Jesus Planned Your Comeback

er"God doesn’t just forgive you and move on—He rewinds you back to your 'Galilee,' the place where your purpose began, proving that no failure is beyond His redeeming love."

Mark 16:7 ““But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ””

Title: Jesus Planned Your Comeback Scripture: Mark 16:7

In 2005, the Professional Association of Teachers in Great Britain proposed a ban on the word “fail.” Teachers would no longer be able to speak of failure in the classroom. They would instead be forced to speak about student’s deferred success.[i]

I’m sure some of the motives behind this proposal were noble. Shortsighted? Absolutely, but noble. Anyone who has ever failed at something understands the pain and frustration of failure. Whether it’s an F on a term paper, a pink slip on a desk or a last-second loss on the field, failure hurts.

It hurts to fail, and it hurts when someone else fails you.

Scholars suggest this book was written by John Mark who was the assistant to Peter. While with Peter he took notes of what Peter witnessed and his time spent with Jesus. So reading the Gospel according to Mark is from the perspective of Peter. The cusser, the fighter, the loud mouth, the fisherman, the leader, the rock, the preacher.

Looking at Peter denial from the eyes of Peter hits different.

I denied him, I saw the little girl's eyes, and denied my savior. I felt this uncontrolled anger and cursed. Then i heard the reminder from the crow, which caused great fear and embarrassment. Jesus wasn't the only one who died that day.

Mark 16:7 reads differently now that I know who's talking. Jesus called out the disciples, but I get happy knowing that Angels know my name. Who i refuse to fight for fought for me. Peter presentation of this sermon was so powerful that John Mark had to jot it down in hopes of letting the world know That Jesus Planned Your Comeback.

God who knows the beginning from the end, suggests that nothing catches him by surprise.

This should make the imperfect people excited. This for the ones who’ve messed up, who said the wrong thing, who denied Jesus with their actions.

This word today is for the folks who know they’ve blown it, who know what failure feels like. It’s for the folks who thought they were too far gone, too disqualified, too ashamed to be used by God again.

God didn't plan for you to fail, but there is a plan in place when you do.

He Planned Your Provision Before Your Need

He Planned Your Victory Before Your Battle

He Planned Your Restoration Before Your Fall

He Planned Your Witness Before Your Test

He Planned Your Glory Before Your Suffering

He Planned Your Calling Before Your Failure

God never fails to fulfill His plans. Whatever God decides, He will bring to pass. There is no possibility of failure, no chance of disappointment. God has never felt the despair of frustrated plans. He has never experienced the sorrow of broken dreams. If God plans it, then it will happen.

Here’s the scandal of Mark 16:7: God didn’t anticipate your failure—He orchestrated your redemption around it. Before the rooster crowed, before the sword was pulled, before the curses left Peter’s lips—the resurrection was already drafting its reply: ‘Go tell His disciples—and Peter..

I. The Shame (Mark 16:7a)

Let’s go back to that first part: “Go, tell his disciples AND Peter…”

This is for the ones who feel disquailfied. Jesus is alive, the tomb is empty, and the angel gives instructions to the women: "Go tell the disciples... and Peter."

Now wait—why call Peter out like that? Why not just say “the disciples”? Why insert his name?

Because Jesus knew that Peter was living in shame.

Y’all remember Peter, don’t you? The same Peter who said, “Even if all fall away, I will not!” But when the pressure came, Peter folded like a lawn chair. Don’t point your finger because we all folded once or twice when pressure showed up. Things you said you would never do, places you would never go, and when it was time to show up, you not only missed the shot, but the whole goal. And failure is the easy part what comes next is the hard part. Its showing up to the next meeting afterwards, its showing your face afterwards, its looking the loved one in the eye afterwards.

Shame is designed to paralyze your purpose. It makes you believe that your failure is final. It makes you think that your mistake is your identity. It is Satan’s attempt to make you forfeit what God has freely forgiven.

See, guilt says, “I did something wrong.” But shame says, “I am something wrong.” And the devil knows — if he can get you stuck in shame, you’ll stop walking, you’ll stop witnessing, you’ll stop worshipping. You’ll quit the call on your life — not because you’re not forgiven — but because you feel unforgivable.

