Have you ever failed the Lord?

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If you’ve been a disciple of Jesus longer than a few minutes, that answer is yes.  What happens at that point?  Are we tainted forever?  Are we no longer usable by Jesus ever again?  Is Jesus shaking His head and walking away from you?

Peter the Apostle failed Jesus—dramatically so.  Three times Peter denied Jesus.  Then Jesus was crucified while Peter was left with the guilt of deserting His Master, teacher, and friend. 

Then Jesus rose from the dead.  But for Peter, the guilt hung out there.  His regret.  His fear.  Peter had denied even knowing Jesus.  He must’ve thought it would never be the same again.

Then we read the following in John 21:15-19:

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you 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 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. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” 

John 21:15-19, New International Version

How many times did Peter deny knowing Jesus?  Three
How many times did verse 14 tell us Jesus has now appeared to the disciples?  Three
How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he loved Him?  Three

This exchange between Peter and Jesus is so subtle and nuanced.  Peter had declared in the presence of the other ten remaining disciples that he would die for Jesus.  But in the public setting of the High Priest’s courtyard, Peter’s courage melted—just as Jesus predicted it would.  So, the restoration of Peter—only found in John’s Gospel—must occur in a public setting.

Peter had to be restored because Jesus wasn’t done with Peter.  Jesus says to Peter, “You will stretch out your hands”—a universal expression for crucifixion.  Three decades later, this prophecy would come true at the hands of the Roman emperor Nero.  Peter was crucified.  Peter brought glory to God in this powerful witness because he would not deny Jesus.  Peter had learned his reward was not in this world but in the arms of Jesus in the next.  

I recently ran across a great quote: “Remember that failure is a bruise, not a death sentence.”

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I know it may not feel that way.  Perhaps even others want to tell you differently.  But Jesus longs to take that failure and restore you.  Look at Peter: the greatest ministry for Jesus he had wasn’t before his failure.  It was after his restoration from it.

So when you fail the Lord, run to Him.  Confess it.  Find your restoration.  In Jesus, it’s only a bruise and not a death sentence.

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