If you're overwhelmed by feelings of guilt, shame, or confusion, come and meet God, who restores you by His amazing grace. God is the one who redefines us, renewing us and restoring us to the person we were always created to be. Today, we see the same story playing out in the life of Peter, Jesus’ disciple. Having denied Jesus three times, Jesus forgives Peter and gives him a new calling.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”Again, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”The third time, he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”John 21:15–17
We’ll now take a closer look at today’s passage. There are few identity-related stories in the Bible more powerful than Jesus’ restoration of Peter. After years of walking with Jesus first-hand, the disciple had failed humiliatingly at the crucial moment. With Jesus abandoned and in custody, Peter pretended he didn't even know his Savior. Three times! It’s a shocking moment of denial and betrayal. Peter, the rock, had crumbled. And yet, because of who Jesus is, this deepest of failures morphs into a stunning picture of renewal.
Today’s Passage contains one of the most surprising and emotive moments in all of Christ’s ministry. Peter, a failed and broken man, is lifted up, radically forgiven and then commissioned to take on one of Jesus’ most critical callings: The establishment of the New Testament church. Jesus’ three repetitions of “do you love me?” exquisitely disarm and reverse each of Peter’s tragic denials. It’s a profound episode, dripping with the overwhelming love of God. The wonders of Christ’s grace are radiantly on show as Peter’s broken identity is powerfully restored.
The key takeaway from Jesus’ treatment of Peter is this: Your worst moments of failure don’t define you. Failure is not who you are. We all deny, crumble and mess up…but that never means it’s over. God is a wonderful Father who will repeatedly pick you up and generously share His life with you, despite the things you’ve done. You’re never too far gone for Jesus to restore you and set you on the right path again. He loves you too much to leave you where you are. He’s always got more for you.
In recognizing the beauty of God’s character, C.S. Lewis concluded this: “Failures are finger-posts on the road to achievement.” His revelation is profound and meaningful. When we fail, it’s not the end of the road. Rather, it’s an invitation to go further; to draw deeper into God’s grace-filled presence, and to grow in maturity. Failure, you see, is an event, not an identity. Take a moment to think about what you’ve heard so far. Where are you feeling like a failure today? [pause]
Use this time now to prayerfully invite God into these difficult emotions. As you do, gently allow the Holy Spirit to reorient your perspective. Feel God’s grace overwhelm you once again. Jesus is the God of restoration. Like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold to create an item even more beautiful and valuable than the original, God can repair your brokenness in a way that renews you with a priceless and precious purpose. Restoration isn’t about erasing your mistakes; it's about allowing God to make them into something beautiful by His amazing grace. God can transform your shattered fragments into a gold-laced masterpiece. So, will you allow God to restore you today? Use this space now to connect with Him. What are you holding back? What in your life do you feel is too far gone for Him to mend? Gently, but intentionally, hand it over to Jesus. Let Him make you whole again.
Everlasting Father, thank you for this time together. I praise you today because you are the God of restoration. You take my brokenness and make me new. Would you meet me today in the areas of my life where I feel like I’m failing? Would you help me, comfort me, reassure me, and lead me back to my purpose? I know my failure doesn’t define me. With you, I’m never down and out. I trust you with my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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