How can I come back from this? How can I bounce back from this?

And listen, it wasn’t private—it was public. In Jewish law, according to the Mishnah Yoma 8:9, if you sinned publicly, you had to repent publicly. You couldn’t just whisper, “My bad, Lord.” You had to restore your name in front of witnesses.

But look at Jesus—oh my goodness. Before Peter could even write out an apology... before he could make a public confession... Jesus sent a word that said: “Tell the disciples… and Peter.”

Somebody shout: Grace knows my name!

The Sound of Your Name in Grace

That little conjunction—“and”—that’s the difference between religion and relationship. Religion says, “You messed up, so you’re out.” Relationship says, “You messed up, but I still want you in.”

Religion demands penalty ("Make me a servant

Relationship throws a party ("Bring the best robe

Religion quotes commandments (v.5).

Relationship writes new beginnings in the dirt (v.6-11).

Religion isolates sinners ("All murmured" - v.7).

Relationship invades their shame ("Salvation has come" - v.9).

Religion mocks (v.39).

Relationship redeems with one confession (v.42-43).

Religion points fingers. Relationship opens arms. Religion keeps records. Relationship burns the book. Religion says ‘Pay.’ Relationship says ‘Paid.’ 

Gods grace always hijacks human failure.

We all know something about Gods grace, becuase its not an unfilmilar presence.

He said: “And Peter.” It’s like Jesus said, “Go tell everybody, but make sure Peter knows. I haven’t forgotten about him.”

but make sure peter knows, he still on program.

make sure peter knows, after you been restored part… is now.

Application

stop carrying that shame… God has not removed his hands,

You are not disqualified. You are not discarded. You are not done.

Jesus is calling you by name.

[Transition] But not only did He call him by name… Jesus also told him where to go.

II. The Site (Mark 16:7b)

The angel said: “He is going ahead of you into Galilee...”

Now I need y’all to catch this. Galilee wasn’t random. No, sir. It was intentional.

Galilee was the place where Peter first heard the words, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). It was the place where he walked on water (Matthew 14:29). It was the place of first calling, first miracles, first steps of faith.

Galilee was Peter’s beginning.

And God said, “I’m taking you back to the place where it all started.”

Galilee: The Place of Reset

In Hebrew, the word “Galil” means circle. That’s symbolic—because God is a God of completion. He brings you full circle. Back to where you heard His voice. Back to the purpose. Back to your “yes.”

Application

Your Galilee might be the dream you walked away from…

Maybe it’s the ministry you used to serve in… Maybe it’s the joy you once had… Maybe it’s the family you thought was too broken to fix…

Go to Galilee— get back on track / to reset / to be restored / to be reminded / to be renewed /

I know why you didnt shout , because we are used to people leaving us at the gravesite.

The Surprise of Second Chances -

Another chance is humbling be its because its surpising. Shocking.

Thats one of the things that part of gods planning that catches many off guard. Because God dont think how we think.

While we keep score, god dont. While we have a 3 strike rule, Heaven has a 70 x 7 rule.

While we see sinners, god see sons and daughters.

Liar, deiner, failure, harlot, is not what god see, that who god uses.

If Grace was fair then it wouldnt be grace.

When Peter heard his name. AND Peter. His eyes had to had gotten big, His heart started beating fast. ME???

In case your situation has turned upside down And all that you've accomplished, is now on the ground You don't have to stay in the shape that you're in The potter wants to put you back together again Oh, the potter wants to put you back together again… You who are broken, stop by the potter's house You who need mending, stop by the potter's house Give Him the fragments of your broken life My friend, the potter wants to put you back together again Oh, the potter wants to put you back together again

Failed and you still deliver new mercy

my mistakes and you still want me.

Peter expected punishment. But Jesus planned promotion.

Almost like you ready now. Now you can show grace when its needed. Now you show patience with those who struggle with unbelief.

That same Peter who cursed and denied Jesus in Luke 22... is the same Peter who stood up in Acts 2 and preached the first sermon of the New Testament church!

Somebody shout: What a comeback!

