Daily Dose #97
GOD'S PURPOSE HAS NOT CHANGED
JOHN 21:15–19 (ESV)
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, 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.’ He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
Peter never imagined that he would deny Jesus. When the Lord told him it would happen, Peter confidently insisted that he would remain faithful. JOHN 13:37–38 (ESV) records Peter saying, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Yet Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”
Only a short time later, exactly as Jesus had said, Peter denied even knowing Him. JOHN 18:25–27 (ESV) records those painful moments as Peter denied Christ three times before the rooster crowed. The disciple who had boldly declared his loyalty walked away broken, ashamed, and overwhelmed by his failure.
Like many of us, Peter believed his failure had defined him.
After the resurrection, Peter returned to fishing. It was familiar. It was safe. Perhaps he believed that his opportunity to serve Christ had ended. The man who had once left his nets to follow Jesus found himself standing beside them once again. Yet while Peter may have thought his story was over, Jesus knew it was only beginning.
When Jesus met Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He did not begin by reminding him of his failure. He did not condemn him or reject him. Instead, He lovingly restored him. Three times Peter had denied his Lord, and three times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” Each question was followed by a commission: “Feed my lambs.” “Tend my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” The number of Peter's denials was matched by the number of opportunities Jesus gave him to reaffirm his love.
What a beautiful picture of God's grace.
Peter's failure had not changed Christ's purpose.
Jesus still had work for Peter to do.
Jesus still had people for Peter to shepherd.
Jesus still had a calling upon Peter's life.
Failure had not cancelled God's plan.
How many believers live as though one mistake has permanently disqualified them? The enemy delights in convincing us that because we have fallen, God can no longer use us. Yet Peter's life tells a very different story. The same man who denied Jesus would later stand before thousands at Pentecost and boldly proclaim the Gospel. The difference was not that Peter became perfect. The difference was that he allowed Christ to restore him.
Failure is never something we should make light of, but neither should we allow it to become our identity. When we repent, Christ restores. When we return to Him, He is faithful to receive us. His grace is greater than our worst moments, and His calling is not abandoned because we have stumbled along the way.
There may be times when you feel like giving up and returning to what is comfortable, just as Peter returned to his fishing nets. Yet the risen Christ still calls His people to follow Him. He still restores broken lives. He still uses imperfect people. His plans are not determined by our failures but by His faithfulness.
Do not allow one chapter of your life to convince you that the story is over.
The Father is still calling.
Christ is still restoring.
And His purpose for your life has not changed.
Keep your eyes on Him.
Keep following Him.
And never give up because you failed.