Peter's Restoration

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There was an article this week in the dallas morning news, an opinion piece by Thomas Kidd, one of a group of great evangelical historians we have, about how Christianity is the greatest engine of moral reform and cultural riches the world has known. He doesn’t mean 200 years ago, he means now. Let me read you some of the article....

If this is true and I believe it is, then this only reinforces the need not just for Christian organizations or the church on a mass scale but for every believer and local body to exemplify the values and teachings of the gospel in their day to day lives. We see these things and we believe they only occur from massive efforts as opposed to individuals ones. That is simply not true. This things happen because of what the Gospel means and the people who practice it. I use the word practice not just speak it. We must practice the values and tenants of the Gospel or are message has no credibility. And we find the practice of it exemplified in our Lord Jesus. I want to relate an event after the resurrection that will be our example to resolve to live out the Gospel in our day to day interactions.

Text:

English Standard Version Chapter 21

Jesus and Peter

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Outline:

The context of restoration...

Have you ever done something monumentally difficult - whether it be just a major task, something emotional, something super awkward or humbling. “Why, yes I did Joe, it was just a few days ago.” On a side note: that’s probably another discussion we need to have about how we celebrate christmas…but anyway, what do you do immediately afterwards. When we do the sweetheart banquet it is one of the longest, hardest days for me because I know I am getting up early and I won’t stop again until about 10:30 to 11 that night. What happens during all those hours, even I’m not sure but the point is I’m exhausted by the time it is done. The sensible thing is to get home and get to bed as soon as possible because church is coming the next morning; but I can’t. I have to revel a little bit in a task done. I need food and something thoroughly entertaining in front of me to wind down and indulge in the reality that the task is over with. I need to feel the sense of relief. What I don’t want to do, above all else, is immediately move on to the next thing....I am spent, I want indulgence.

When we consider the circumstances of Jesus’ and Peter’s encounter we have to keep in mind that Jesus’ has just finished a task. Jesus’ has finished THE TASK!!! The task to end all tasks. And then he ascends, in fact it is necessary for him to leave because now he stands as the perpetual advocate of those who have come to know him even as he prepares a place for us.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

Christ Our Advocate

2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Between these two great tasks, the redemption of our sins and our mediation before God the Father, Jesus pauses. He has some things he needs to do that our important to him. We know Jesus is setting up his disciples for the future but how he does, what he takes time to do seems kind of incredible in light of everything that has happened. He stops and he takes time to make Peter right again. How does that conversation start...”Peter, between redeeming all of mankind and reforming the universe as we know it, I feel like we need heart to heart.” Jesus takes the time to make Pete whole again.

Resolution #1 for the New Year: To evaluate that what I believe is important, is really important in light of the Gospel’s priorities.

The need for restoration...

Peter, poor Peter. Jesus is both direct and caring at the same time. Peter, who more fervently than anyone declared that he would follow Jesus, that he would never betray Jesus; that among all the disciples there was no one more loyal - is now asked by Jesus - do you love me more than these.

English Standard Version Chapter 26

33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”

Image - “I would die for Riley”

I wonder if Peter took some time to think about it this time. Licked his lips nervously as he formed his answer or did he jump in as normal. You know he had to be thinking about it, the horrible night he had rejected Jesus three times only to see his beloved Savior looking right at him at the sounding of the crow. Do you love me more than these other disciples, Peter? You going to keep with that story after what happened?

Peter does not answer the charge of comparison but acknowledges that he indeed loves his lord but makes no presumption that he loves him more than the other disciples.

Have you ever been in the position of needing restoration? Have you ever sought forgiveness for something beyond the normal infraction? You find yourself ready to be at the complete mercy of the person you are speaking to, just ready for any relief from the wrong you committed. It is one of those rare moments when humility find’s us.

Story: Seeking forgiveness from PG about my lie.

Resolution #2 for the New Year - I resolve to examine my heart to see if I need to seek forgiveness and I will pray for others that they would see their own need to be made whole.

The generosity of restoration...

We just finished considering times when we had to face the music. What about the other side of the fence, when we’ve had to offer forgiveness. Yes, even for the most heinous of actions. How did we do? Not going to pretend it is easy, I know from personal experience...

Dad’s story of forgiveness...

At the center of this action is the heart of the Gospel. It’s hard to say we understand what Jesus has done and offered to us without being able to make any application to our own life. Perhaps that’s why Jesus warns in the Lord’s Prayer that those incapable of forgiving will not receive forgiveness from the Father, is it because the implication that those who forgive are unable to receive forgiveness? How can you embrace the generosity of God without understanding the need for generosity itself.

Jesus is generous to Peter. We already mentioned the extraordinary timing of this meeting, that in the midst of earth-shattering events Jesus takes time for Peter who needs him. But beyond that look back at the text.

We have already pointed out the reference here to Peter’s betrayal. Unlikely that Peter kept that a secret, the other disciples know. What conflict arose among the twelve because of Peter’s actions? Did he get called out for it? What was his current status? Once a leader in the group, now what?

Jesus restores him in front of the others. He specifically calls Peter out in front of the others, even refers to them and three times he offers Peter the chance to reaffirm his love and devotion to him. Jesus doesn’t just come and say - “Oh, I forgive you Peter, don’t worry about, it’s okay.” He knows its not okay. He knows he needs to be restored. When seek to restore someone, do we do it with generosity? Do we seek to make them whole again. We were just talking about this idea in my Sunday School - shalom - peace. It means to make whole. When we forgive, restore - do we seek to make things right again, bring peace, make someone whole. There is such a thing as forgiving well. Not to allow anything to linger. Or are we inclined to give a grudging ok, were good. Were cool. The nature of the transgression may allow for that but when someone is truly broken over something a “were cool” isn’t going to make someone whole again. Jesus does this for Peter, he is not only forgiven, he is generous about it. Gracious.

Resolution #3 for the New Year - I resolve to be generous in my forgiveness towards others. I will seek to make peace with them, to restore them and make them whole. To forgive like the good news of Jesus forgave me.

The purpose of restoration...

As we mentioned above, Jesus forgave in front of the rest of the disciples. He didn’t just try to make Peter whole, he made the twelve whole again. We don’t have to capitulate to Roman Catholic doctrine to know that Peter was the leader among the 12 and that Jesus had groomed him for this task. The other disciples needed to see Peter restored by Jesus and so Jesus made sure that happened. In , we saw Peter given the keys of the kingdom by Jesus. What was that about? It was about authority, so that he and the 12 could build the church of Christ, to lead others to be disciples of Jesus.

see matthew - keys of the kingdom

English Standard Version Chapter 16

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Later on in the Holy Spirit descends on Pentecost. People are wondering what is happening. And who stands up? Peter does and he preaches the Gospel. Thousands do what Peter and the twelve did years ago, they follow Jesus. Peter has finally become a fisher of men and the church is born.

We know that God’s will cannot be frustrated, the church would be born no matter what. But we know that a less than whole Peter would not be leading that charge unless Jesus took time for a heart to heart on the beach somewhere between his death, resurrection and glory.

There have been people, there will be people, there are people right now who needs us to restore them. To show a generous forgiveness. They need to be made whole and who is to say what God will use them for. Maybe we won’t hinder the will of God but maybe we won’t be the participants in it we could have been either if we knew how to forgive the way we have been forgiven.

Resolution #4 for the New Year - I resolve to be generous, gracious and forgiving, that I may not hinder my brother and sister in Christ; that THEY may be used in a mighty way for God.