Many of us likely have a memory from our childhoods of getting our feelings hurt by a friend. Perhaps the words “You’re not my friend anymore!” came out of our mouths as we stomped away filled with hurt and offense.

It may have been something silly like they cut in front of us at recess or maybe it was something harsher, like a criticism or a name we were called. Either way, feelings were hurt. Words were spoken. Hearts were broken.

People Come and Go—But the Hurt Can Linger

More than likely, all was well again on the bus ride home, but the sting still stung. They say that people come in and out of your life for a reason. This makes me think about all of the people who were friends with Jesus during His time on earth, especially during His ministry years.

Thousands came to hear Him teach, preach, and be healed. Did He have close personal relationships with all of them? No – not possible. But there were a few that were near and dear to His heart – the twelve disciples. And among those twelve there were three who He was especially fond of: Peter, James, and John.

In today’s terms, they would be known as Jesus’ BFF’s. His peeps. In fact, John was the only disciple who was at the cross. But what about Peter? Where was he? It was only hours earlier, that he denied even knowing Jesus. Not once. Not twice, but three times! Oh Peter…

• The one who witnessed a b-zillion fish filling his nets after his first meeting with Jesus (Luke 5:1-11).
• The only human being to walk on water other than Jesus (Matthew 14:22-33).
• The first disciple to declare that Jesus was the Son of God (Matthew 16:13-20).

After this triple denial from one of His BFF’s, it’d be completely understandable for Jesus to say, “You’re not my friend anymore” to Peter, but He didn’t.

Days after His resurrection, Jesus is on the beach cooking breakfast. Peter sees Jesus and runs to Him. Then Jesus basically gives him a “do-over.” How? In their interaction, Peter declares his love for Jesus – three times (John 21:15-19). Undoing the three denials days earlier. Wow!

All is well once again between Jesus and Peter. No hard feelings. No “you’re not my friend.” No eating lunch or riding home on the bus alone. No broken relationship. This is the amazing grace and love of Jesus on full display.

Forgiven People Forgive
Let’s face it – we’ve all been hurt. We’ve all had unkind words said to us. And if we’re being totally honest – it’s possible we’ve dished it out. Yet, here’s the thing – with those who we have hurt and with Jesus:

A simple “I’m sorry” can mend a broken heart. A heartfelt “I was wrong” can restore a relationship. God in His graciousness, forgave us of all the dumb stuff we have done, so we can do the same (Ephesians 4:32).

No one was hurt more than Jesus, yet His final words on the cross were: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Those are the words that opened the door for Peter’s relationship with Jesus to be mended. And these same words are the ones that enable us to be BFF’s with Jesus for eternity.