Among the many things we fear in life, one of the greatest must be the fear of letting people down. This is especially true when we’re facing a performance review or carrying the weight of past (or even perceived) failure. How often do we define ourselves by our worst moment!
That is how Peter must’ve felt after denying Jesus three times. His failure was known, painful, and undeniable. Thankfully the risen Jesus didn’t ask Peter questions such as ‘Why did you fail?’ or ‘Can I ever trust you again?’ or ‘What can we do to make sure this doesn’t happen in the future?’ No, Jesus went straight to Peter’s heart:
“Do you love Me?” (John 21:17)
Jesus restored Peter through a masterful blend of grace and truth. The repeated questions show that Jesus didn’t brush off the reality of Peter’s denial. But it also shows that even Peter’s greatest failure would not have the final word. Instead of writing Peter off, Jesus restored and recommissioned him.
When Peter finally broke and said “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You” (John 21:17), he embraced the Truth that graciously set him free. Only Jesus could restore Peter because He had borne his failure on the cross and conquered it through His resurrection.
The same Jesus still restores us today. He delights in hearts that genuinely love Him, even amid failures and setbacks. The same Jesus still enlists us in His service.
Reflection
- Do you tend to return to your failure more than to God’s grace for you?
- If you say, ‘Yes Lord, I love you’, how is that going to change how you serve others this week?
This devotion is sent weekly to staff during school terms. It has been lightly edited for a general audience.
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