Failure is Not Final with God

Restored and commissioned

Good Evening. Sunday we looks at the story of Thomas whom most people think of as Doubting Thomas because he wrestled with doubt, and even with that, Jesus met him with patience and grace. Let me remind you of what I said Sunday. Jesus does not condemn nor does he turn away anyone who honestly struggles. Instead, He invites us to come closer, to see the evidence of His love, and to trust him.

Tonight, we will look at another appearance and a different disciple who had his own crisis. Peter’s crisis was not doubt, but failure. Peter was one of Jesus closest followers who made a lot of bold promises before Jesus was arrested. But on the night of Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied Jesus, not once, but three times.

Can you imagine how Peter must have felt? After all the miracles he had witnessed, after walking on water, and after declaring Jesus was the Messiah… in the moment of crisis, Peter failed miserably.

Maybe you know that feeling. Maybe there have been moments in your life where you have fallen short… where fear and shame, or regret have made you wonder if God could still use you. Maybe you have asked yourself, Is my failure to much for God’s grace?

The good news is that Jesus doesn’t leave us in our failures. In this story, we will see how Jesus goes after Peter, not to condemn him, but to restore him. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, in the very place where Peter first followed him, Jesus extends an invitation to him once again.

Follow Me!

This is a story of grace that redeems, love that restores, and purpose that remains… even after failure.

So if you have ever wondered if God still has a place for you… if you have ever felt unworthy of His calling, this passage is for you. Because Jesus is not finished with you yet.

Let’s look at John 21 and see what happens when the risen Jesus meets Peter in his moment of shame, and restores him to a life of love and purpose.

John 21:1–19 NLT

1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. 4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. 6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. 7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. 12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. 15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. 18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Let’s look at some things to learn today from this…

1. When we are stressed, we return to the Familiar.

After the resurrection, the disciples found themselves at a crossroads. Jesus had just appeared to them, proving that he was alive, but now what? They had spent three years following Him, watching Him perform miracles, listening to His teachings, and believing He would establish God’s kingdom. But now, things are different. They didn’t yet understand what came next.

Peter was the natural leader of the group and he made a decision in John 21:3

John 21:3 NLT

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

This was not a casual fishing trip, it was a return to the familiar. Peter was a fisherman before he became a disciple. (Luke 5:1-11) Now, after the disappointment of his failure and denial of Jesus, and the uncertainty of what would happen next, he went back to the life he knew before Jesus. He went back to fishing.

This moment in the life of Peter shows the human tendency that when we feel lost, or we are unsure of our purpose, or when we feel like we have failed, we often retreat to what is familiar. We go back to old habits, old ways of thinking, and sometimes even back to places we left behind.

Testimony of how this tendency has played out in my life.

Have you ever felt like a failure and wanted to go back to what was safe and comfortable? I have. When I was building YFC, I often thought of the security of the hospital job I left to do ministry. This is where Peter was. He probably thought, “I blew it, I denied Jesus… Maybe I’m not cut out to be a disciple after all.

But in this moment of uncertainty, Jesus met him in a powerful way. And this is an important truth for us to learn.

Jesus does not wait for us to get everything figured out, He comes to us even when we retreat to the familiar.

2. Jesus Provides for us and Reveals Himself to us.

As our story progresses we learn; The disciples had spent the entire night fishing but caught nothing. For experienced fishermen, this would have been discouraging and frustrating. They had returned to what they knew best, yet even in their own expertise, they came up empty. This next moment of failure set the stage for Jesus to reveal His power and presence.

As the sun began to rise, a voice called out from the shore.

John 21:5 NLT

5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.

The question wasn’t for Jesus knowledge… He knew they hadn’t caught any fish. Instead, He was inviting them to acknowledge their need. They responded simply and said NO. Then came some instruction from Jesus.

John 21:6 NLT

6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

I am sure this seem unusual to them. After all they had fished all night and not caught anything. I am sure they thought, “what difference would casting the net on the other side of the boat make.” But they did it and immediately their net was filled with so many fish that they could not pull the net in.

At that moment, John’s eyes were opened. John 21:7

John 21:7 NLT

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

He recognized what was happening, because this was not the first time Jesus had done something like this. It mirrored a similar miracle from the beginning of their journey (Luke 5:4-7), when Jesus had called Peter, James, and John to follow Him. This was no coincidence—this was Jesus, revealing Himself through an act of provision.

Peter’s reaction was immediate and passionate. The moment he realized it was Jesus, he couldn’t contain himself. He threw on his outer garment and jumped into the water to get to Jesus as fast as possible.

