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Restored! Peter's Renewal

John 21

Satan targeted several individuals in Scripture (that we know of): Job (Job 1-2), David (1 Chronicles 21:1), and the apostle Peter: "Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Luke 22:31). Perhaps Peter was a target because Jesus said He would build His Church on Peter and give him the "keys of the kingdom" (Matthew 16:17-19). Perhaps Satan saw an opportunity to work on Peter's pride. Jesus obviously recognized Satan's inspiration when Peter tried to talk Jesus out of going to Jerusalem to face death ("Get behind Me, Satan!"—Matthew 16:23). Peter's ultimate failure came when he denied knowing Jesus three different times on the night of Jesus' arrest (John 18:15-27). Perhaps it was only Jesus' prayer for Peter that prevented an even worse scenario developing for the impulsive disciple. Jesus knew that Peter would fail, yet would return to Him (Luke 22:32).

Peter was heartbroken and ashamed of his failure to stand with Jesus—he wept bitterly (Luke 22:62). Even after receiving the good news that Jesus had been raised from the dead, Peter seems to have felt His days as a disciple were over. He and some other disciples returned to Galilee to take up fishing (John 21:1-3). Jesus pursued them there and had a powerful reunion with Peter and the others. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, after a breakfast He provided, Jesus re-commissioned Peter in His service.

As Peter had denied Jesus three times, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times. When Peter answered three times that he did, Jesus gave him a lifelong task: "Feed My lambs. . . . Tend My sheep. . . . Feed My sheep" (John 21:15-17). This was an affirmation of the previous statement that Jesus would build His Church. It was also a reminder to Peter that God is a God of grace—and multiple chances even when we fail.

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