There’s no better picture in the Bible of how we struggle with our own failure than the story of the Apostle Peter… despite his insecurity, despite his weaknesses, despite how quick he was to speak and slow to understand…Jesus loved him.
Peter’s relationship to Jesus is really a beautiful picture of how God just invades our lives and lavishes His love on us when we really don’t deserve it! Peter had one of the biggest failures of all the disciples. I’m talking epic failures! What’s really bad is that Jesus even told him it was going to happen.
Jesus tells him, “Peter, before the night is over you’re going to deny me three times.”
That’s exactly what happened. Jesus was crucified, laid in a tomb, and on the 3rd day rose again. Can you guess who he asked for when he began to reappear to His disciples?
… Mark 16, “Go tell Peter and the other disciples that Jesus has risen from the death.” He singles Peter out! Jesus appears to His disciples in John 20 and Peter comes face to face with the one he had denied.
John 21:15-19 (NASB)
15So 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, “Tend My lambs.” 16He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17He 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 all things; You know that I love You ” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. 18“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 19Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!”
It’s important to realize that Jesus didn’t ask these questions to Peter because He didn’t know the answer. Jesus knew what was in his heart. Jesus knew that Peter loved Him. By asking Peter the question three times Jesus was restoring Peter.
As your pastor, I want you to know God loves you more than you can imagine…even when you fail. Maybe it’s time for you to see Jesus the way Peter did – as your Savior who died for you, loves you to this day, and wants to draw close to your heart!