But Jesus is greater and stronger than all human weakness. Peter was not chosen as a disciple because he had the talent and gifts that was necessary for the job. It was all solely by the irresistible grace of Jesus. It was Jesus who called Peter to follow him. It was Jesus who called Peter blessed and likened him to a rock. No circumstance, no person, not even Satan, can thwart the purposes of the sovereign God.
Jesus is able to restore Peter because he had completely paid for Peter's denial on the cross. Satan's accusation against Peter had no power because through Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross, Peter stood forgiven before God. That remains true today. There's thousands of ways that we stumble and fall and for each of these we stand guiltless because of the cross. Our failures, driven by sinful desires, condemn us but Jesus took them upon himself so that we are condemned no longer (Romans 8:31-39). That's lavish grace. That's why we call Jesus, Savior!
The story of Peter's restoration is found in John 21. This was after the crucifixion. Jesus had rose again and appeared at various times with the disciples and other people. Peter and the other disciples went to Galilee as Jesus instructed them to do before Jesus' trial and crucifixion. Peter and the other disciples were fishing all night and had not caught anything. The irony in this is that even in fishing, supposedly Peter's expertise, he still failed (John 21:3)!
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
-John 21:4-14 (ESV)
Jesus knew where the fish was and commanded them to throw it on the right side of the boat. And they caught fish! Jesus is demonstrating to his disciples that for them to succeed they must totally depend on him even right down to their provision. It is Jesus who has the authority and power that they will need to accomplish their commission to spreading the gospel.
In the midst of failure, we seek redemption, restoration, acceptance, and fellowship with the person we have wronged. Perhaps, that's what drove Peter to jump into the water and swim to shore towards Jesus. As the disciples got out on land, Jesus was preparing a meal for them."Come and have breakfast," Jesus said. Realize the significance of this scene, especially with Peter. Jesus also invited for breakfast the guy who denied knowing him three times. Sharing a meal is sign of fellowship. He didn't give Peter the cold treatment. Jesus did not count Peter's failure against him. Instead, they ate together. That's grace.
After breakfast, Jesus and Peter finally had the talk over what happened that fateful night in the courtyard.
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.
-John 21:15-17 (ESV)
There was no recrimination whatsoever with Jesus, only acceptance. Jesus restores Peter three times for the three denials that Peter had done. In each instance, Jesus asks, "Peter, do you love me?" Loving Jesus means to treasure him, to delight in him, and to put our trust in him. Each time Peter says yes and was grieved when Jesus asks him for the third time. "Lord you know everything," Peter said. Peter knew that Jesus could see what's in his heart. Jesus, who had previously discerned his prideful heart, could also see that his love was genuine. When we truly experience God's kindness, it leads to repentance (Romans 2:4) and a right relationship with God. Peter's love for Jesus was borne out of gratefulness of the mercies of God. We love God because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). It isn't the other way around. Indeed that's what Jesus sees and appropriately re-commissions Peter three times. If Peter's failure defined him, he would have remained a fisherman. But because Jesus' forgiveness defined him, he became a fisher of men : a fearless evangelist who played a key role in the founding of the early church and the spread of the gospel.
The guilt of past failures and sins can haunt and inhibit us in many ways. Satan uses it in his accusations against us. But God's grace is greater than our sin. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We are set free. What a joyful life it is to be forgiven and to be reconciled to God. And when we live under the grace of God, our failures do not destroy us.
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