Total Restoration

Failure coupled with disappointment. You knew what to do and didn't do it. You let someone down. One of the most notorious examples of this is found in Matthew 26. In the aftermath of Christ's arrest, Peter is confronted with the opportunity to do the right thing. But he fails. Miserably. He not only denies his Lord, but he does so three times. Peter immediately realizes his mistake, goes out, and weeps bitterly. I imagine Peter feeling pretty low and ashamed especially when the very One he denied is hung on a cross to pay for all sin. His sin. This is where the story has always ended for me. I look down on Peter for his cowardice and strive to be bold in my faith.

Lesson Learned: don't be ashamed of following Christ

However, I'm not sure that this narrative is so much about boldness as it is about forgiveness and love. How is it that Peter goes out and preaches the gospel to all nations and is named "cornerstone of the church" if he bears the weight of betrayal on his shoulders? Simple. In John 21, the unfinished story of Matthew 26 climaxes into the most beautiful picture of complete restoration ever told. The resurrected Jesus approaches an obviously guilt-ridden Peter. At this point, Peter is most likely still beating himself up for denying Christ and is wondering if he will ever again be used for the Master's work. Jesus simply asks, "Peter, do you love me?" "Peter, do you love me?" "Peter, do you love me?" This is not Jesus being redundant or annoying, this is Christ restoring Peter three times over. After three times denying Christ, Peter is given three opportunities to say directly to his Savior, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You."

Lesson Learned: Nothing separates me from the love of God. Forgiveness and restoration are freely offered.