Illustration

Anybody here remember Michael Jordan coming back after baseball? They said he was done. But when he came back, all he said was “I’m back.” And not long after that, the man added three more rings to his collection.

That’s what God is saying over your life—“You’re back.”

anybody remember where it 1st started… where you first said yes, where you first felt the power of his holy spirit, … Take me back.. to the place where i 1st recevied you.

Andre Crouch -

Take me back, dear Lord To the place where I first received You Take me back Take me back, dear Lord, where I first believed

[Transition] But let me close with this final point…

III. The Savior Who Couldn’t Lose You (Mark 16:7c)

The verse ends with: “There you will see Him, just as He told you.”

Whew. That’s good news.

The Sovereignty of the Plan

You see, Jesus predicted Peter’s failure in Luke 22:34—but He also prearranged his restoration.

The word used in the Greek is “proagō”—which means to go before.

That means while Peter was crying, Jesus was preparing. While Peter was ashamed, Jesus was ahead of him in Galilee—getting the comeback ready!

The Security of the Promise

The angel said, “Just as He told you.”

In Jewish law, it took two or three witnesses to establish a word (Deut. 19:15). But Jesus needed no witnesses—because His Word is true all by itself.

If He said He’d meet you in Galilee—He’ll be there!

If He said you’re still called—you are!

If He said He has plans to prosper you—believe it!

The Shock of the Victory

That same Peter who failed became the rock on which Jesus built the church.

Listen to me, y’all:

"You’re not defined by what you did in the dark—you’re defined by what Christ did in the daylight of resurrection."

Your worst moment is not the end—it’s the setup. God doesn’t cancel callings. He completes them.

Application

Don’t live in regret when God is calling you forward. Your failure didn’t surprise Him. He planned your comeback before you even fell.

[Conclusion]

I don’t care what shame you’ve been carrying... I don’t care how far you’ve wandered...

Jesus planned your comeback. He called your name. He prepared your Galilee. He secured the victory.

Comeback stories are resurrection stories. And your story ain’t over.

Closing:

"A dead Messiah leaves Peter—and all of us—with unpaid debts and unkept promises!"

*"No empty tomb = no ‘and Peter’ in Mark 16:7. Just a nameless failure lost to history."*

"The resurrection wasn’t just Jesus’ victory—it was Peter’s only hope of restoration."

"If Friday was the end, Peter’s denials are the last word. But Sunday rewrote the story!"

Theological Anchor: Tie to 1 Corinthians 15:17 – "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." Peter’s story proves this: 

No resurrection = no redemption.

No resurrection = no justification

No resurrection = no reconciliation

No resurrection = no sanctification

No resurrection = no relationship

No resurrection = no peace with God

No rest in God

No Internal Life

BUt,

Its because he lives, i can face tommorow

Because he lives, all fear is gone,

Because he lives, my name is called,

Because he lives, hope is restored

Because he lives, my failures fuel my purpose

because he lives, joy of salvation can be restored.

Somebody say Thank you! Thank you for the plans.

His plan is fail-proof.

God never fails to fulfill His plan

Why do we doubt? Why do we fear? Why do we worry and wonder? The plans of God are 100% failure-proof. That’s a quality no one else can claim. Who can make that guarantee?

Your spouse will fail you.

Your pastors will fail you.

Your friends will fail you.

Your parents will fail you.

Your children will fail you.

Your boss will fail you.

Your employees will fail you.

Your government will fail you.

Your brothers and sisters here will fail you.

God will never fail you. There is no possibility, no chance, and no prospect of Him failing.

Though we cannot understand or comprehend all that our God has planned. Of this we can be certain: Because the plan of God is centered on

Jesus Christ, and I,

by faith, am united with Him,

then my past is forgiven,

my present is protected,

and my future is secure.

And He plan is keeping me

He plans on spending a great amount of grace and mercy on me

He plans on providing for me

Im so glad Im part of his plans.

His plans are yes and amen

He told me to remind you

That He knows the plans he has for you. “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

And now i know he planned on waking me up early this morning.

Because what god has for you, it is for you.

what god has setup for you. its for you

cant nothing stop it, can nothing block it.

The plans God has for you, will not fail.