Key scripture – “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” (John 21:15–17, ESV).

Are you ready to be reconciled with God?

Pastor James McDonald says that when something goes relationally wrong between two people, an obstacle separates them. Look at Peter and Jesus. After Peter denied even knowing Jesus (John 18:15–27), it was hard for him to imagine how he could get back into a right relationship with the Lord. And the fact that Jesus didn’t bother to confront Peter about it in the days following the resurrection might have made Peter feel even worse.

Then, during an impromptu fishing trip Peter had organized with some other disciples, Jesus showed up unannounced and served a shoreline breakfast. He didn’t say anything directly to Peter until the meal was over and then asked, “Do you love me more than these?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” In the tone of his response, we hear the caution he had learned from failure. Weeks before, the impulsive disciple would have blurted out, full of self-confidence and swagger, “Absolutely, Lord. You can count on me” (see Matthew 26:33). Post-failure, he hoped Jesus would find his faith to be true.

Rather than agreeing or disagreeing, Jesus issued Peter a job: “Feed my lambs” (21:15). Imagine the thoughts running through Peter’s mind: “Wait, Jesus what did you say? I flat-out denied You three times. How can You trust me with anything?” Undoubtedly, Peter was struggling with the obstacle of unworthiness.

But this entire exchange between Jesus and Peter underscores Jesus’ intention: to restore Peter. It’s as if Jesus puts His hand on His disciple’s shoulder and says, “True, Peter, you did blow it. But I’m not done with you yet.” Jesus chose not to review the past. The past was over. Reconciliation doesn’t deny the past; it moves forward in the present. Though Peter had failed and fallen, he was still going to be used.

That’s grace. Jesus invited Peter to get up, stop wallowing in his failure, come home, take his place beside Jesus, and be used in the Master’s plan.

In our lives, when Jesus shows up, He restores us and gives us new purpose. That’s a good word for you today, a hopeful message of undeserved favor. God’s not done with you yet! It’s never too late for you, even if you have wandered. He can cross the chasm and tear down the wall and still use you for His Kingdom purposes.

Is there an obstacle between you and the Lord right now? Has a Peter-like failure undermined your hopes of a healthy relationship with God? If you’re ready for reconciliation, then come home to the waiting Savior. He is ready to welcome you and commission you into service again. Like Peter, you can move past failure; you can be fully restored.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us how Peter was restored. It is so encouraging to me because I have failed you too. Thank You that Peter’s failure was not the end of his story, and that my failures have not been the end of mine. Please forgive me for failing You, for wandering away. For putting down the cross of Jesus and being slow to pick it back up. I long to be faithful twenty four hours a day seven days a week. Please restore me and use me to advance Your kingdom. Thank You that Jesus is truly the Good Shepherd—tough and firm, yet patient and loving. The author of Hebrews said, “But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (Hebrews 3:6). Thank You that when I am faithless You are always faithful. Thank You that “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Like Peter, I affirm that I love You, Lord, and I will not focus on my past failures which have all been forgiven by You, instead I look ahead with joy at how You are going to use me for Your Kingdom and as an instrument of righteousness. I may have stumbled in the past, but You picked me up, dusted me off and gave me the strength to continue and finish strong. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.