Restoration

Good Morning! 

The last nugget from Sunday’s sermon comes from John 21 and talks about Peter’s restoration.  Far too often when a fellow believer fails us, we tend to write them off as unreliable. Well, how unreliable was Peter?  And what did Jesus do about Peter?

John 21 English Standard Version (ESV)

21 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

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.

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.”

What are we witnessing?  Restoration. 

By the world’s measures, Peter deserved to be cast upon the trash heap of history.  He had been challenged … and he failed.  He has proven to be unreliable … so discount him; discourage him; destroy him.  That is what the world would do … and, believe it or not, what some Christians would do. But not Jesus!  Jesus pulled Peter aside … and built him back up.  In essence, Jesus is telling Peter that he still counts … he still has a mission.  In the not too distant future, this Peter, who shrank before a servant girl, would stand boldly on the Temple grounds and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.  He would be hauled before the Council.  He would be threatened with his life.  Yet Peter would stand tall … having been restored by Jesus.

Not many of us have denied Christ like Peter did … but all of us have denied Christ in other ways.  Some remain silent when challenged.  Others avoid mentioning their belief for fear of confrontation.  Still others have failed to follow through on commitments made. And all of us have committed sins before others.  But Jesus offers restoration to all of us. He knows we are weak in our own strength.  He calls us aside and reminds us to feed and tend to His flock.  He encourages us to keep on.

Today is a new day.  Today presents new opportunities to proclaim Jesus Lord of all.  He calls upon all of us.  Answer His call.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, open my eyes to the opportunities You present to me today to honor You by proclaiming Christ.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today:  John 21:1-19