What Does Redemption Look Like?
“But he said to Him, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.’ Then He said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.’” (Luke 22:33–34 NKJV)
In the courtyard outside I had gone to warm my hands and watch what was happening to Jesus. The people there had a bloodthirsty look in their eyes. After seeing their hatred and abuse, it was clear they intended to kill Him. I had already fended off two accusations, so I felt frantic as they pressed me again about my relationship with Him.
Man, I do not know what you are saying! (Luke 22:60)
Just as I said, those words, I heard a rooster crowing in the distance. I looked at Jesus and He was staring right back. My stomach turned to knots. I remembered His words—that I would deny Him three times before the rooster crows. I no longer needed the fire for warmth; my body heated up. I had done the opposite of what I promised Him. He knew I would. I was filled with shame. I was a failure. I had betrayed the Christ of God and there was nothing I could do to undo it. I ran out of there weeping …bitterly weeping.
Every time I tried to be strong I failed Jesus. When they had come for Him, I cut the ear off a servant, but Jesus told me to put the sword away and He put the man’s ear back on good as new. I didn’t wash people's feet for the Passover meal like I was supposed to; Jesus did it instead. I couldn’t even stay awake in the garden while He prayed like He asked me to. I was surely going to that hell fire He had talked about.
I was lost. But …
On the beach after our bread-and-fish breakfast, Jesus looked at me with an inquisitive expression. He asked me, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15)
He had called me by my given name and my father’s name. He didn’t call me the Rock (Peter), He called me the obedient one (Simon). He knows all things. Did He not know that I loved him?
“Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
“Feed My lambs.”
He asked me again if I loved Him and again I assured Him I did. He then told me to tend to His sheep.
Then He asked me a third time if I loved him. Why was He still asking? Did He not believe me? Was I not being honest? Why did Jesus need to ask me a third time? It grieved me that my previous responses were insufficient to Him, so I laid it all out.cc
“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You” (John 21:17 ). Again, he told me to feed his sheep.
Only later did I realize that He asked me three times because I had denied Him three times. He had fully and lovingly forgiven me. He gave me a very important task to serve the Jews and guide them in love and truth.
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Jesus is always ready to accept us even when we blow it. The enemy will try to use it to shame us and let us think we are insufficient for the task God has given us. But Jesus says if we love Him, we can do whatever He has tasked us with.
Like Peter, we may not feel deserving, but God values us so much that Jesus willingly died a torturous death for us. Jesus wants to redeem you if you will put your trust and faith in Him. When Peter got out of the boat and walked on water he didn’t sink until he moved his eyes off Jesus and on the troubles around him. We are less likely to fall when we keep our eyes on Him. He is always willing to redeem us and help us get back on our feet again. Always turn back to Him when you stumble and continue the fight to do what’s right from now on.
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.