Our Humanness Can Get in The Way of Our Purpose…For a Time…But Jesus Restores

It’s a pretty familiar story. 

Jesus is telling His disciples some last things before His arrest and death.  He says that He is going away and commands them to love one another as He had loved them—as an example to the world.  Peter, of course, then asks Jesus where He is going.  Jesus says Peter cannot follow Him now.  Peter’s response is essentially “why not—I would die for you, Jesus!” Jesus responds by asking: “Will you really lay down your life for me?” And predicts that Peter will instead “disown” Jesus three times before early morning (John 13:37-38).

We know from the rest of the recorded story that Peter does, in fact, renounce Jesus to strangers who ask.  Peter denies ever following Him, ever associating with Him, even ever knowing Him—and then exits the scene weeping in despair.

Peter, usually the one with great bravado, is stripped of his boldness, his audacity, and left in anguish, desolate.  Then, his Friend and Rabbi dies.  The One who called him from fishing to a life of discipleship.  The One who gave him a front row seat to healings and miracles and the Transfiguration.  The One who called to him to walk on water in the midst of a storm—when the rest of the disciples wouldn’t have even attempted such a thing.

Game over for Peter?

Not even.

Jesus is buried. He rises from the dead.  Peter races to the tomb when he hears the news.  Peter has enough hope in that moment that things are not as they seemed the days/nights previous.  Perhaps, just perhaps, the Rabbi and Teacher, the One Peter called Lord, had power over death.  Even in shame, Peter can’t resist.

And, later on a beach—with a distinct echo of Jesus’ original calling of Peter away from his fishing business, Jesus restores Peter.  Jesus calls Peter back to a life of discipleship…and healing…and leadership, all of which will make use of Peter’s attempts and failures and despair and hope.  Peter’s purpose is not derailed. God’s purposes for him prevail.  A forgiven Peter, imbued with the Holy Spirit is a powerhouse that cannot be stopped.

Where have you perhaps been less faithful to Jesus than you’d hoped for yourself?  Failed in some public or private way that you have interpreted as a permanent sidelining of your purpose?  Is it possible that the Lord wants to restore you, to forgive you, to fill you with His  Spirit that you might continue that purpose—or pursue a new one—as His powerhouse that cannot be stopped? Ask Him.  He can restore you and show you.

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and the Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.