Christ is Willing to Restore You

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Christ is Willing to Restore You

by Patton Locke

It’s usually easier to believe that the Lord can forgive other’s failures than it is to receive His grace in our own lives. We tell ourselves, God will forgive that person, but I have blown it this time! It is so tempting to believe that these lies are in fact our reality. But, a look at the verbal apostasy and restoration of Peter reveals the kind heart of the Good Shepherd.

We know Peter to be the bold, courageous, and often ignorant disciple. Not only is Peter chosen to be Jesus’ disciple, but he is chosen out of the Twelve to be a part of

Jesus’ “inner ring” of three. Peter is truly favored by Jesus. Peter is the one who unashamedly proclaims Jesus as the Christ (Mk 8:29, Lk 9:20, Mt 16:16). Jesus says that Peter’s ability to even make this confession is a revelation from God (Mt 16:17). In John 6:68-69, Peter understands Jesus to have “the words of eternal life.” Even as Jesus predicts Peter’s denial, Peter confidently responds that he would die with Christ before he ever thought about denying him (Mt 26:35). Given Peter’s walk with Jesus up to this point, Jesus’ prediction surely does seem to be a little out of character for Peter.

Yet, the fateful night comes and Peter flat out denies his Lord. The actual severity of Peter’s denial is seen in Matthew 26:71-74.

Three observations:

1. The fearless leader becomes a coward when being questioned by an insignificant servant girl. 2. Peter calls Christ “the man” after having boldly declared Him to be the Son of God. 3. Peter would rather be cursed than profess the name of Jesus.

Peter wants absolutely nothing to do with Christ. But all this time, Jesus is preparing to be killed so that He may forgive Peter. Whatever evil you may have committed, Peter has you beat. He has totally abandoned the Messiah that he so bravely confessed he would die with. The bold disciple is now the verbal apostate. But thanks be to God that He didn’t leave Peter in his desperate state and He hasn’t left you in yours either. After the Resurrection, Jesus is having breakfast with the disciples. I am sure that Peter can hardly look Jesus in the face without remembering every detail of the dreadful night he denied his Lord three times. While Jesus had paid for Peter’s sin of denial on the cross, Jesus wanted to take forgiveness to the next level: restoration. Jesus restores Peter for each of the three times he had previously denied Him (John 21:15-17). In his restoration, He gives him the charge of shepherding the flock of disciples. From a worldly perceptive it makes no sense to appoint the man who abandoned, deserted, and denied the Messiah as the new shepherd of the sheep! Some of us may think that even allowing Peter back into the Twelve is a leap, but making him the new leader?!

For every one of your failures, Jesus doesn’t just stand ready to forgive you but to restore you. He is willing to take your brokenness and create such a beautiful story that doesn’t make sense to the world! Come to Christ in true repentance and experience His kindness, mercy, and restoration.