Peter Restored

Mark 14:72

72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

On Sunday we looked at this brutal moment. When Peter realizes he has fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy and saved himself only to deny His teacher, friend, and savior. Peter breaks down and weeps. And in Mark’s gospel, that is the last we hear of Peter, because Mark’s gospel is all about telling us who Jesus is and calling us to follow Him, often by showing us the negative example of those who don’t realize who Jesus is and who fail to follow Him.

But I couldn’t leave the story there, because there have been times in my life where I have felt exactly like Peter did there. Completely broken over how I have failed to follow Jesus who gave His life for me, and how I have chosen my own wants over how Jesus has called me to live.

Maybe you have been there before too, or maybe you feel like you’re in that place right now. Because even though Mark doesn’t include this part of the story, we know weeping outside of the court as Jesus is beaten isn’t the end for Peter.

John 21:15-17

15 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.” 16 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.” 17 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.

Even after Peter denies Jesus three times. Even after Peter abandons Jesus to save himself. Look what Jesus does. He gives Peter the chance for restoration and forgiveness. Just like Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus guides Peter to reaffirm his love for Jesus three times.

Then Jesus commissions Peter to carry out the work of sharing the Gospel to all nations, reaffirming that Peter was not disqualified from Jesus’ love for him or continuing to live for Christ. If Peter was forgiven, so too can you be forgiven, even if you feel like you’re too far gone.