Good News of Restoration

I know they older I get and the more time passes and people pass and stages of life pass the more emotional I get, but there’s many times I get emotional watching the act of kindness bring a touch of restoration to a persons hope.

Restoration takes the cracks and brokenness and brings refreshing, wholeness, renewal, shalom.

Here’s what I’ve learned, we all need restoration.

We are all a restoration project in need of the master restorer to come and work in us and on us.

We all need to be restored. We have all experienced cracks, brokenness, some more broken than others. Some of us have been broken emotionally. Some of us have ben broken mentally. Some of us have been broken spiritually. Some of us have been broken physically. This morning we are going to look at someone who we can identify as The Broken.

His name? Peter.

Peter the apostle is one of the most prominent characters in the Gospels, a rough and tumble man whose emotions often got him into trouble, and yet he was clearly one of the favorites of Jesus Christ, who loved him for his big heart. Peter's true name was Simon. With his brother Andrew, Simon was a follower of John the Baptist.

When Andrew introduced Simon to Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus renamed Simon Cephas, an Aramaic word meaning "rock."

The Greek word for rock, "petros," became this apostle's new name, Peter. His aggressiveness made Peter a natural spokesman for the twelve.

Often, however, he spoke before he thought, and his words led to embarrassment. Jesus included Peter in his inner circle when he took Peter, James, and John into the house of Jairus, where Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead (Mark 5:35-43). Later, Peter was among those same disciples Jesus chose to witness the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9).

Those same three saw Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33-42). After Jesus arrest and crucifixion Peter was a broken man. Peter was Emotionally Broken Peter was Spiritually Broken Peter was Mentally Broken You see, at the Last Supper Passover Meal Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowd Friday morning.

Peter had promised Jesus at their celebration of the Passover meal and institution of the New Covenant Meal that he would never deny Jesus. That if Jesus was going to wash his feet he wanted Jesus to wash his face and hands too. That he would be the most faithful follower Jesus would ever have. We even see Peter ready to fight for Jesus when Jesus is arrested. Peter pulls a sword and cuts of the ear of a Roman soldier. Jesus, amazing everyone including Peter, picks up the ear, and miraculously places it back on the head of the soldier, healing him instantly. Peter is confused. Peter is angry. Peter who was ready to fight alongside this miracle worker, now realizes that this miracle worker isn't going to fight back, but is actually going to live out the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is actually gong to turn the other cheek. Jesus is actually going to lay down his life for his friends. Jesus is actually going to die. Jesus is not going to fight back. Peter was ready to fight.

And then Jesus is arrested.

Luke 22:47–62 CSB

47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When those around him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, he healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal? 53 Every day while I was with you in the temple, you never laid a hand on me. But this is your hour—and the dominion of darkness.” 54 They seized him, led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. Meanwhile Peter was following at a distance. 55 They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. 56 When a servant saw him sitting in the light, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with him too.” 57 But he denied it: “Woman, I don’t know him.” 58 After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too.” “Man, I am not!” Peter said. 59 About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with him, since he’s also a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

But now he realizes that death, crucifixion is coming for Jesus. And if they will kill Jesus, they may kill him too. So Peter, outside the midnight trial of Jesus by the Jewish leaders, when confronted about his relationship with this Christ, with this self-proclaimed King of the Jews, this Messiah, the Rebel-King, denies knowing Jesus. Not once. Not twice. But three times. Aren't you with Jesus? No, I've never met him. Aren't you one of his disciples? No, I don't follow Jesus. Yes, you are. You've from the same area as him. No, I don't even know this Jesus. Who is he? Then a rooster crowed. And Peter remembers the words of Jesus. That even though Peter boasted of his faithfulness, Jesus said before the rooster crows a second time you will have denied me three times.

Peter who boasted of his strength, his faithfulness - was know weak, unfaithful and broken. And then within the day, Jesus is crucified violently. And Peter was confronted with his frailty, his humanity, his unfaithfulness, his weakness. He realized he wasn't who he thought he was.

