Second Chances

May 31

2 Samuel 7-9

Psalm 68:1-6

Proverbs 14:31-32

John 21

Second Chances

“Therefore, the disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’  When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around him and plunged into the sea.”  John 21:7 HCSB

After Jesus’ death, the disciples didn’t know what to do.  Their plans and dreams had been destroyed and they were devastated.  Peter and several of the disciples did the only thing they knew.  They returned to fishing.  After an unsuccessful night out on their boat, they were coming back to shore when they saw a man standing on the beach.  He told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat and they hauled in such a large catch they could barely get it into the boat.  It is interesting to note that the first time they met Jesus was after a night of fishing without catching anything.  They left everything and followed Him the first time and that was His plan for them this time as well.  John recognized Jesus and told Peter it was the Lord.  Impulsively, Peter plunged into the sea and ran to Jesus while the other disciples took the boat to shore. 

This is the classic story of second chances.  Jesus had prepared breakfast for them and when they finished Jesus approached Peter.  Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him and three times Peter said, “You know that I love You.”  Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night He died.  Jesus gave him an opportunity to proclaim his love for Him three times.  Jesus knew that Peter was racked with guilt.   Peter needed to know he was forgiven and that there was a way forward.  Thankfully, our God is the God of second chances.  He is always willing to forgive us and welcome us back if we repent and turn to Him.  As long as we are breathing, hope is not lost.   If we turn to Him, He is always there and He can turn everything around in the blink of an eye. 

When Peter told Jesus he loved Him, Jesus responded, “Feed My lambs,” “Shepherd My sheep,” and “Feed My sheep.”  Feeding sheep was not a glamorous job, it was messy business.  Jesus was telling Peter that the best expression of love and gratitude to Him is through serving others.  The way to reach a lost and dying world is not through religious rituals or man-made rules and regulations, but it is through sacrificial service and obedience.