GET TOGETHER- WE ALL NEED DO OVERS
Joh 21:15 ¶ So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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.”
A few weeks ago, I wrote about getting fresh starts. The younger generation likes to use the term “do over”. This week let’s look at someone who got a do over and made the most of the opportunity. I am talking about Peter.
Peter as most of us know failed on the night that the Lord Jesus really needed someone to be there for Him in a big-time way. If you are familiar with the story you know that He denied Jesus three times as Jesus was being put on trial by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Jesus would be nailed to the cross and die for the sins of the world the next day after a night in which he was tortured and mocked all night long. Three times when Jesus needed him the most Peter denied him; Mt 26:75 “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.”
I can’t even begin to imagine the demonic assault on his mind that had to take place during the wee hours of the morning and until He saw the resurrected Christ that day at the Sea of Tiberius. In John 21 we see that Jesus has forgiven Peter, restored him, and has now entrusted him with a high calling Joh 21:18 “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” It will cost him his life, but he will be used by the Lord to accomplish great and mighty eternal things in the Kingdom.
I also thought about how the Lord would use Peter on the Day of Pentecost. On that day he stood in the streets of Jerusalem and proclaimed that Jesus Christ was the long awaited Messiah. I am sure that there were many out there that had seen, or heard about his denial on the night before Jesus death. And yet now he is forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit and preaching that Jesus is the Christ. Three thousand souls were snatched from hell that day! That was a thousand souls saved for every time that Peter had denied the Lord. That tells me what a gracious, good, and merciful God we serve.
Maybe you like me need some do overs from time to time. There is good news for the child of God: Pr 24:16 “For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.” (NKJV) Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ had mercy on a man that had denied him at His most urgent hour. Yesterday’s setbacks are today’s comebacks. The Apostle Paul put it like this “Php 3:12,13 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
And like Peter when you get that do over make it count in the Kingdom. Just as in Peter’s day there are souls out there hanging in the balance waiting on you and I to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ . Jesus is speaking the same thing to us that He said to Peter on that day when He was giving him a do over ; “Joh 21:19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” As we receive His mercy let’s follow Him. When we do, we will never be sorry.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus we come today to thank You for the mercy that You have shown us. We thank You that You are always ready to forgive us and to give us new opportunities to serve You. We pray that just as the Holy Spirit would keep Peter faithful that as we follow You that the Holy Spirit will help us to serve You faithfully as well.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Blessings to all of you! May His Grace abound toward you!
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
