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.”

Christians acknowledge that Jesus is God. We attribute all the attributes of God’s character and nature to Him. He is the Second Person of the Trinity. He existed before time began as the Eternal Son. All things were made by Him and for Him. One of those attributes we acknowledge that Jesus possesses is omniscience. This means He knows all things. He has all knowledge and wisdom.

We see this in clear detail in our passage today. This text comes at the end of John’s Gospel. Jesus has been raised from the dead. He appears to His disciples. One of the things He did was restore Peter back after Peter’s denials. He predicted Peter’s denials, but now He seeks to restore Peter back. The text outlines the conversation Jesus has with him. 

Notice that Peter, after a third time of being asked “do you love me?” gets upset. He retorts to Jesus, “you know everything; you know that I love you.” That is an easy statement to blow past without considering the implications. Peter doesn’t just acknowledge Jesus’ knowledge about events. He is declaring that Jesus knows the heart. He knows whether or not Peter loves Him. This is an affection, and Jesus can see past the external appearance to the very core of someone’s heart. Peter knows this and declares it. 

Consider the majesty and glory of Jesus. He knows everything. He knows every thought, every feeling, and every desire. Jesus is God. His wisdom and knowledge have no bounds, in Heaven or on earth. Do you love Him? He knows the answer better than we know it ourselves. He understands our conflicting desires. He sees when our love grows cold and weak. We cannot pretend in front of Him. Everything is laid bare.

Ask Jesus to fan into flame your love for Him. Acknowledge before Him in prayer that He knows everything. Let it provoke an honest confession of sin.

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Let it disarm you of any pretense you approach Him with, suspecting you can dress up your words with formality and pass it off as genuineness. He knows everything. 

Reflection & Journal:
- Why is Peter’s confession an incredible insight into Jesus’ attributes?
- What makes this confession standout from a general knowledge about things?
- How should a doctrine like Christ’s omniscience shape our prayer lives?

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