Do You Love Me? (Peter's Song)

The Story

Failure can convince us we are finished with God. We made big promises, then broke them, and now we quietly assume we are on the bench for good. So we drift back to our old life and stop expecting anything. Peter had boasted that he would never deny Jesus, even if everyone else did. Hours later, by a charcoal fire, he denied Him three times. After the resurrection, Peter went back to fishing.

Jesus came looking for him. On the shore, by another charcoal fire, He served breakfast to the disciples who had failed Him. Then He asked Peter three times if he loved Him. It hurt, because it echoed the three denials. But Jesus was not rubbing it in. He was restoring Peter in front of the others, and each time He gave him work: feed my sheep. Peter’s pride had to break, but his future was not cancelled. Grace did not ignore his failure. It went straight through it. That is possible because Jesus had just died for Peter’s denial along with every other sin. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive. Your worst moment is not your final word. Come back to Jesus. He already knows everything, and He still calls you to follow.

Associated Scripture

John 21:17 (ESV): "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.’"

1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Suno Style Prompt: Vocal forward, reflective Americana, soulful male vocals, mid-tempo, acoustic guitar intro building into full band, emotional crescendo, warm and redemptive

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Lyrics

[Verse 1 - The Crash] I was the one who swore I’d never break Telling the others I’d die for Your sake The loudest voice promising never to fall But then came the fire, the girl, and the call Three times I lied as my pride came undone I failed You the most, and I started to run. [Verse 2- The Pivot] I packed up my shame and I went back to sea Convinced that Your Kingdom had no room for me But through the mist, there’s a voice on the sand You’re waiting for me with a meal in Your hand I’m over the side, I’m not waiting for docks A drowning man running to the only True Rock. [Verse 3 - The Reclaimed Fire] A fire is burning, just like that night I stood in the shadows and fled from the light In the glow of the coals where I felt all the shame Of the hours that I let them all spit on Your name But You aren't counting the times that I fell You’re breaking the silence and breaking the spell. [Chorus] "Do you love Me?" You ask by the sea I say, "Lord, You know," as I fall to my knee "Do you love Me?" The memories sting But I’m letting go of everything "Do you love Me?" The wall finally breaks "You know all things, Lord... You know what it takes" If You can forgive me, I'll forgive myself too I’m leaving my past to follow You. [Outro] Feed the sheep. Feed the lambs.