Comeback: An Easter Devotional for TeensSample

The Redemption of Peter

By Caleb Logan

"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 a 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. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, 'Follow me.'”—John 21:15–19

Have you ever had your parents tell you to not do something and then you end up doing it anyway? It always upsets your parents in the end knowing that you went against their word, and you always end up having this deep longing to win back your parents' trust.

Well, if you think that’s hard, then imagine being in Peter's shoes. Peter told Jesus that he would never betray Him and that he would die for Him, yet we see in John 13 where Jesus tells Peter “I tell you the truth Peter, before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times.” If we keep reading, we see this literally come to pass, word for word as Peter ends up denying Jesus on three accounts, doing the very thing that he said he wouldn’t do (John 18).

If you could imagine what Peter must have felt knowing that he denied Jesus to three different people. There must have been such shame and sadness that came over him. We’ve all been there, too! Maybe not doing exactly what Peter did, but knowing that we did something that wasn’t pleasant in the eyes of the Lord. Maybe you looked at something you weren’t supposed to or even thought something bad about someone, knowing that those thoughts were wrong. We’ve all been there to some extent and we all know the shame and guilt that comes along with it.

However, because we believe in Jesus and have asked Him to forgive us of our sins, we are found blameless and guiltless in the eyes of God our Father. When we come to Jesus in repentance of our sins, He doesn’t hold a grudge against us, Instead, He is waiting for us with open arms, He’s calling out to us come so that we may receive, be enveloped in, and be changed by His love! 

After Jesus was resurrected, He came back to His disciples and redeemed what they had wronged. Jesus asks Peter three separate times “Do you love me?” This must’ve reminded Peter how he denied Jesus three times. After Peter replied, “Lord you know everything; you know that I love you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my sheep.” Jesus restored Peter in the presence of the other disciples by causing him to squarely face his point of failure, feel deeply the forgiveness and redemption of Jesus, and then be directed to move forward free from guilt and shame into the great calling God had for him. Jesus reconciled Peter's shame, restored him, and called him to set his eyes on the work ahead.

Friends, Jesus isn’t after your perfection or your performance. He isn’t after the vows that you keep or how well you can look the part of being a Christian. He’s after your heart. He loves you and desires a relationship with You. Whatever you might be going through right now, there is nothing that can separate you from the redeeming love of God. He is our refuge and our hiding place, you can come to Him just as you are. He won’t ever hold a grudge against you; instead, He will fill You with His love through the Holy Spirit and work in your heart and life, changing you from the inside out as He draws you into the calling and purpose He's given us to live a life like Jesus and make disciples!

PAUSE: What am I holding onto or walking in that I think the Lord won’t forgive me for? 

PRACTICE: Hold out your hands and ask Jesus to come and redeem whatever part of you feels hopeless. Ask the Spirit to show you how to walk in the ways that Christ did.

PRAY: Jesus, I come to You broken and ashamed, come and fill every part of me and make me whole again. Forgive me for not following after You, for I am nothing without You. Thank You for redeeming me. Amen.