Most of us know what it feels like to wish we could go back and do something differently. A word we wish we could take back. A decision we regret. A moment where we failed someone we love—or failed to be the person we hoped we would be.
Failure has a way of convincing us that we are defined by our worst moments.
But the story of Peter reminds us that Jesus sees something different.
Peter’s failure was real. After boldly promising he would never abandon Jesus, Peter denied even knowing Him. The disciple who said he would follow Jesus anywhere found himself broken by his own fear and failure.
But Jesus does not wait for Peter to fix himself before He comes to him.
After the resurrection, Jesus meets Peter on the shore. He does not shame him. He does not discard him. He restores him.
Through forgiveness, Jesus transforms a moment of failure into a new beginning. The same Peter who failed Jesus is the Peter Jesus restores and sends forward with a calling.
This is the heart of the Gospel: Jesus does not love an idealized version of us. He loves real sinners. He meets us in our brokenness, forgives us by grace, and gives us a future. In Christ, we are free to begin again. Because Jesus’ grace is stronger than our worst moments.
Summer Services are at 9:00 AM each week. Join us! Live Streaming available.
Pastor Wes Asheim
