Wholeness Ministries
www.wholeness.org
www.wholeness.org
Moving Beyond Failure Part 2
Now this is where we get to the good part. This is where Peter moves beyond failure. This is where Jesus brings Peter back into restoration. In John 21 we find the disciples back on the Sea of Galilee fishing just as they were when they first met Jesus. The disciples had struggled all night but caught nothing. And now they were tired, hungry and frustrated. He has built a fire and prepared breakfast for them on the beach. They are sitting around the fire and Peter is sitting there knowing he has miserably failed Jesus and in the eyes of the other disciples he probably feels a bit ashamed as they are sitting around talking, probably trying to avoid eye contact with Jesus, making small that like: "hey, what have you been doing since you came back from the dead, just kind of hanging around walking through walls, that kind of stuff. Pretty cool. Me? Oh nothing much just mostly fishing, cleaning nets, the normal stuff.
When you have failed somebody or let them down how do you feel later when you see them? Isn't it hard to make eye contact with them? Don't you feel a bit embarrassed? Here he is again with Jesus, knowing Jesus knows what he did. As we read this story we realize that Jesus and Peter have come apart from the group and are walking alone down the beach. I can imagine Peter is expecting the worst. Probably thinking, Jesus is going to really tell me how he feels. I'll probably be told not to come around any more because I can't be trusted, or he's going to tell me how much I've let him down and how disappointed he is in me and what my failure has done to our friendship and things will never be like they were before. So they go off walking down the beach.
John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
Many sermons have been preached about this, to try to learn why Jesus asked Peter this probing question three times. After the first time Peter answered, "Yes, Lord you know I love you." But he must have been in deep despair, thinking, "I may look bold on the outside but inside I'm a jellyfish. I actually denied and cursed the God of glory. I can't go back to being a fisher of men for Jesus' kingdom. I'm not worthy." Jesus interrupted his thoughts by repeating the question: "Peter, do you love me?" He was saying, in other words: "Peter, this is what God really wants from you. It's not about your wisdom, your willpower or your works. All he wants is for you to love him more than anything in the world!" Peter answered, "Lord , you know I love you." But he still must have been thinking, "There's too much to understand. All these doctrines are too deep, too difficult to grasp. Others may get them, but they're beyond me. Sure, I have zeal, but it's without knowledge. I'm just an uneducated fisherman. I don't even understand the leading of the Lord. How could ever I live wholly dependent on him?" Finally, Jesus asked the disciple a third time: "Peter, do you love me?" And I believe this time, Peter got the message. Suddenly he say that knowing the Father was about more than reconciliation and rulership. It was also about having a relationship with him!
This was a time of Jesus making it clear to Peter that he was forgiven, and still loved and valued by the Lord. In declaring his love for Jesus, Peter is restored as a committed believer and best of all, Jesus isn't finished with him yet. He still has plans and purposes for Peter's life. He has a new role for him. When he commissioned him before, it was as a fisher of men, but now he is to be one of the shepherds over the flock, the church in Jerusalem. Think about this: Would you have nominated Peter to be a leader in the Church? (Maybe, but he would be on probation).
Jack Hayford points out in his book The Power and the Blessing that there was a reason why Peter's failure didn't destroy him. The answer is in Luke 22:31. Before predicting that Peter would deny Him Jesus says this, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
There are two scriptures which should cause every believer to shout for joy, Romans 8:34 "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Hebrews 7:25 "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God
through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
Let me ask you this: is there anything you have done or not done that has caused separation between you and God. Do you feel ashamed or embarrassed? Has your failure caused you also to feel rejection, to feel that God cannot or will not use you again? Let me assure you that regardless of past failures you are not beyond restoration. Come to Him and let Him restore you back into that relationship that He wants with you.
Wholeness ministries offers a weekly School of Healing Prayer, individual prayer by appointment, numerous resources on both audio and videotape as well as our book "Learning To do What Jesus Did."
For more information please contact:
Rev. Mike Evans
4301 Stine Rd. Suite H
Bakersfield CA
USA 93313
661-833-2920
Fax 661-833-2934
mevans@wholeness.org
www.wholeness.org
