MESSY GRACE
Susan Murray
Today’s Scripture: “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’” Luke 5:8, ESV
Theme: Tell me lies like: “I have made too many mistakes and I haven’t overcome my shortcomings yet.”
IDENTITY CRISIS
Here is Peter, the fisherman minding his own business, cleaning his nets after a long, unproductive night of fishing. As he is doing his job, he hears Jesus’s voice as He is teaching along the shore of Lake Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee). Jesus had just started His ministry of teaching and healing the people who were flocking to Him. As the crowd pushed in close, Jesus asked Peter to take Him a little way out in his boat so everyone could hear what He was saying.
Jesus’ words must have made an impression on Peter because he obeyed Jesus’ instructions to go fishing again, even while expressing doubt because of the previous night’s failure to catch any fish. The result was a miraculous number of fish being caught, resulting in Peter’s seemingly odd response. You would think he would be just over the top happy, dancing around, and hugging Jesus, expressing thanks. Yet that’s not what happened here. Peter looked past the blessing to the Blesser.
Instead of hugging and thanking Jesus, Peter realized he was in the presence of the Lord. Jesus revealed His deity to Peter and the only appropriate response was humbly falling on his knees. Being made aware of Jesus as Lord made Peter aware of his sinfulness. His shame and conviction were unbearable, so he asked Jesus to go away. Peter knew he was not worthy to be in Jesus’ presence. He was fearful because, as a good Israelite, he knew that God’s Presence was hidden behind the veil in the Temple’s Holy of Holies. Not just anyone could go into the presence of God. He may have felt his very life was at stake.
NEW IDENTITY
Peter did not die in the presence of the Lord nor did Jesus leave him. Jesus told him not to be fearful, then gave Peter a new identity and purpose - fisherman of people. Peter’s sinfulness did not disqualify him to follow Jesus. In fact, Peter’s response is an example for us of an appropriate response when we first experience the greatness of Jesus and see Him for who He really is. Yet that is only the beginning. Peter followed Jesus on this earth for three years, learning more and more about Jesus and himself.
ONGOING NEED
Peter is one of my favorite people in the Bible. He messes up over and over. He is passionate, impulsive, and fearful. He believes and he doubts. He misunderstands and he understands who Jesus is and what he is about. He is a mess. I can identify.
His most well-known failure is when he denied being Jesus’ disciple three times the night before the crucifixion. Jesus knew and even warned him, but Peter in his arrogant, self-confidence swore he never abandon Jesus even if all the other disciples did. He thought he loved Jesus more than the other disciples. Yet he did deny Jesus. Realizing Jesus' words had come true caused Peter to grieve. He wept over his failure. Still, this is not the end of Peter. This is God’s love for Peter preparing him. God’s plan is not thwarted.
It’s interesting that we would have never known about Peter’s denial if he had not confessed it to the others. What encouragement!! Peter knew he was a sinner the moment he met Jesus, but maybe Peter thought he could fix himself by following and depending on his own love for Jesus. He needed a deeper understanding of the depth of his sinfulness.
RESTORED
After the resurrection, the disciples saw Jesus on multiple occasions. In John, Chapter 21, Peter and some of the others had returned to fishing. They didn’t recognize Jesus when He called out to them from shore, inquiring of their catch. There was none, so Jesus instructed them to toss the nets out on the other side of the boat. The nets came back in full of fish. Again, the number of fish caught was miraculous and Jesus was recognized.
This time, instead of wanting to hide from Jesus, Peter jumps into the water, abandoning the others in his haste to get to Jesus. What a change! Peter now was confident in Jesus' love for him. Peter knew he was a mess and that he needed Jesus. Jesus came to give grace --No need to hide.
Jesus then asked Peter if he loved Him “more than these” indicating the other disciples. Peter said, “Yes, You know that I love You” without any comparison to the others. He asked Peter a second and third time if he loved Him and each time Peter said, "Yes.” Each time, Jesus instructed Peter to either care for or feed his sheep - the coming church. Peter was fully restored to fulfill the purpose God had called him: he became the first leader of the New Testament Church. His failure did not disqualify him.
Make It Personal: In what ways are you a mess like Peter? Are you boastful, arrogant, fearful, impulsive, and/or comparative? What are you most confident of: Your love for Jesus or His love for you? Are you trying hard to do things right, feeling that if you mess up, Jesus can’t use you for His kingdom? I’ve got Good News. Jesus has a plan for you that cannot be thwarted. It may take a route you don’t expect to first humble you so that you see your need of continuous grace. God’s grace goes to those who know they are a mess and admit it. You only need to confess your need daily and run to Jesus.
Pray: Dear Father, Maker of all that is in heaven and earth, I am a mess, just like Peter. I love You, yet I try to live by my own self-confidence. I forget that without You, I can do nothing. I admit my failures to obey You, as well as the sins of pride and self-sufficiency. I deserve to be cast out, yet Father, You cast Jesus out while He hung on the cross so I could come into Your presence. You give me Your love and You lift me up, giving me gifts to serve others. Your grace-filled sacrifice on the cross covers all my failures and YOUR plans are never thwarted. Your love is trustworthy. Amen.
Read: Philippians 1:6; Psalm 90:14-17; Ephesians 2:10; 1 John 4:16; John 15:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, ESV