Today’s reading is John 21.
Jesus has recreated several important moments in Peter’s life in order to demonstrate restoration. But, let’s face it, this is an example case for all the apostles. None of the apostles stood up for Jesus. They all fled. Those who didn’t deny verbally did not do so mostly because they didn’t go to the trial and weren’t given the opportunity. No doubt, however, Peter’s feelings of guilt and shame were so intense as to be almost insurmountable. At least at this point Peter is doing better than Judas. Judas had only worldly sorrow which leads to death (see 2 Corinthians 7:10).
If you’ve been in Peter’s shoes, you know the horrific feelings of not only guilt and shame, but hopelessness and uselessness. Having failed Jesus in what we knew was most important leaves us believing even if Jesus would accept us back, at best we can come in as second-class, failed citizens. We are sure we will be shunted to the side, never trusted, never used, hoping only that we might barely scrape by in the end.
But see how Jesus responds to Peter. Jesus goes out of His way to bring Peter to restoration. He goes out of His way not only to restore Peter in His own sight, but to make sure Peter can see he has been restored. Further, Jesus didn’t simply restore Peter to the fold, allowing him to be in the sheep pen, but shunted to the side by the more important, more useful sheep. He had a job for Peter. Each time Peter restated his love for Jesus, Jesus charged him, “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.”
Understand, even when your biggest sins come after being a disciple, Jesus wants to accomplish powerful things in His kingdom through you. He doesn’t bring you back in but only barely. He brings you back in to put you fully to work. And if a survey of Bible characters teaches us anything, it is often those who have failed the biggest who have finally gotten to the level of perceiving their weakness that allows them to be most usable by God (see 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Have you failed the Lord? Don’t abandon Him. Turn back to Him. But also, don’t turn back to Him and then try to fade into the unnoticed background. Turn back to Him and humbly do what you know to do in His service. Humbly do what you can. The Lord has a place for you. The Lord has a job for you.
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is John 21.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does John 21 admonish you?
Read the Bible 