Second Chances

Sometimes recognizing our sin for what it is can throw us into deep shame. In Matthew, we find that two of Christ Jesus’ disciples experience this moment of remorse—Judas after he betrayed Christ Jesus, and Peter when he denied Christ Jesus. From their responses, we learn what true repentance looks like.

Judas was remorseful when he realizes the enormity of his betrayal. But he didn't move from remorse to repentance. He tried to absolve his guilt by returning the payment he received for betraying Christ Jesus—an attempt to buy back his innocence. And when the “blood money” was refused and he was unable to eliminate the guilt, he hung himself (Matt 27:5).

Peter, the disciple with an impulsive, childlike loyalty to Christ Jesus, denied his Lord when questioned by a mere servant girl. When Peter remembered Christ Jesus’ prediction, he left “weeping bitterly.” However, the Gospel of John tells us that Peter glorified God in his death: "Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!" (John 21:18–19).

When sin is exposed, stopping at realization and remorse is tempting. Reveling in self-hate and self-loathing can seem fitting—you may feel like inflicting punishment on yourself will somehow absolve your guilt. But this is simply another form of relying on yourself—it is pride in disguise. You diminish the sacrifice that Christ Jesus has completed. You deny the freedom from guilt and shame that Christ Jesus has bought for you at a costly sacrifice. It’s only when you reach the end of your self-reliance and pride that you can look to the one who actually bore the guilt for you.

Now the disciples and Christ Jesus had all eaten, and were full and relaxed. It is more than likely that there was some enlightening discussion led by Christ Jesus the same way He used to do. But “it” was there and all present could probably feel “it”, an uneasiness in the air. Christ Jesus knew that what He had to say to Peter would make him uneasy. And you know Peter had to be full of doubts as to where he stood with Christ Jesus. He must have been hoping for the best, because he had received favor from Christ Jesus along with the rest of the disciples in the past.

Yet he must have been fearing for the worst, that a rebuke would come from his Lord and friend, and at last he would pay for all his betrayal. Peter must have felt that he had earned Christ Jesus' disapproval, and could not expect anything else but a rebuke for that betrayal. In Peter's mind it would have made sense for Christ Jesus to say, "Was that any way to repay my kindness to you? Didn't I tell you what a coward you would be?" Peter might have expected to be kicked out of Christ Jesus' band of disciples. Twice he had seen Christ Jesus since His resurrection, and Christ Jesus had not said a word to Peter about the betrayal. Surly the other sandal was about to fall any time now.

Finally, Christ Jesus put an end to all of Peter’s fears, worries, and waiting. Peter had blamed himself for the betrayal, and so Christ did not reprimand him for it, or talk to him about it directly. No, Christ Jesus did not talk to Peter about his denials but instead when they had finished eating, in reconciliation, He asked Peter the same question three times. It was no coincidence that Christ Jesus asked Peter three times concerning his love. Peter had denied the Lord three times. After asking and being satisfied in Peter’s sincerity, the offense was not only forgiven, but also forgotten. Christ Jesus let Peter know that he was as dear to Him as ever.

John 21:15-19
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

This morning I want to look at 3 ways that I believe Christ Jesus showed Peter he was forgiven and in good standing.

1. THE LORD CHALLENGED PETER (vs. 15)

As embarrassing as it might have been at the time, this tender exchange between Christ Jesus and Peter was needed. It was through this exchange that Peter was restored to Christ Jesus and his leadership role in the early church. Throughout the history of the church, thousands have been scattered on the roadside of good intentions for ministry. They traded God's call for something else – like fishing.

As we look at verse 15, one may wonder what is the meaning of the words more than these. Christ Jesus wanted to know if Peter loved Him more than these … what these?

Did Peter love Christ Jesus more than fishing and his boats? Did Peter love his stuff more than Christ Jesus?

Did Peter love Chris Jesus more than his fellow disciples? Did Peter love the relationship with his friends and family more than his relationship with Christ Jesus?

Did Peter love Christ Jesus more than all of the broken promises? Did Peter love living in his past more than living in the present and future for Christ Jesus?

Is Christ Jesus challenging you to make a choice as to what you love more today?

Just as the Lord Challenged Peter, He is still challenging us.