And over the course of the next few hours Jesus would be tried, beaten, mocked, forced to carry a cross, and be crucified.

Peter was broken.

Peter was Emotionally Broken -

tears, anger, despair, He was an emotional wreck. Luke records that Jesus looked at Peter

I imagine that look was not a look of anger, but of sorrow.

And when Peter was faced with his own fragility, cowardice, weakness…

When Peter was faced with the realization of his own actions it wrecked him.

Self hatred.

Anguish.

Confusion.

Sorrow.

Guilt.

Bitter weeping.

I’m sure he felt inadequate, like a fraud, angry, sick.

Every emotion was at war within him.

He was at an emotional wreck.

He was emotionally broken.

Peter was Mentally Broken -

I'm sure his mind was flashing memories and images of the miracles and teaching of Jesus.

When Peter jumped out of the boat and walked on the water, of course when he turned his eyes from Jesus and began to sink, Jesus reached out and lifted him up and the they walked on the water together.

Now Jesus is dead.

And Peter had denied Jesus publicly.

His mind thought of the denial.

In hours Jesus would be dead and the images of the crucifixion would replay in his mind.

The voice of Jesus asking Peter to follow him and be fisher of men was heard in his ear.

And he was mentally broken.

Peter was Spiritually Broken -

This Savior was dead.

Everything he believed about Jesus was dead.

The revolution. Dead.

The Kingdom. Dead.

The miracles. Dead.

The teachings. Dead.

The explaining of scripture. Dead.

Hope. Dead.

Love. Dead.

Jesus was dead.

And Peter believed that now he was spiritually dead.

Can you imagine the spiritual emptiness Peter felt?

The emotional turmoil?

The mental anguish?

Then Sunday Happens.

Resurrection.

Jesus is raised from the dead.

Peter is the first disciple to run into the tomb after Jesus appeared to the women who went to anoint his body.

There's suddenly a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps Jesus will do what he said.

Perhaps the promises can still be fulfilled.

Peter hoped.

But Peter was still broken.

There was hope in Jesus, but there was despair in Peter.

Jesus is alive.

But NOW WHAT?

Now what for Peter?

He was glad that Jesus was alive, but still felt guilt, shame, brokenness.

Jesus Was Alive. Peter Was Broken.

Jesus knew this - Peter’s feeling of guilt, shame, brokenness.

Jesus understood Peter's brokenness.

Peter's denial didn't surprise Jesus.

Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew Peter.

Jesus could speak straight into Peter and immediately get to the heart of the issue.

Jesus loved Peter.

Jesus was Peter's friend.

Even after everything, Jesus wouldn’t throw Peter away.

Peter Gets Lost

Jesus is alive, that was exciting and hopeful.

But Peter couldn’t get past his denial.

He rejoiced in the resurrection but he despaired in his denial.

He didn’t know how to process it.

He didn’t know how to move past it.

He didn’t know if there was any point in him stIcking around.

He didn’t know if there was any use for him in the mission and ministry of Jesus.

He didn’t even think he could be counted on anymore.

He didn’t even think he could be called a friend of Jesus.

He was confused, upset, and uncertain.

So Peter did what many men do when the are upset, and confused, unsure of what comes - He went fishing.

Really, he went back to work.

He went back to what he knew he could do.

He went back to what would occupy his mind and his time.

He was going to try to get his mind of his brokenness by burying himself in his work.

That's a typical response for men. Preoccupy your mind. Do something else.

Men aren't the only ones that do that. Women do it too. Preoccupy your mind.

All of us try to find a way to distract ourselves from our brokenness.

Sometimes the distractions are harmless.

Binge eating. Binge watching. Facebook.

Sometimes they are destructive.

Illegal drugs. Prescription drugs. Unhealthy relationships. Alcohol.