John 21:7 NLT

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

For Peter, this wasn’t just about a miraculous catch—it was about the One who had called him, the One he had denied, and the One who was now standing on the shore, waiting for him.

When the rest of the disciples reached the shore, they found Jesus had already prepared a meal for them—fish and bread cooked over a fire (John 21:9-13). What a beautiful picture of Christ’s love:

He wasn’t just providing for their physical needs; He was welcoming them back into a relationship with Him.

Even before Peter could say a word, Jesus had already invited him to sit and eat.

Just as Jesus met Peter and the disciples in their ordinary routine, He meets us in our everyday lives. He calls to us, provides for us, and reveals Himself in ways we may not expect. 

The question is—will we recognize Him when He calls?  And maybe a further question… Will we be able to humble ourselves and receive the Father’s healing and love?

3. Jesus Restores Peter.

After breakfast, Jesus turned His attention to Peter. And in doing so, we bear witness to one of the most intentional and restorative conversations to have occurred in all of the bible.

John 21:15 NLT

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus addressed Peter by his full name, just as He had when first calling him to follow (John 1:42). This wasn’t just about Peter’s affection; it was about his commitment.

Some scholars believe that "more than these" refers to the other disciples, asking Peter if his love for Jesus surpassed theirs.

Others think Jesus was referring to the fishing boats and nets—the life Peter had once known.

Either way, Jesus was challenging Peter to examine the depth of his devotion.

Three times, Jesus asked: "Do you love Me?" Three times, Peter responded: "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You." Three times, Jesus commanded: "Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My sheep."

Why three times? Because three times Peter had denied Jesus (John 18:15-27). This was not a coincidence—it was grace in action. With each question, Jesus was undoing Peter’s failure and reaffirming his calling. Peter’s denial had been public, and now, so was his restoration.

At first, Peter answered confidently. But by the third time, Scripture says he was "grieved" (John 21:17). Perhaps he felt the weight of his past mistake. Yet, Jesus was not trying to shame him—He was bringing him to a place of healing. Peter’s love was real, but Jesus wanted him to see that in his love there was also a deeper calling. 

Each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus gave him a commission.

"Feed My lambs" (John 21:15) – Care for the young and vulnerable in faith.

"Take care of My sheep" (John 21:16) – Guide and protect the flock, providing leadership and direction.

"Feed My sheep" (John 21:17) – Continue to nurture, teach, and lead God’s people.

Jesus was making it clear—Peter’s story was not over. His failure did not define him; his calling did.

Here is what this means for us.

Peter’s restoration reminds us of three key truths:

1. Jesus does not give up on us.

Even when we fall short, He calls us back. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

2. Love for Jesus leads to action.

If we love Him, we are called to serve others. (1 John 3:18)

3. God uses our failures for His glory. 

Peter went on to become a pillar of the early church, not in spite of his past but because of God’s redemption in it. (Acts 2:14-41)

Have you ever felt like you’ve messed up too badly for God to use you? Peter must have felt that way. But Jesus is in the business of restoration. He does not define us by our worst moments—He calls us forward in love.

Conclusion

After restoring Peter, Jesus gave him a glimpse of his future. It would not be easy—Peter would one day give his life for the gospel. But Jesus’ final words to him were simple and powerful: "Follow Me."

Peter’s story is our story. We have all failed in some way. We have all doubted, stumbled, or turned away. But Jesus does not cast us aside. He restores us. And He calls us to serve Him, not out of duty, but out of love.

Our failures do not disqualify us from God’s mission. Instead, Jesus meets us where we are, transforms our brokenness with His grace, and calls us forward in love.

Today’s passage reminds us that Jesus does not need perfect people to build His kingdom—He calls those who are willing to follow Him, even after failure. He calls those who will say, "Yes, Lord, You know that I love You," and then go and feed His sheep.

And this commission wasn’t just for Peter—it’s for all of us. Each of us has been restored by the grace of Jesus, not just for our own sake, but so that we can be a part of His greater purpose. Peter’s calling is our calling—to love Jesus and to show that love by caring for others, by sharing the gospel, by being His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs Him.

And Jesus’ final words to Peter? They are the same words He spoke to him at the very beginning: "Follow Me."

This is the call that continues today.

Jesus meets us, restores us, and calls us to follow Him.

But what does following Him look like?

Next Wednesday, we’ll look at Jesus' final instructions before He ascends to heaven—what we know as the Great Commission. Because being restored by Jesus is just the beginning. We are called to go, to make disciples, and to share His love with the world.

So the question we must ask ourselves is this: How will we respond? Will we go back to what is familiar, or will we step into the purpose Jesus has given us?