2. THE LORD REKINDLED PETER’S FERVOR (vs. 15-17)

Christ Jesus turned to Peter and asked him three times if he loved Him. Why did the Lord change the command after each of Peter's responses? Some say it was a reference to children's ministry (lambs), and adult ministry (sheep). Some have suggested it referred to the various ministries of the apostles and later the elders in the church, such as physically and spiritually feeding and caring for the flock. Maybe all this is implied in this text and maybe not. The point is that Christ Jesus called Peter here to shepherding rather than fishing or at least fishing for fish.

“do you love Me?” (Agape) – God’s love for man; divine love, a wider, an embracing love

“You know I love You” (phileo) (fil-eh'-o) – to be a friend to or fond of an individual, to have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling)

“do you love Me?” (agape) – Christ Jesus was asking for a higher spiritual devotion.

“You know I love You” (phileo) – Peter was not ready to or could not give Christ Jesus that higher level of devotion yet.

“do you love Me?” (phileo) – Do you at least love me on a human level?

“You know I love You” (phileo) – I love You dearly indeed! 

Peter declared his love and loyalty, and Christ Jesus accepted his confession. “Jesus is not asking about an ascending or descending scale of love here, but whether Peter loves Him so deeply and personally that he will faithfully obey Him in the mission which he is being given. It is not a question of how many green leaves come forth in Peter’s life, but how much fruit he will bear because he is abiding in Jesus’ love. Peter will care for all the sheep—feed the young ones, discipline the stubborn ones, and tenderly watch over the old ones.” - Preacher's Commentary

Do you love Christ Jesus dearly, indeed?

Instead of scolding Peter for his shortcomings Christ Jesus asks him three questions. In these three questions He challenged Peter, then He rekindled Peter’s fervor for kingdom work.

Also in those three simple yet life-changing questions we see how:

3. THE LORD RESHAPED PETER’S FUTURE (vs. 15-19)

The “backslider” was not only welcomed home, but commissioned by the great Shepherd to care for His sheep. Peter a fisherman most of his life up until now, got a career change, now Christ Jesus was asking him to become a Shepherd. The mission was not only to evangelize, to catch fish, but to disciple, to feed the sheep. Peter was to shepherd the sheep of Christ Jesus' fold. And a great shepherd he turned out to be.

Christ Jesus told Peter the price of shepherding – This brash, independent, vocal fisherman would one day be dependent, presumably a prisoner, and many believed, a martyr. Only Christ Jesus the Son of God could tell Peter about the kind of death he would die and then immediately say, “Follow me!” . (vs. 18-19, 22) . Christ Jesus taught Peter the principle of shepherding – He told Peter and the disciples to, “Follow Me” (vs. 19)

In the symbolism of the fish, the disciples had learned their trade and responsibilities outside the church. Now, in the symbolism of the sheep, Peter specifically and the disciples in general learned of their obligations to those within the Christian fellowship. Are you willing to let Christ Jesus reshape your future?

CONCLUSION:

There was a king who had suffered much from his rebellious subjects. But one day they surrendered their arms, threw themselves at his feet, and begged for mercy. He pardoned them all. One of his friends said to him, "Did you not say that every rebel should die?" "Yes," replied the king, "but I see no rebels here."

One of the most encouraging things you can receive from God is the hope that comes from being given a second chance. This is especially important when you have yielded to temptation or feel that you have fallen short of His plan and purpose for your life.

The truth is that God never limits the opportunity for forgiveness. Second chances encourage us to go on and not to give up even when the whispers of this world around you seem to say the opposite. After his denial of Christ Jesus, Peter was in need of a second chance, and Christ Jesus, through His grace, provided just that.

How many of you have longed for God’s cleansing touch when you become trapped by your wrongful actions? The only cure for sin or failure of any kind is God’s grace applied to your lives. This is what changes the stumbling sinner into a person living victoriously for Christ Jesus.

Even before you knew Him, Christ Jesus knew and loved you. It was His love that saved you, and it is His love that will keep you throughout eternity. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Are you struggling with the idea of grace and how it applies to your life? Realize that God loves you. He stands beside you and is pleased to call you His own. This grace is yours, if you will only ask.