We try to numb the pain, distract ourselves from the brokenness.

And that's when Jesus steps in to inviting us to wholeness.

Peter Gets Found

Look with me at how Jesus goes to Peter and offers restoration, healing from the brokenness.

John 21:1–19 CSB

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. 6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. 8 Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appearedF, to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,G do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. 16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. 17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. 18 “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” 19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

Jesus shows up where Peter is.

Jesus chases down Peter.

And He reveals himself in a way that would remind Peter that Peter is powerless on his own but that with Christ, miracles are still possible.

Peter caught no fish until Jesus showed up.

The Jesus takes them to a fire.

The last time we see Peter being warmed by a fire he was denying Jesus.

Now we see him being warmed by a fire while Jesus cooks him breakfast, feeds him, and then asks him if Peter loves him.

Jesus is seeking restoration.

Jesus is seeking to restore Peter not just to ministry, but to relationship.

It's no coincidence that Jesus asked him if Peter loved him three times.

That's the same amount of times Peter denied Jesus.

Do you love me like a friend.

Peter said yes, Lord, you know I do.

What Peter was saying was, Lord, I messed up. But You know my heart, you know who I want to be, what I want to do.

And Jesus answered him. Feed my sheep.

That mean that Jesus, the Good Shepherd was entrusting Peter with a role in his ministry even after his denial.

Peter understood.

Jesus loved Peter.

Jesus wasn't finished with Peter.

Listen, The answer to every ounce of Peter's brokenness was realizing he was still

Loved By Jesus

Had Purpose In Jesus

Jesus Is The Great Restorer

Listen church, listen broken-hearted, listen all who are emotionally broken, mentally broken, or spiritually broken - Peter's story is your story.

And Peter's healing, his restoration is your restoration.

Jesus is the great restorer

The answer to your brokenness is the same as Peter's.

The answer is realizing that you are Loved By Jesus.

And that you have purpose in Jesus.

Loved.

Right now. Loved.

Broken. Loved.

Hurt. Loved.

Self-medicating. Loved.

Sleeping around. Loved.

You are loved by Jesus.

And right now Jesus is revealing himself to you.

He is saying if I can love Peter, I can love you.

If I can restore Peter, I can restore you.

You are not too far gone.

Emotionally. Mentally, Spiritually.

I love you.

And I am not finished with you.

I have purpose for you.

I have a plan for you.

You past does not define your future.

Your present does not disqualify you from restoration and healing.

Jesus isn't finished with you.

Right now you don't even believe me, except you hope I'm telling the truth.

Peter felt the same way.

And so Jesus extended the invitation to Peter here the same as he did at the beginning - "Follow Me".

Jesus extends that invitation to you. "Follow Me.”

Follow Me

Jesus still comes to the broken.

Offers restoration.

And invites you to follow him.

You are loved in your brokenness.

You are loved out of your brokenness.

Will you follow Jesus out of your brokenness?

The journey may take 1000 steps but it always begins with one.

The journey may take 1000 steps but all that matters is the next one.

Follow Jesus down the restoration road.

Isaiah 43:1–2 CSB

Now this is what the Lord says— the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel— “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and the rivers will not overwhelm you, When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched and the flame will not burn you.

Follow Me, Jesus says.

It may be hard, it may get ugly, it may get hot, you may feel like youre going under, but I have redeemed you! I have called you by name, says the LORD.

Joel 2:24–25 CSB

The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and fresh oil. I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust— my great army that I sent against you.

What you thought would never or could never be full will be full.

What you thought would never be restored will be restored.

You thought you could never be fruitful again, but you will be fruitful.

God will multiply your fruitfulness, and He will restore what again.

It may not look like what you thought, but restoration will come in Jesus name.

He heals the brokenhearted.

Keep going!

Follow Jesus.

Keep His commandments.

Love Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Follow Jesus.

Jesus Loves You and he still has purpose for you!

Come. Follow Jesus.

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