“When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32, NLT)
When you’re in the middle of a failure, it can seem like nothing good will ever come from it. But God can always bring good from your failures. In fact, your worst failure can become your greatest success. If you let him, God will use your failures to build His church!
Jesus told Peter in Luke 22:32, “When you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers” (NLT). Before Peter had even failed, Jesus gave him a vision of how God could use his failure for good.
After Peter’s failure (when he denied Jesus three times), Jesus died and then was resurrected. And when He and Peter met again on a seashore, Jesus pointed him to the good God would bring out of his failure. Here’s how the conversation went:
“Jesus said to 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.’ 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.’ 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’” (John 21:15-17, NIV).
Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” Why did He ask that three times? He was giving Peter the opportunity to make up for the three times he had denied Jesus.
And each time, Jesus gave Peter another way he could use his failure for good: “Feed My lambs … Take care of My sheep … Feed My sheep.”
On the same night that Peter had denied Jesus, another disciple, Judas, also failed Jesus. But, ultimately, Judas became a traitor to Jesus, while Peter chose to become a teacher and a leader.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says, “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” (ESV).
God is still building His church by using people who’ve failed. In fact, God only uses failed people — because there aren’t any perfect people!
What are you going to become in light of your failure? It’s your choice. Throughout the day seek God’s wisdom through His Word.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for Your gifts of mercy and grace, though I deserve none. Give me the opportunity, and the wisdom, to tell others about Your love and Your free gift of salvation.
Pray, praise, give thanks, and stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
