Forgiven, Restored and Redefined

We may think that we have really “blown it”and God will not forgive us – again.  We constantly fall short of our own goals never mind the ideals of good Christian living.  I want to reaasure you that our sins though many cannot outweigh the love and sacrifice of Jesus’ own blood to wash them away.  The Bible gives us many vesrses to reinforce this and many stories like Peters’.

Isaiah 1:18  “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

Psalm 103:12   as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Tagbah sits on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee at the foot of the Mount of the Beatitudes.  This was a favorite fishing spot for the men from nearby Capernaum.  There are several warm springs that enter the Lake here that attract numerous fish especially in winter.

There were two churches built at Tagbah; one that comemmorates Jesus feeding the 5000 – The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. This is built over a 4th century church where Byzantine tile work can still been on the floor under the altar. The second church  – The Church of Peter’s Primacy – is where Jesus made His third post-resurection appearance to the disciples.  Jesus had been crucified. This church sits by the shore and the rock incorporated into its floor is believed to be the place Jesus served breakfast.

All of the disciples hopes and dreams seemed gone so the men went back to what they knew best – fishing. They didn’t have a clear view of what wouldcome next.

 John 21:1-17 (NLT)

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.  Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore…….  When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. …. After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? ” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.         

Peter, the first called, the one to always speak up, the one to jump ahead, one of the three closest friends of Jesus, had really blown it. In fear he had denied his friend, his proclaimed Lord, not once but three times.  Jesus lovingly confronts his heart and forgives him. But Jesus isn’t done with Peter, oh no!  He reminds him of his new name, (Cephas )Peter or Rock and his bigger mission and purpose.

Matthew 16:18    And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

There is no sin too big for Him to forgive.  Search your heart and see if there is anything in the way of your relationship with Christ.  God forgives, restores and redifines our purpose for living.