Restored by Grace: Peter’s Redemption
In the book of Luke chapter 22 and verses 54–62 (NKJV) we read the story of denial, betrayal, regret, shame, disappointment - when one of the disciples, Peter, refused to acknowledge the Messiah Jesus.
“Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”
Then in the book of John 21:17 (ESV), we find one of the most tender and powerful moments in the Gospels.
Jesus turns to Peter, the same disciple who had denied Him three times, and asks for the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
The Bible says Peter was grieved, not just because of the repetition, but because it cut deep. He came face to face with reality. He had failed Jesus, big time, by distancing himself from the One he once boldly declared he would never leave.
I believe that one of the greatest lessons we can learn from this is that failure is not final. Hallelujah. In spite of the seriousness of what Peter did, he was brought face to face with grace.
Some of us need to give people grace. When you’ve been affected by a particular situation, you may understand that better.
In human terms, this kind of betrayal should have disqualified Peter. And some of us, we can identify.
Yet, Jesus, the risen Saviour, didn’t avoid Peter after the resurrection. He pursued him. Not to rebuke, but to restore.
I pray that all of us would be more like Jesus…
right here. This is real life application…right here.
What we see here, Family, is the heart of the Gospel - the Good News of Jesus Christ. Not because Peter made a grave mistake, in spite of the fact that Peter failed Jesus, Jesus did not cancel him. Jesus didn’t give up on Peter. Jesus didn’t block and delete him. Jesus didn’t run to tell everybody what a terrible person Peter was for doing what he did.
Peter’s failure didn’t cancel his future. In fact, Jesus used this moment to draw Peter closer. I wonder how many teachable moments we disregard and instead use the moment to chastise someone and make them feel like they’re the worst person on earth?!
So here is Jesus asking the man who denied knowing Him three times at a time when it really mattered: “Do you love me?” Jesus was peeling back the layers of guilt and shame, not to condemn Peter, but to remind him: love is still possible, relationship is still available, purpose is still alive.
So the resurrection didn’t just bring Jesus back from the grave, it brought Peter back from despair.
That Family, is the power of grace.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
I am sure we can all remember more than one incident where we sinned against God or against a family member, friend, church brother or sister, and even though we did not repent, we were forgiven. We didn’t expect to be, because of the seriousness of the wrong, but they forgave us anyway, and without hesitation.
Here’s another lesson: Jesus didn’t just forgive Peter. He recommissioned him. “Feed my sheep,” He said. In other words, “I still trust you. I still believe in you. I still have a mission for you.”
Note well Christian people - Jesus didn’t say to Peter: Well, I gave you a chance Peter and you failed, so I can’t give you that opportunity again. Once bitten twice shy. I can’t look like any more of a fool to these people. Jesus didn’t think about what anyone would say. He was about ministering to Peter and leaving an example for us to follow.
Now some of us, if we really want to be like Jesus, would do well to take special note of this and the scripture in 1 John 2:6 (ESV) (Though spoken by John, it reflects Jesus’ call) “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
Family, the personal power of the resurrection enters our stories right at the point of our deepest regret and rewrites the ending.
We often think resurrection is about the big, cosmic victory over death. Indeed, it is. But it’s also deeply personal.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:12-22 that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain. But because He has been raised, we have hope, not just for eternity, but for today.
Resurrection power reaches into our everyday lives and gives us strength to get up again. It’s not just a past event, it’s a present reality.
Maybe like me there are some situations in your life where you have been burnt by people and you say this is never going to happen to me again, but it does. Don’t be bitter, smile, forgive, restore if possible, and allow Jesus’ resurrection story to live on in you.
Romans 6:4 (ESV) speaks to this truth: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life.”
That’s beautifully written, but it’s not just poetic language, it’s a promise. Because Jesus lives, we live differently. We rise daily into a new way of being, no longer slaves to shame or bound by past mistakes.
Peter’s story, Family, is proof that no failure is final in the hands of a risen Saviour. Glory to God.
We have all had our own moments of denial—times when fear spoke louder than faith, when we walked away from what we knew was right, when we disappointed ourselves or others. And maybe we are still wondering if we are still usable, still redeemable, is it worth it trying again.
Hear this Family: Jesus is not done with you. He is not done with me either. Just like He did with Peter, He comes to us not with condemnation, but with restoration.
He is asking, “Do you love me?” Not because He doesn’t know our hearts, but because He wants to restore our place.
What is your answer today? If we answer, “Lord, You know I love You,” He will respond, “Then keep walking in your purpose. Feed my sheep. There is still work for you to do.”
As we are still in the Easter season, may this time remind us that our worst moment is not our last word. Grace rewrites the ending. Jesus didn’t just conquer death, He conquered despair, guilt, fear, rejection, abandonment, and disqualification. He gives us unshakable hope and daily power to live again, try again, and serve again.
So today, let Peter’s redemption encourage us all.
Let it remind us that the risen Christ not only saves us, but restores us.
Whatever your story has been up to this point, the resurrection means it’s not over. Grace is still working. Purpose is still calling. And Jesus is still asking, “Do you love me?” Say yes—and follow Him forward.
aub - 23Apr25
https://www.youtube.com/live/McpsDJXTuNg?si=ai8NoPAG_bb8l4ys
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