Restored and forgiven
by Vicky Munro
With Easter fast approaching I was thinking of the events leading up to Jesus crucifixion and what happened after he rose, and one person really stood out to me, I began to look a bit at Peter.
Now Peter had weaknesses such as being impatient, speaking without thinking, losing faith when he walked on the water, what happened? He began to sink!
Then there was the time he lied under pressure, then I came to when Jesus and his disciples were in the garden of gethsemane, what happened? Well Peter fell asleep after Jesus had asked him to keep watch.
And I think the biggest failure of all that he felt was when he denied knowing Jesus three times! At this point I’m pretty sure he was devastated, seeing his Lord and friend being betrayed, beaten and hung on the cross until he died and to top it all off he had denied and deserted Jesus.
Now I know in my life I have messed up, failed, and been pretty devastated at things that have happened, I have been at places in my own life where I have thought “that’s it, I’m done, there is no way back for me, how can God ever forgive me?” I’m sure I’m not alone in this, and the overwhelming sense of failure and loss has just been too much!
So time for the good news!
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter, this is what the angel said to the ladies, “and Peter” Just take a moment to think on that. The angel made sure to mention Peter to show that in spite of his failures, his denials of Jesus, that Jesus had not disowned him nor deserted him, Peter was forgiven and not rejected! Jesus had great plans for Peter to fulfill in the church which was yet to come. Jesus had named Peter, the rock, and on this rock I will build my church. Brothers and sisters, there is hope for us, forgiveness, acceptance, and a great future!
We are forgiven, restored, accepted. There is nothing you or I have done that can ever make him love us any less. I love this quote by Philip yancey “there is nothing we can do to make God love us more; there is nothing we can do to make God love us any less”
Vicky Munro Vicky has been a friend of Ellel Scotland for many years and joined the associate ministry team in 2021 after completing explore A and B. She herself has experienced deep healing over the years and desires to come alongside others to experience the same. As a support worker she enjoys working with children and young people part time. A big cat lover, Vicky also loves walking, catching up with friends and eating Deans shortbread!
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