November 17, 2022
John 21:15-19
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

New International Version (NIV)
“Our failures are not fatal,” wrote Max Lucado.  This great pastor and author has been transparent about his own troubles.  He writes about God’s grace and forgiveness from the perspective of one who needed grace and found forgiveness. 

After Peter denied Jesus the third time and realized Jesus had seen him and heard every word, Peter wept bitterly.  He must have thought he was finished.  When he raced John to the tomb, he needed to win.  He wanted to believe there might be another chance for him. 

Peter had been fishing when Jesus found him and invited him to follow.  All four gospels chronicle his volatility.  When he went fishing again, was he returning to what he had known before?  No matter.  Jesus found him again and gave him three chances to declare his love.  Each time Jesus offered him a new opportunity to lead and feed his sheep.  Peter finished well, witnessing to Jesus through his martyrdom.

For every one of us who feels that we might have gone one sin too far, Peter’s story offers hope.  Our failures are not fatal.  It’s true:  our God is the God of the second chance, and the third.  His mercies are new today.  Follow Jesus all the way to the finish.  

Pray with me:
Our Jesus, we love you.  Thank you for pursuing us and finding us.  Help us to live in full awareness of your forgiveness today.  Put us to what you will.  We belong to you.  You lead.  We will follow.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen. 
Our 2022 Every Day with Jesus readings will cover the whole Bible in one year.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:
We would love for you to join us as we read through the Bible this year. In addition, I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  As we journal together this year, Highlight a verse that stands out to you, Explain what it means, Apply that truth to your life and Respond to what you’ve read with an action or prayer.
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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