An Easter Poem

Forgiveness

“Simon son of John, do you love Me?”
My Master’s voice was soft
And loving.

“Yes, Lord,” I replied,
“You know I do.”

“Tend My lambs.”

My mind strayed back several days,
And my heart broke.
I took a deep breath,
Calming my thoughts.

We walked a little more,
He and I—
I remembered when He called me—
Called me—to be one of His own.

“Simon, son of John,”
He turned to me,
“Do you love Me?”

“Yes Lord,” I said again,
“You know that I do.”

“Shepherd My sheep.”

I was surprised
But not.
He had said He would
Build His church on me.
Me, a simple fisherman.

My Master turned His deep eyes
On me, “Simon, son of John,
Do you love me?”

I stopped—three times.
He asked me three times
If I loved Him.
My heart clenched
And I felt tears filling my eyes.

I had betrayed my Master,
My Saviour—the Christ.
I had betrayed Him
Three times.

My heart broke and the tears flowed.
Brokenly, my voice barely above a whisper,
I answered, “Lord, You know I do.”

I turned away, shame filling me.
How could He still love me?
After all I did, after swearing not to…
How could He still love me?

His hand grasped my shoulder,
And I met His eyes—
Oh those love-filled eyes—
“Tend My sheep.” He told me,
His voice full of love and forgiveness.

I straightened, a weight lifted from my shoulders.
He forgave me—me, a sinful man.
I betrayed Him and yet…
He forgave me.

He smiled that well-known smile
And we walked along the beach,
My step firmer, my heart lighter.
He had forgiven me!