Complete Forgiveness (John 21)
Sang Won Sur
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon
son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you
love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love
you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
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Hosanna Revival is today, and I think this book (book of John), which
some of us have agreed to read before Hosanna, ends this way for a
reason.
How many of you feel like a failure? as if you don't measure up? Some
of you may be struggling with your failures before God -- how you've
failed Him so many times that you feel worthless, and as if God could
never accept you again.
I want to share with you the grace that we have received. God knew
that we can never make it on our own . . . He knew we'd fail in our
own strength. He knew we needed someone who would take place of our
failures.
We all know who that is . . .
But more importantly, let's remember our rightful place. We are the
children of God (not a servant or a nobody, but a heir to what God has
for us). We've lost this sonship (daughtership) because of sin. Now,
see what Jesus does . . .
The story above (John 21:15-17) links with John 18:15-27, where Peter
denied Jesus three times -- three failures.
Jesus forgives Peter's sin completely by iterating through this
forgiveness process three times.
With complete forgiveness, Peter is restored, reinstated to his
rightful position with God -- and the following verses (v. 18-19) talk
about the original plan God had for Peter (if you look at the
beginning verses, try v. 3, Peter had gone back to his old job of
fishing, which was not what God had in mind for Peter). It was through
this reinstatement that Peter's relationship with God was restored
(which can only occur through complete forgiveness of sins that only
Jesus can do). From here on, Peter was able to live to his fullest
(not be a fisherman all his life, but do amazing things through his
life by following God's will for him)
So, today and tomorrow - it's a chance for us to put all our failures
out to Jesus and receive His complete forgiveness. (of course, I can
walk you through this at another time, but it's these times of
"revivals" where you can really feel refreshed and re-secure a
relationship with God . . .). I encourage you to try to come if at all
possible.
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Couple of things to think about:
1. Do you know where you are going in life? What you will do in ten
years, twenty years? I encourage you to not remain a fisherman, but
find out what God has in plan for you. It begins with His forgiveness,
which leads to our reinstatement with our relationship with God.
2. Do you feel worthless, as if you can never measure up to the
world's standards? You're never good enough, not pretty enough, not
educated enough, not skilled enough? First, recognize that the world
is after useless things -- don't compare yourself with others -- we
know something greater! Second, bring all your failures to Jesus, he
can reconcile your weaknesses; and God will direct your steps.
You are a child of God, one who is forgiven and reinstated as God's child.
-Sang