Shame and Blame

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt 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 21:15-17

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” ~ Acts 9:1-6

Peter and Paul both had a lot to recover from.

Peter had denied knowing Jesus when push came to shove. And Paul had persecuted the people of Jesus - which Jesus equates with persecuting himself.

Both Peter and Paul must have felt so much shame when all was said and done. But something I read recently from a scholar named Karoline Lewis made me notice something I'd missed every time I've read these.

Nowhere does Jesus shame them himself. In fact, nowhere does Jesus say he forgives them - no where does he lay blame to them. Instead, Jesus will lead both Peter and Paul to move away from blaming themselves. He moves from from shame to action.

He moves them from shame to love. Peter, he says, feed my sheep. Follow me.

Paul, he says, get up off the ground. Enter the city. I've got plans for you.

How much time do I spend on shame and blame? How often does self-doubt hold me back from feeling the enormity of God's love?

Jesus never once condemns Peter or Paul. Instead, he transforms what they most regretted into life-giving and love-giving service.

Move me away from shame and blame, Lord, so that I can serve your people in love. Amen