ETERNITY

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God's Gift of Second Chances:

~ God’s desire to forgive and restore is always greater than our capacity to fail.

John 21:15-17 tells us this:

“When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Feed My lambs,” He told him.

A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Shepherd My sheep,” He told him.

He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”

Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.”

“Feed My sheep,” Jesus said.”

Before we discuss today’s verses, let’s look at one other passage. Take the time to read Matthew 26:69-75 (see below at end of post) and consider Peter’s emotions in that moment. The more people asked about his relationship to Jesus, the more emphatic his denials became. At first, he said, “I do not know what you are talking about” (v. 70). Then he denied Jesus with an oath, and finally “began to curse and swear” (vv. 72-74).

But when the rooster crowed, he remembered his words from the night before: “I will never fall away!” He had even gone so far as to declare he’d never deny Jesus, even if it meant dying with Him (Matthew 26:31-35 see below at end of post). For all that false bravado, the apostle failed exactly as Jesus said he would. No wonder he sobbed bitterly.

A few days later, when he saw Jesus on the shore, Peter hurled himself into the sea and hurried to his Savior. Imagine how it must have felt to stand there, dripping wet, staring at the One you loved and had betrayed. After the meal, Jesus allowed Peter to rewrite his answers that had been given in a haze of panic and fear. And with each affirmation, the disciple knew he was both forgiven and profoundly loved. Jesus offers that same experience to us, now and always. He never stops seeking, never stops offering forgiveness to all who call Him Lord and Savior.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries

Peter Denies His Lord:

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant approached him and she said, “You were with Jesus the Galilean too.”

“But he denied it in front of everyone: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“When he had gone out to the gateway, another woman saw him and told those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!”

“And again, he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man!”

“After a little while those standing there approached and said to Peter, “You certainly are one of them, since even your accent gives you away.”

“Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I do not know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

~ Matthew 26:69-75

Peter’s Denial Predicted:

“Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will run away because of Me, for it is written:

“I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered” [Zechariah 13:7]

“But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

“Peter told Him, “Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!”

“I assure you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times!”

“Even if I have to die with You,” Peter told Him, “I will never deny You!” And all the disciples said the same thing.”

~ Matthew 26:31-35






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