PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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What is the last thing that you think you would ever do in this life? What action do you absolutely believe in your core that you could not, would not possibly do, no matter what? What would you think of yourself if you were to wake up one morning and realize that you have in fact, done that one forbidden thing?
Affect
How would such a failure affect you? Odds are, it would be crushing in ways that you would find impossible to describe. The weight of your failure would threaten to consume you, crush you, and bring you down in every way imaginable.
This was what the Apostle Peter experienced after he denied having anything to do with Jesus of Nazareth as he stood at a safe distance, warming himself by a fire. All of Peter’s actions and statements about Jesus up to this point pointed toward the fact that denying Jesus would have been Peter’s worst-case scenario. In fact, that same night, Peter pulled a sword, cut off a man’s ear, and was willing to die in defense of Jesus, rather than have his Lord be abused in any way.
Shrank
After Peter’s ultimate failure, he shrank back from his previous role as the mouthpiece of the disciples. In fact, Peter went back to his old job as a fisherman on the Galilee. He was crushed by the weight of his unimaginable failure.
In the conversation that follows, the resurrected Jesus Christ speaks to Peter (after having breakfast), and addresses Peter’s failure.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you 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.
(John 21:15-17 NIV11)
Three
Why did Jesus ask Peter about the true nature of his heart, about his love, three different times? It was not done to shame Peter. No way. It was done to symbolically reference Peter’s great failure.
Peter denied Jesus three times, so Jesus calls Peter out of his place of shame and back into the light of God’s love by asking Peter about his love for the Lord three times.
Jesus Christ did not ignore Peter’s failure, nor did Jesus minimize what happened. Instead, Jesus calls Peter to see his failure in the light of day. See it. Understand it. Own it!
But Jesus does more than simply call Peter to acknowledge his failure and his need for forgiveness; Jesus restores Peter’s calling and place in the service of the Lord.
Greater
You and I need to see the power of God’s grace on display. Jesus made it clear to Peter that his sins, though great and terrible, cannot negate or overcome the power of the cross. Peter’s sin was nailed to the cross of Christ and was buried in the tomb with Jesus. Jesus Christ was raised to new life, and Peter’s sin was left in the grave.
God’s grace is greater than Peter’s worst nightmare. Jesus Christ wanted Peter to allow the grace of God to sink deep into his soul. Jesus wanted Peter to accept the fact that through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, he was forgiven.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, help me experience the grace that you showed Peter. I, too, have failed in unimaginable ways. I have done what I promised you I would never do. I deserve to be forgotten, punished, and abandoned because of my failure. Yet, your grace abounds even more. Thank you for the powerful gift of grace you have shown me on the cross. Help me to embrace this truth today.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Worked at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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