Restoration

"It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Luke 24:34 (NIV)

That is all we know. We don’t know what was said or what happened, but Jesus had a personal encounter with Peter after his resurrection. Later we see a very public encounter with Peter to let him and the other disciples know that everything was good between Peter and Jesus.

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 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. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" John 21:15-19 (NIV)

Three times Jesus encounters Peter with the question of his love. Three times Peter had denied his love for Jesus. Peter’s restoration is made complete with eth same words that his relationship with Jesus had begun, “Follow me.”

So, what about you? Are there areas of your life where you believe that Jesus could not possibly restore you and give you hope and forgiveness? Are there palaces in your life where you feel like you have denied Christ so much you are without hope?

The message of Easter is that no one is without hope. The message of Easter is that forgiveness of sins and restoration of God is found in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Peter himself wrote these words to encourage those who seek to have a restored life in Jesus:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Peter told us how to receive this restoration:

“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Acts 1:21 (NIV)

God’s grace is available for you today. The scripture tells us to call on the name of the Lord to be saved. It tells us to believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead and confess with our mouths Jesus as Lord, and restoration and forgiveness will be ours. Today, will you begin the journey? Will you, like Peter, answer the call of Christ to “Follow Me.”