Failing God - Peter

Scenes From Passion Week

Is Failure Final? 

Matthew 26: 31-33

Luke 22:31 – 33

Mark 14:30 – 31

Peter’s Denial   

I find that even though Jesus was managing related activities regarding resurrection, He still found time for “one person”, namely Peter (Matthew 28:7 “He is not here…Go tell His disciples and Peter…) So now comes time to restore Peter and give commission to His disciples.

A Model for Restoration of a Believer:

Step 1 -  Peter failed and was sorrowful. He later found comfort with his friends. Sometimes a believer loses faith and either never returns (like Judas), stays on the fringes and never gets back into the mix or finds themselves in the support of fellow believers (as Peter did). Peter was disappointed with himself, but he did not lose faith (Of course, Jesus already prayed for him and all believers).

Step 2 – Not because a person fails, does it mean they lost love (Look at Peter’s response when he first ran to the tomb. See the same response when John tells him “It’s the Lord” [John 21:7]).

Step 3 -  Jesus returns and has fellowship with the Seven. In the fellowship of his brethren Jesus confronts and rebukes Peter’s actions (Called him by his “old name “Simon”, then asking him if he loved him 3 times). Peter knew exactly where Jesus was going. Peter humbly resigns to Jesus.

Step 4 – According to Moore, after this discourse Jesus “charges Peter with oversight of His flock”. Peter hangs up his fisherman gear and returns to full-time ministry.

 How does the text inform you as a minister in the kingdom?  - This is a working model one can follow for restoring a fallen or discouraged brother/sister. Solid path when we have failed. Failure is not Final! Moore (678)tells us in this section that “Even though Peter had failed, it doesn't mean that He is no longer valuable. And it did not mean Jesus would not give him the keys to the kingdom”. He goes on to say that “Since Peter has already been “duly chastised” by Jesus”, there’s no need to drag this issue out any further. We (Church leaders and lay people) can take a page from this exchange between Jesus and Peter.

I believe that we miss the big picture sometimes when someone fails. Some do a good job of coming alongside a fallen brother.  I know this text has moved me and the way I will conduct ministry.

References:

Moore, M. The Chronological Life Of Christ. United States: College Press (2007).

Written by Pastor Kevin A. Hall