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Resurrection and Restoration

Do you know what it is like to blow it? I do not mean making a mistake. I mean really blow it. Peter knows exactly what that is like. Peter balked when it was his turn at bat. As Jesus was going to be crucified, Peter denied even knowing him (John 18:15-18, 25-27). Not long ago Peter had called Jesus Lord. Now he could not get far enough away. When it came to being a faithful disciple, even just a good friend, Peter blew it.

This story is crying out for resolution. So thankfully John ends his Gospel with a moment between Peter and the resurrected Jesus. Surely, Jesus is going to have some strong words for Peter. He was counting on Peter, but Peter was nowhere to be found. And now, risen from the dead, Jesus had a chance to set Peter straight. This ought to be good, right?

But Jesus did not say any of the things we might expect a betrayed friend to say. He did not express anger at Peter or even disappointment. Jesus offered him grace. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loves him. Each time Peter responded yes, affirming his love for Jesus, and each time Jesus did something surprising. Three times Jesus told Peter to take care of his sheep (John 21:15-19).

Do you see how shocking this is? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was entrusting Peter with his most beloved possession: the people he had purchased with his own blood. This is like trusting someone with your kids after they have locked them in the car along with the keys. Peter, the same disciple who blew it just days before, was now entrusted with the care of Jesus’ most prized possession. In the ruins of Peter’s failure, the resurrected Jesus restored him to prominence. Jesus gave him his dignity back.

Do you know what it is like to blow it? Of course you do. In big ways and small ways, we drop the ball all the time. And the good news of the gospel is even as we fail like Peter, so Jesus receives us too. He does not beat us over the head with our failures. Instead, he lifts us up in his grace. He invites faulty people like you and me into his service. In his resurrection, Jesus lifts us out of the depths of our failure and loss and sets us up on the heights of his glorious victory. The resurrection of Jesus is our restoration.

In Him,

Tom

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