JESUS, A SAVIOR FOR ALL THE “PETERS” OUT THERE!

WORD FROM THE CENTER: MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s reading is these portions of John 21:15–19, beginning with Jesus asking Simon Peter,    

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep….. 19… Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

  
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW – CHRIST’S “SPIRITUAL FIRST RESPONDERS!”

What an amazing event in our lesson for today. Jesus “reinstates” Peter. As one who is in the public ministry of Jesus Christ, I’ve had moments when I’ve felt just like Peter. You see, Peter was one who declared many times to Jesus that he could be “counted on” (for example, see Matthew 26:23-25). He insisted that when the going got tough for those who followed Christ, Jesus could not only count on him, but that he would even be Christ’s protector when it mattered most. If you’ve read the Gospel accounts, you know the real story is that Peter let Jesus down many times and, when Jesus needed him most, he denied Jesus, even cursed His name to those who asked him about Christ (see John 18:15-18, 25-27). Peter’s guilt and sadness must have been enormous (see Matthew 26:75). That’s why this event by the shore of the Sea of Galilee one morning is so wonderful for Peter, and for you and me.

Jesus goes out of his way to “reinstate” Peter as one of His disciples. He does it in a way that mirrors Peter’s greatest shame, making the point that for every sin, for every shame, Jesus has made forgiveness and mercy possible beyond our wildest dreams. That’s beyond amazing. And, not only that, Jesus gently applies that “balm of good news” to the tattered soul of Peter right when it mattered most.

That’s the kind of Savior that Peter had. That’s the kind of Savior that you have in Christ too. I don’t know where you are in your walk with God today. Maybe you are one of those who feels that the things of God aren’t for people like you. Maybe you’ve got real guilt and shame in your life, and you know that you aren’t deserving of other people’s love, let alone God’s. That’s how Peter must have felt that morning on the shore. He was sure that he would receive the rebuke he deserved.

But what did he find instead? He found God’s mercy anew and it transformed his life from that day forward. That’s what’s available for you today too. Peter’s struggles might be like yours. His guilt and shame might be like yours. But Peter’s Savior is also yours! May God bless you and open your heart to that offer. Please know that you and I may disappoint Jesus in so many ways. But the good news of the Gospel is that He never disappoints us so that we can trust in Him for all things.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I, like Peter, have weaknesses and sins. Please give me and all who are praying this prayer the kind of faith that Peter had as well, so that we trust in You for all things. AMEN

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Jesus vs. Caesar