Tuesday, February 11, 2014

February 12, 2014

"After breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” He then asked a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Master, you know I love you.” Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep.” Then he said it a third time: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was upset that he asked for the third time, “Do you love me?” so he answered, “Master, you know everything there is to know. You’ve got to know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, “Follow me.” John 21:15-19

What do you do after you have failed and you are confronted with your failure?

Do you know how to "fail forward"?

Jesus met with Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He met him there because Peter had returned to fishing after he miserably failed Christ by denying Him three times. Peter was running from his failure by returning to something he knew he was good at doing - fishing.

After the breakfast of divinely caught fish, Jesus pulled Peter aside and kindly confronted him with the cause of his failure, "Peter, do you love me (with a divine, godly love)?" 

Peter's answer was honest but insufficient, "Yes, Lord, I love you (with a warm, brotherly love)."

Jesus repeated the question and Peter gave the same response.

The third time, Jesus changed the question and lowered the bar, "Peter, do you love me (with a warm, brotherly love)?"

Peter was deeply grieved and broken because Jesus had exposed him for his lack of devoted love.

Jesus loved Peter so much that He wanted him to understand why he failed. Only when you understand your reason for failing are you able to begin turning the failure into success!

Like you and me, the cause of Peter's failure was simply because he didn't love Jesus enough. He loved Him like a friend or a brother but not like a devoted follower of the Son of God.

As Jesus revealed to Peter, when you love him better you will live for Him better!