The Fire of Restoration

Read the Text: John 21

Memorize the Text:   He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)

Consider the Text: John 21

John 21 includes a moment of restoration as Jesus restored Peter. The disciple had denied Jesus three days on the night of his trials and now dwelled in a moment of desiring restoration. In John 21, John detailed the story of Jesus reaffirming Peter and restoring him as they met together around the campfire. Today, this moment challenges us to understand how God desires to restore us if we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

This restoration moment exists as a CHALLENGE of honest evaluation. Jesus asked Peter a simple but defining question, “Do you love me as much as these?” The structure of this question meant that Peter needed to perform an honest assessment concerning his love and devotion to Jesus. He needed to assure that he loved Jesus more than the fish that would meet his physical needs, the friends gathered around the fire or the tools of work that rested nearby. The base thrust of the question focused on Peter’s view to identify if he loved Jesus more than anything else. The same question exists for each of us today. We need to evaluate and make sure that our love for Jesus is more significant than anything else. 

Peter demonstrated a CONSISTENT commitment to Christ. Peter did not waver from Jesus’ repeated question. Instead, he stayed true to his declaration that he loved Jesus. Peter did not continually shift his response seeking to appease Jesus but stated his love for Jesus with clarity and consistency. The grief developed from his denials had led to this deep, consistent response to Jesus. When we respond to the leading of Jesus, do we respond with consistency and with a passion, or do we seek to adjust to declare what we feel Jesus would desire to hear without a heartfelt passion?

 Jesus provided a CONFIRMATION of forgiveness. The dialogue and interaction between Jesus and Peter led to a verbal confirmation of the forgiveness extended to Peter. Jesus reaffirmed Peter three times which reflected the three moments of denial. The extension of forgiveness occurred in a manner that displayed forgiveness for each moment of unfaithfulness. The restoration did not address one moment alone, but the forgiveness given took care of each moment of disobedience. 

Jesus extended a COMMISSION in the moment of redemption. When Jesus extended forgiveness, he gave Peter a task to perform. Christ told Peter that he needed to “feed” and “shepherd” the flock. This pointed Peter to the task of feeding God’s people with the Word of God consistently. As a shepherd, he was to care for the flock in a protective, providing, and leading manner. 

This encounter between Peter and Jesus ought to bring us hope and joy. Like Peter, we deny Christ and live plagued by sin, but Jesus offers us the needed restoration and forgiveness. This comes through the redemption in Christ alone and through faith alone. So today, as you hear the words of Jesus extended to Peter, how would you respond standing in Peter’s sandals?

This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.