Restoration is Possible John 21

John 21: When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? ” “Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.” “Feed My lambs,” He told him. 16 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. 17 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. 18 “I assure you: When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to signify by what kind of death he would glorify God. After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me! ”

The Backstory You can’t be restored unless you have been damaged or lost your position Peter damaged his relationship with his friend, his peers, himself, and with God when he denied that he knew Jesus in Matthew 26. It’s recorded in every gospel! Failure isn’t the end of the story unless you let it be!

The Content Peter decides he’s going fishing and he doesn’t say why but we can speculate! They don’t catch anything On the way in, they see a man who gives them an odd request After the catch, John recognizes Jesus first Peter jumps into the water and swims to shore, leaving his nets for a second time

The Outcome He has a charcoal fire ready and fish already on the fire, the last and only other time that kind of fire is mentioned in the NT is John 18 It’s when Peter denies he knows Jesus Jesus pressed Peter to deal with his failure He restored Peter’s leadership and fellowship with His people and more importantly with Himself

What about us? Realize we all will fail Jesus Don’t try to hide our failures Return to Jesus Confess our sins Don’t avoid the consequences Don’t keep bringing it up Move on in His grace Lead the way for others