Peter denied Jesus three times…
And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Matthew 26:69-75
In these verses, God gives us a glimpse both into His heart & the heart of man.
Jesus knew Peter would deny Him. Peter rejected Jesus’ Word of knowledge, yet it came to pass when the going got rough.
Jesus also knew what He was going to do to uproot the damage Peter did within himself with the three denials. Even before Peter denied Him.
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
Three times, one for each denial, Jesus reassures Peter of his call. He will be the rock in which Jesus built His church, even though in that moment he is just a blubbering mess of brokenness.
Because we too are a wreck when God speaks into those painful places where we have denied our wrong doing, didn’t need His warning and were devastated by the results.
I want to reassure you today, Beloved.
Each time you strayed, your Shepherd not only has His eyes in You, He knows how to best help you return to the fold of His embrace.
He gets that we sometimes make decisions based upon fear, as Peter did.
In the heat of the moment, one of his closest friends having been ripped from his company Peter reacted on instinct instead of trusting in His plan, in His Words.
I’ve been there. Often.
Yet His love continues to speak health and life back into my life, and make me whole as He cleans up my messes. Just as He did for Peter.
God restores us, Beloved. He doesn’t just forgive us. He makes us better than we were before. He makes us whole though His holiness, love, and mercy.
I believe Peter was so changed and emboldened after Jesus spoke those reassuring Words into his heart & Spirit.
Peter became that very rock Jesus saw waiting to be called out from under the rubble of his life.
These verses gives me hope for when I know I’ve blown it!
God knows us so well, Beloved. May we rest in knowing He will restore us in every area we turn over into His waiting hands. Allow Him to speak you to life again.
KARLA LEES 