Tragic Fall and an Awesome Reinsatement!

“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32(b)

Lord Jesus knew His favorite disciple would fail when temptation hit hard on him. Jesus predicted Peter’s failure. Jesus said to him Satan has already received permission to test him. Then Jesus said, However, I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. Then Jesus said these amazing words to Peter. “And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers.”

Peter was overconfident in his ability. He said to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you and to die with you!” To this, Jesus replied, “the rooster will not crow tonight until you have said three times that you do not know me.”

When temptation hit on him not just once, but three times- and he denied Jesus and witnessed to the public that He does not know Jesus.
Your story may be a different story of trials or temptations. Remember, Jesus did not forget his dear disciple, Peter. He remembered, sought after him, and helped in his lowest state. The guilt was heavy on Peter and he went back to his old fisherman life. He wanted to forget all about Jesus. He tried to hide and ran away from Jesus after his failure. However, Jesus would not stop pursuing him. He chased after His beloved disciple.

Mark 16:7 says, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Why did Jesus specially mention the name “and Peter”? He wanted Peter to know that he is still in his loving mind although he blew it all. That word did not help much. Peter’s failure and guilt left a big scar that was too big and deep.

Jesus knew it all and appeared to him personally along with other disciples by the sea of Galilee at the place where he backslid the most (when he went back to the old job of fishermen). Jesus met him there with cooked breakfast on the charcoal fire. There at the charcoal fire, Jesus reinstated him back to His loving fellowship and gave the commission to “feed my lambs.” (John 21:15-17)

Remember Jesus prayed for him that his faith would not fail. Jesus did not allow Peter’s faith to fail, although he failed tragically and wanted to go back to his old life. If you are a child of God, God has you in His strong and mighty hand. You are in the hand of God the Father and the hands of Jesus Christ. (John 10:28-28). No one can snatch you away. Temporary setbacks and the consequent lessons you learned from the school of God equip you to strengthen your brothers more efficiently. Just in one preaching (of Peter) that is recorded in Acts 2, not just a few people, but three thousand people repented of their sins and accepted Christ as their savior and Lord. (Acts 2:41).

What are you waiting for? You have a God who is ready to use your past for his wonderful and amazing glory if you let Him. Would you come to Jesus and accept His steadfast and endless love toward you? Would you repent of your sins? He has big and strong arms to embrace you. Then He asks you to “feed his lambs” with your unique past stories.

I would encourage you to take a few minutes to recollect and write down your unique story. Then think and learn what God taught you from it. Accept God’s never-changing and eternal love toward you. Repent and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Then begin strengthening your brothers and feeding God’s lambs.

Your story would change into God’s amazing and marvelous story.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know you want me to turn back to you by accepting your everlasting love for me. Please forgive my sins and mistakes. I repent of it and look to you for help and deliverance. I accept Jesus Christ died and rose again in my place for all of my sins. Lord save me now and turn my story into your marvelous and amazing story. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”