The Lord’s Message:  Resurrection:  From Failure to Follower

The Lord’s Message:  Resurrection:  From Failure to Follower
Date:  April 26, 2026
Where:  Tilghman Methodist Church
Scripture Reference:  John 21: 1-19

            The Lord’s Message for today is for everyone who has ever committed a sin and felt shame and regret.  Maybe you have committed a sin that is so egregious that you do not think that God could ever use you.  The Lord’s Message today is also for everyone that has looked down on another because of the sin which they have committed. 

            Let us pray.

            Last week, we looked at Jesus’ disciple, Thomas.  Most people know Thomas by the nickname that has been attributed to him of “doubting.”  Thomas doubted that Jesus was resurrected from the grave.  After all, has any one here seen a person that has been in the grave for three days and is now alive?  Thomas did not doubt in the resurrection, he asked to see the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side before he would believe.  He doubted whether Jesus was the one who had been resurrected.  When he saw the resurrected Jesus, his doubt turned to faith.  He cried out, “My Lord and My God.”

            This Sunday, we are looking at another disciple of Jesus who has been given a nickname of “denial,” and that is Peter.  There are five instances where Peter failed recorded in the scripture.  The first is found in Matthew 14:28-31.  When Peter is walking on the water, and he takes his eyes off Jesus and starts to sink.  His faith falters and he cries out to Jesus to save him.  Jesus does.  His failure is little faith.  The second is found in Matthew 16:21-23.  After Peter makes this bold declaration to Jesus’ question of “Who do you say I am?”  Peter responds with “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Peter then rebukes Jesus when Jesus tells the disciples that He is going to Jerusalem and will face trial by the high priest and the elders.  He will be convicted and turned over to the Romans and be crucified.  He will die and be placed in the grave.  Three days later, He will rise from the grave.  Peter’s failure is understanding the cross and God’s plan of salvation.  The third is found in Matthew 26:36-46.  Peter cannot stay awake while his friend Jesus’ soul is in agony of what is about to take place.  Peter fails to watch and pray with Jesus.  The fourth is found in Mark 14: 43-50.  All the disciples fled and deserted Jesus when Jesus was arrested.  Even though just hours earlier in the comfort of the Upper Room, Peter made this bold statement in Mark 14:29.  Peter failed to recognize his own weakness.  The fifth one, the one that is most remembered, is when Peter denies knowing Jesus three times before the cock crows twice.  This is found in Mark 14: 66-72. 

            Would you want to be around a person that constantly makes mistakes?  Can you trust that person?  Can others trust that person?  Would God be able to use that person?

            I suspect that these were the thoughts that Peter had in his mind every time he saw Jesus.  Peter is supposed to be the leader of Jesus’ disciples.  Jesus knows that He is returning to God and His disciples are going to need a leader to carry on the mission of spreading the Gospel.  There is a problem, Peter has lost his faith.  How is Jesus going to restore Peter’s faith?

            God takes Peter and us back physically, or mentally, and definitely spiritually, to the place where we first put our trust in God.  It can be a church’s altar.  It can be walk in the woods.  It can be anywhere. For Peter that is fishing.  Look at John 21:3.   From our eyes, it looks like Peter is making the decision to go fishing on his own.    But how many times do we think we are making our own decision, only to find out later on that God has been leading us all along. 

            Just as before, they are fishing all night long and catch nothing.  Just as before, a man standing on the dry land gives them directions to where the fish are.  In verses 4-6, they follow Jesus’ instructions, even though they do not know it is Jesus giving them the instructions.  The results are a huge catch of fish.  In verse 11, the total came to 153 large fish.  In verse 7, John points out to Peter and the rest of the disciples that the man on shore giving them the instruction is Jesus.  With this announcement, Peter jumps off the boat and swims to shore.  Jesus has a fire going with a breakfast of fish and some bread cooking on it.  Jesus instructs the disciples to bring over some of the fish that they have caught. 

Now, we get to the real reason that Peter and the rest of the disciples are here with Jesus.  They have all failed Jesus.   Peter, as leader of the group, has failed Jesus more than any of the others.   They are all filled with shame and regret.   Peter is carrying around a truckload of shame and guilt. 

Jesus starts the restoration of Peter by asking Peter the same question three times, “Do you love me?”  This is to account for the three denials of Jesus by Peter.  Peter answers each probing question with “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”  Jesus gives a slightly different response after Peter’s answer.  Jesus’ first response in verse 15b is “Feed my Lambs.”  This is to commission Peter as a leader to nurture, teach, and protect new believers.  Jesus’ second response in verse 16b is “Take care of My sheep.”  This is to commission Peter as a leader to shepherd, feed and protect the church.  Jesus’ third response in verse 17b is “Feed my sheep.”  This is to commission Peter as a leader to show love by caring for others.  In this restoration process, Peter experiences Jesus’ love, forgiveness, healing, and mercy.  Jesus makes all things new, and in this process, Jesus has made Peter new.  Jesus said to Peter, “Follow Me.”

But a question still remains.  How in the world can Peter ever forget that moment in the courtyard when he denied knowing Jesus.  It is one thing to be forgiven by God, it is another thing to forgive ourselves.  A lot of times the latter is more difficult.  But it is not God that is putting this burden on us, it is the devil. The devil gets into our head.  He keeps trying to keep us in guilt and shame.  Jesus says from the cross, “It is finished.”  Peter tells us in 1 Peter 5:8-9.  Peter makes this bold statement of how to move past guilt and shame in 1 Peter 5:10. Focus on Jesus and trust in Him.  Do not listen to what the devil says, tell him to flee. 

Peter was restored.  During Pentecost, he boldly proclaimed in Acts 2:22-24, 31-33, 38-41.  The church began with a fury because, Peter knew that he was loved by God and forgiven by Jesus in spite of his failures.  Peter moved from failure to follower. 

When we fail, and we will fail, we need to confess our sins and repent of our sins asking God to forgive us.  He will do that.  We can move from failure to follower.  We are all sinners, saved by Jesus.  None of us are out of the reach of His love and forgiveness.  God can and will use each one of us for His kingdom.

So, let us continue to listen to God and do what He says.  Amen.