So you know the feeling of guilt, right? You promise God that you won’t do________ again and then…… yup, you lied to God again. In that moment of shame, what do you feel? Do you feel as if you can run to Jesus and be fully accepted, or do you feel like there is a barrier between you and God? Moments like those reveal to us what we really believe the Gospel is. So don’t waste them. Learn and grow.
Let’s take a look at Peter and Jesus. Peter is so confident in his own abilities. Listen to his words to Jesus in Jn 13:36-38:
“Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him. “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I way to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”
I mean, listen to the boldness of Peter. We are so much like Peter. We believe we can impress Jesus by being so “sold out” that we would die for Jesus. Jesus lets Peter know what is really in his heart.
Well, it happened. Peter denies Jesus. I mean denies him. Imagine one of your friends denying even knowing you. Wouldn’t that hurt? Wouldn’t that bring up a barrier between you two? Well, of course! So Jesus would die for Peter. Jesus would take what Peter deserved. Peter is the one, the coward, the inconsistent follower, the one who would not take up his cross and follow Jesus; the sinner, the rebel, the denier of Jesus, and yet- Jesus lays down his life for Peter. Imagine the shame that must have come upon Peter. In Luke 22:62 we see that Peter “went out and wept bitterly.” So what would happen with Peter? Would he beat himself up? Would he forever run from God? If he were to see Jesus again before his crucifixion, would he be shy and embarrassed? Well Peter would see Jesus again.
Peter was fishing. Some dude came along walking on the shore. He told the boys to throw their net on the other side of the boat to catch some fish. This should have rung a bell. Well they followed this man’s instructions and, what do you know? Fish. Peter did not ever realize that this was Jesus. John had to tell Peter “It is the Lord!” So here is the moment. The last time Peter saw Jesus, he denied him. Would Peter hide? Would Jesus be approachable? Would Jesus accept him? Maybe Jesus would accept Peter if Peter would prove to Jesus that the whole denying nonsense was a thing of the past. None of that:
Jn 21:7-8 “When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work. and threw himself into the sea.”
Peter could not get to Jesus fast enough. Apparently the other disciples could contain themselves, but not Peter. Peter knew Jesus would accept him. Peter did not shy away, did not hide, rather he had to be with Jesus. Is this how we are when we sin? Do we have confidence in our savior Jesus? Am we secure in the fact that it was Jesus that laid down his life for us? Do we believe the truth that Jesus died in our place for all my denial, small faith, faithlessness, rebellion, and sin of all sorts? Jesus died the death we deserved to die. So we can come to Him. We can rest in him. We can have strength even to die for him as Peter would. When you know Jesus died for you you are free to come to him even in your worst moment. You don’t have to run. You don’t have to hide. You are forgiven and free. Because of Jesus, the Father is pleased with you.
For a final word, look at Jn 21:15-19. Jesus takes Peter on a little walk. Jesus once again gives Peter a sneak peek into his own future. Peter will die a brutal death to the glory of God. Brothers and sisters, once you are secure in who’s death counts, you will then be free to die for Jesus. This is the power of Grace! Oh btw…. It was Peter who God chose to preach at Pentecost. It was Peter who preached about Jesus and saw 3000 people converted. So drink it up! Drink up the grace of God and be changed now and forever.
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