Undoing the Deflection

We understand more and more the power of the grace of God through the way that Jesus brought Peter back from the dark waters of his sin, ala His three denials. Jesus doesn't turn this meeting into some kind of guilt trip, Jesus just went to the beach where Peter was fishing and showed up with a ready made way of bringing Him back into the fold. John 21: 7 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. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. 10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

Jesus approached Peter, the one who had denied Him three times, casually, and even cooked him breakfast. No big fanfare or cries to the heavens "Peter you denied me when I needed you the most!" Peter was already "good" with Jesus, as far as Jesus was concerned, and Jesus not making a big thing about the whole thing showed "true" grace. No scores to settle because the score was already taken care of on the cross. YES? If we look at this with flawed human reasoning we would in our mind think Peter should really feel guilty and flawed and he should "take a few laps" for his indicretion. Not Jesus. Peter is forgiven and no need for the things we think go along with forgiveness, so no need for excuses, explanations, or deflections. Jesus was undoing the need for a deflection.

We can surely learn from the example of Jesus and how He handled the relationship with Peter. Jesus went about His way like nothing had happened with Peter and He quickly lessened the need for Peter to do something to make it all right again. If Peter did that then that would mean there would be a worldly way of making the relationship right again. Not with the one who forgives. His forgiveness is COMPLETE. How we handle relationships should be Christ centered and not worldly at all. Do you know someone who deals with them doing something wrong by keeping score on everyone else to make them come out on top? Some people can become professionals at deflecting and having to deal with their wrongdoing, or the guilt that comes with it. Like Jesus we are to let go of the hatred, the score, and the unforgiveness and just forgive, like Jesus.

Jesus waits to the end of their breakfast to help Peter realize His forgiveness. John 21:15 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. 16 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. 17 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.

Our humanistic way of looking at forgiveness is flawed at best. Jesus shows the way to keeping a relationship in good standing by questioning Peter about his love for Him, and all He was doing was causing Peter to look at his love for Him now. I have heard many sermons about what Jesus meant to do, like He was making Peter "right" with Him again. In reality, and in the grace of God, Peter was already right with Jesus, but Peter needed to get beyond the human tendency to want to keep score about wrongs for "Peter" to be right with it, or He might lose sight of the goal, which is feeding the sheep of Jesus. Anything less than the way Jesus shows grace is not enough, and in a way, it shows the person doesn't understand the forgiveness of God if another way is attempted. Sad. To miss this grace makes us want to keep score when the ultimate scorekeeper has already thrown the scorebook out the window for eternity.

The question is "Do you love Jesus?" Then forgive as He has forgiven you and others. Luke 6:37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. A true "community" of believers or "church" will only exist and grow when that kind of forgiveness is at the forefront of everything they do. Deal with it!!

Today's Message,

David Warren