Day 3 - Peter: A Restored Man
Scripture Reading: (John 21:4-19) 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
15 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.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved 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. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Peter knew what it felt like to fail.
Just days before Jesus' crucifixion, Peter boldly declared that he would never abandon Him. Yet when pressure came, Peter denied even knowing Jesus three times. Imagine the shame, regret, and disappointment he must have carried after hearing the rooster crow.
After Jesus' resurrection, Peter returned to fishing. By going back to his old profession, it appears Peter may have been returning to the life he knew before Jesus called him.
But Jesus wasn't finished with Peter.
In John 21, Jesus met Peter on the shore, provided breakfast for him, and lovingly restored him. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Three times Peter responded. Jesus wasn't trying to shame Peter, He was restoring him.
Many men live under the weight of past mistakes. Some carry guilt from poor decisions. Others carry regret from failures as husbands, fathers, leaders, or followers of Christ. The enemy loves convincing men that their failures define them.
Jesus says otherwise.
Peter's greatest failure did not become the defining story of his life. God's grace became the defining story of his life.
The same can be true for us. The Gospel reminds us that failure is never final when surrendered to Jesus. Restoration is available. Forgiveness is available. New beginnings are available.
The question is not whether we've failed. The question is whether we'll bring those failures to Jesus and allow Him to restore us.
Reflection:
Am I allowing my past failures to determine my future?
Is there anything I need to bring to Jesus today so I can receive His grace and walk again in the calling He has placed on my life?
Prayer: Lord, help me lay my failures and defeats at Your feet and renew my passion for and joy in You.