How often do we grade ourselves as Christians by how “good" we are? Too often, we act like we believe we are walking a tightrope to ensure God still wants to keep us around, and when we take a wrong step, we feel as though we let God down. Do you ever feel that? That you have messed up so badly this time that there is no going back? Ever hear that voice in the back of your head saying, "You REALLY blew it this time and there’s no way God is going to be able to use you now." I have heard that voice too, and it does NOT belong to our Shepherd!
This week we continue in our sermon series, “Things Jesus Never Said,” as we look at Peter's betrayal and restoration, thankful that Jesus never said, “You really blew it this time, didn’t you?"
Luke 22:54-62
"Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”
John 21:15-17
“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 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.
