Jesus Style Leadership 1 - Call & GraceSýnishorn

Failure and Grace

Leadership Lesson

Jesus-style leaders are treated with incredible grace. Even our failures can be the start of something good.

Read John 21:15-17

Comment

Peter’s failure as a follower of Jesus plagued him. Despite all his grand promises to support Jesus, when he was put under pressure at Jesus’ trial, Peter vehemently denied knowing Jesus three times (Mark 14:66-72). He swore that he had nothing to do with Jesus. This was a catastrophic failure by Peter (one of Jesus’ closest friends). He completely abandoned Jesus, his leader and mate, at Jesus’ toughest time. In Peter’s mind, this pathetic failure totally ruled him out of any future leadership role in the church. He would never be able to live it down. But that is not how Jesus saw it. Peter’s real influence was just beginning. The three-repeat of Jesus’ question about loving him hurt Peter (21:17), but it had a clear purpose. Jesus recommissioned Peter three times. This was linked with Peter’s three denials. His failure was the beginning of a new work of God through him. Peter became the pastoral leader of the early church. This was God’s grace at work. Your failure is not the end, but the beginning of a new work of God in you and through you.

Prayer

I am embarrassed and disappointed and frustrated with my weaknesses and failures. There is no way that I deserve to be your child, let alone be called to lead others. Yet you continue to forgive me and you call me to keep going. Today I say that I love you, and I hear your call and receive your grace and forgiveness again.

Personal Reflection

Jesus, in his grace, loves to turn our failures into the start of something new in our leadership. Do you have an example of that in your life? What have you tried that has failed or is close to failing? What has God taught you or what Is God teaching you through this?