What Failure Doesn’t Get to Decide
“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.” 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.”
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. 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”” John 21:15–19
Our worst moments don’t have to become the final word about who we are.
Peter was confident, outspoken, impulsive, and ultimately devastated by his own failure. But Jesus doesn’t allow Peter’s denial to define the rest of his life.
What interests me most here is that Jesus doesn’t simply forgive Peter and send him on his way. He entrusts him with responsibility.
Perhaps those who have experienced their own brokenness are especially equipped to treat the brokenness of others with tenderness.
Something to prayerfully ponder: how does failure, when met with God’s grace, produce a different kind of humility, patience, and a deeper understanding of human weakness and the strength of God through Jesus?
