Resolutions
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15) Jesus has a wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him! He does not humiliate us. He does not criticize us. He does not ask us to make a resolution to try harder. Rather, He takes us aside and asks us to reaffirm our love for Him. Peter miserably failed his Lord when he fled with the other disciples from the Garden of Gethsemane. Later, he publicly denied that he even knew Jesus. Peter must have wondered if he had been capable of being Jesus’ disciple when he was unfaithful to Jesus in His most crucial hour. You may be painfully aware that you have failed your Lord in many ways. Perhaps you were not faithful. Perhaps you disobeyed His word to you. Perhaps you denied Him by the way you lived. Jesus will take you aside, as He did Peter. He will not berate you. He will not humiliate you. He will ask you to examine your love for Him. He asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” If your answer, like Peter’s, is “Yes, Lord,” He will reaffirm His will for you. If you truly love Him, you will obey Him (John 14: 15). Jesus does not need your resolutions, your recommitments, or your promises to try harder. Jesus asks for your love. If you truly love Him, your service for Him will be of the quality that He desires.”
—T. Blackaby, Richard Blackaby,
Experiencing God Day by Day
The picture of Peter ashamed of his failure is one I can relate to. I know the feeling of being disappointed in myself, whether it was a sin of commission (something I did) or omission (something I neglected to do), and waking up to the realization that I’ve let my Lord (and myself) down. I’m cheered by this passage and the loving portrait it paints of our Savior. Jesus isn’t looking for a pound of flesh in payment, or for a resolution or commitment. He is the One who brings the healing. He’s the Lord of renewal. His mercies are new every morning; really, minute by minute. As the great old hymn proclaims, Because He lives, we can face tomorrow, knowing He isn’t holding our yesterdays over our heads. Someone reading this needs to hear and embrace this message. We all do at some point in our walk, and will again. This is the very Good News! While we were yet sinners, He died for us. That’s how much He loves you. Don’t forget it. Lean into it. Cry out for forgiveness and renewal. And be of good cheer: He gives grace to the humble and He heals the brokenhearted. May this reminder of His forever love cheer your heart today! —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics