the question, “Lovest thou me?” Again Peter has to give an answer. But Peter is ashamed. Humanly speaking, he would rather go away. But God’s omniscience becomes a comfort for Peter. He says, “Lord, thou knowest all things.” He cannot fall back on his faithfulness, his actions, or his zeal. He is unable to prove that he loves Christ. He cannot show anything, nor bring anything worthwhile forward. The only thing left is God’s omniscience. The Savior knows.

The Lord knows all things. He knows Peter denied Him three times. He knows Peter grieved with sorrow over what he did. The Lord knows that all things testify against Peter and that he acted more grievously than all the disciples. The Lord knows that Peter understands his sin and thinks he deserves a double portion of God’s wrath. In guilt, he despises His very self. But the Lord also knows that in spite of his grievous fall, Peter did not lose his love for his Master. He knows Peter’s bitter weeping was born out of love for Christ. The Lord knows that Peter feels unfaithful; he feels he cannot keep his word or accomplish anything good for Him. The Lord knows that Peter has failed and deserves eternal punishment. But the Lord also knows that Peter still deeply loves his Savior.

Sometimes people sin and bear no grief. Lacking love for the Lord causes them to think lightly of their sins. Other people sin and profoundly recognize their guilt. The love in their heart causes them to grieve over their sin, for it offends their God. Their sinfulness leads them to bitter tears. Then sins become wounds, and that leads to the cry, “Never has anyone committed so much evil against so much good.” The devil has no use for such people. Neither do such people belong in hell. Love knows sorrow because of sin. This is altogether different from fear of punishment for sin. You can crawl in the dust as a worm, terror-stricken, and with an eye on eternal punishment, and still lose this fear in the world. But love knows sorrow because of the pain of sin, and this pain cannot be cast off until heaven itself removes it.

Have you experienced sorrow because of your sin? Have you wept bitterly over your sin? Would you, in spite of your sins, dare say before the omniscient God, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee”? This is a matter between you and God personally. The omniscience of God is either a comfort or a terror.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.