Lord of all Creation, Know His Love, Here in Your Presence, Even (I’ll Still Praise), Christ is Enough

What mementos or souvenirs from the ’80s or ’90s do you still have at home? Is there an upgraded version of it that exists today?

15 So 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, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He said to him again 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, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 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 all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

Do you remember those gadgets from years ago? You needed more patience to operate them manually, and they were not as fast or efficient as we would want them to be (VHS players, Family Computer, cassette tapes, beepers, etc.). Today, we have streaming services for movies, cellphones, PlayStation, and K-Pop bands instead. But regardless of your generation, we will experience failures. We all have cheated, lied, gossiped, etc. at some point in our lives. Whatever our sins were, we tend to either cover-up, isolate, or even harm ourselves. These do not bring true healing and restoration. Only God can restore us; we need to run to Jesus when we fail. The apostle Peter failed massively, but Jesus restored him. Restoration is not found in a process but in a Person.

Peter was in his mid-teens when Jesus first called him (Luke 5:3-5). Peter has heard about Jesus and experienced a miracle of an abundant catch of fish (Luke 5:6-7). Peter responded with awe and respect and saw himself as a sinful man. After revealing Himself to Peter, Jesus called Peter to become His follower (Luke 5:8, 10). Peter would go on to witness many more miracles as he followed Jesus. Yet even after experiencing all that, Peter still failed the Lord, he denied Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75). We too, deny Jesus when we lie, cheat, etc. and we fail Him. But how does God restore us?

HE REACHES OUT (John 21:1-5)

Peter and the other disciples decided to go back to fishing. There’s nothing wrong with fishing, but Jesus had already called Peter to become a “fisher of men”. Sometimes, we run back to our old ways when we fail. We allow ourselves to be consumed by sin.

Yet God reaches out to us when we fail at our calling. Like Jesus standing on the shore calling out to Peter that morning, He is actively seeking those who are lost (Luke 19:10). We always seek what’s important to us; you are important to God! The Lord seeks us by surrounding us with people of faith. You may get invited to a church service, or hear God’s words through a Christian song, read a verse on social media, etc. Jesus is actively seeking every one of us!

HE REMINDS (John 21:6-13)

Jesus reminded Peter of the first time He called him to follow Him. The scenario that Jesus presented to Peter and the other disciples was similar to and was a reminder of His calling for them. Jesus wanted to remind them of who He is—the One who called them, the God who can accomplish miracles (the bountiful catch of fish, the net not breaking). That was not the only thing that Jesus reminded them about. When He broke the bread and gave it to them along with the roasted fish He prepared for breakfast, it was a reminder of the Lord’s Supper. A reminder that Jesus sacrificed His body and shed His blood to save us. Being reminded of who Jesus is will be our greatest motivation to stand up again when we fail.

HE REBUKES (John 21:14-17)

We may like that Jesus reaches out to us and reminds us of who He is and His ways, but we may not like the fact that Jesus also rebukes us when we sin. When you only receive encouragement and no rebuke to let you know what you have done wrong or where you must improve, that is not love at all. That’s why Jesus rebuked Peter. But take note, Jesus waited until after breakfast. Sometimes, we rebuke right away, but let’s learn from how Jesus did so with Peter. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him—and Peter responded that he does love the Lord. But Peter was grieved that Jesus asked him three times; the same number of times that Peter denied Jesus. It was a rebuke from Jesus; He rebukes us because He loves us. But part of God’s rebuke is His discipline. There are consequences to our sins – – it could be shame, rebuke, emotional hurt, physical hurt (e.g. sickness from sexual sins), loss, damaged relationships, or even death. God allows those He loves to experience the earthly consequences of our sins as part of His discipline (Hebrews 12:5-6). Part of God’s rebuke is His discipline.

We need to give the right response to God’s discipline. We need to admit our sins, accept God’s discipline, and continue to abide in Him. For when we abide in Jesus, we receive the comfort we need. Even when God restores us, the consequences tell us that it’s not worth it to sin.

HE RECOMMISSIONS (John 21:18-22)

Jesus recommissions Peter by telling him to “Tend His lambs”, “Shepherd My sheep”, “Tend My sheep”, and finally… “Follow Me!”. Jesus was preparing Peter for very tough times ahead, that his life will be very challenging. Peter led the church during a time of great persecution under the emperor, Nero. But never again did Peter deny Jesus. At the time when 1 and 2 Peter were written, the apostle Peter was committed to the Lord, no matter how difficult it was.

Like Peter, we often compare our lives with others. Their restoration process may be “easier” than ours, but we are not to focus on others. We focus on and follow Jesus! Broken people who humble themselves make a great impact in God’s kingdom. Brokenness becomes beautiful when we humble ourselves because then we see how God restores. Peter wrote about this in his letter to the persecuted church (I Peter 5:6-7). He also warns believers against our enemy, the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9). Finally, I Peter 5:10 tells us that it is “God Himself who will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you”. Our imperfections cannot limit the God of all grace to move mightily in our lives. Our response is to humble ourselves, and run back to Jesus because we have a God who restores.

Pray for someone you know who has failed or “denied” Jesus.

Ask God to restore that person, and be a willing instrument of God’s grace to that person.

Reach out, remind, or rebuke in love and truth.

Encourage that person about the truth that God restores and recommissions us when we run back to Jesus.

Share the gospel with those who do not know Jesus yet so that they may experience restoration in their relationship with God through Christ!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• God’s help and comfort for the Sudanese people caught in violence and conflict.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented; tension in East Asian and Middle East countries to stop.

• Continue to pray for the rest of Israeli hostages to be restored back to their families safely. Pray for Israel and the war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For the recent political and social upheaval in the US to result in spiritual awakening in the church and a great spiritual harvest.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.