Returning To God (#42)

RETURNING TO GOD

Peter had done the unforgivable. When he was watching the trial of Jesus he was confronted by a servant girl. Afraid, he blatantly and loudly denied that he ever knew Jesus. When Jesus heard this lie, he looked at Peter. Peter ran.

Days later, confused and guilty, Peter returned to his fishing nets. He had left them three years ago to follow Jesus.

Would Jesus want anything to do with him now? But after Jesus rose from the grave he came seeking Peter.

Jesus offered one more miracle. After fishing all night with no success, Peter heard a strange suggestion from a stranger on the beach. (He did not know it was Jesus). “Put your net on the other side”. The suggestion defied reason. But he did it. When Peter saw the net was full of fish, he knew the stranger was Jesus—and he jumped out of the boat when it was close to shore and ran to Jesus.

Jesus offered a meal to Peter, and then he reinstated him. Offered him grace again. Offered him forgiveness again. And gave Peter a job/task/mission/: ‘You must follow me, find those who know they’re lost and teach them how to follow me.’
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You may think you have removed yourself too far for too long and cannot re-connect with Jesus. Why would Jesus want anything to do with you?

Jesus can do for you what he did for Peter. Have you walked away from him? He still seeks you. He takes care of your past. He gives you a job. He takes care of your future. Peter ran back into the forgiving and welcoming arms of Jesus. There is no reason in the world you can’t do the same.

Jesus is the seeker. He gave his life to cover your sin and make it possible for you to re-connect with God.

Jesus made the first move. He is looking for you. (Rev. 3:20) If you are ready to give up the empty way of life you are now living (1 Peter 1:18,19), make the second move. Say yes to him.

Then, find a Bible-teaching church. It’s full of people just like you: people who knew they were lost but now they’ve been found. They said yes to Jesus and are learning how to follow him.

If you want to read about this episode in Peter’s life, you can find it in the Gospel of John, chapter 21.