Restoration

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61–62

D.L. MOODY
The Master might have turned and said to Peter, “Is it true, Peter, that you have forgotten me so soon? Do you not remember when your wife’s mother lay sick of a fever that I rebuked the disease and it left her? Do you not call to mind your astonishment at the draught of fishes so that you exclaimed, ‘Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord’? Do you remember when in answer to your cry, ‘Lord, save me, or I perish,’ I stretched out my hand and kept you from drowning in the water? Have you forgotten when, on the Mount of Transfiguration, with James and John, you said to me, ‘Lord, it is good to be here: let us make three tabernacles.’ Have you forgotten being with me at the supper table, and in Gethsemane? Is it true that you have forgotten me so soon?” The Lord  might have upbraided him with questions such as these, but He did nothing of the kind. He cast one look on Peter, and there was so much love in it that it broke that bold disciple’s heart, and he went out and wept bitterly.

ERWIN LUTZER
After Jesus was raised, He appeared first to Peter, then the other apostles (see 1 Corinthians 15:5). Why Peter? Jesus was saying in effect, “You sinned, but you are forgiven; you denied me, but I have not left you.” 
Later, Jesus will give Peter three opportunities to confess his love to His Savior and Lord (John 21). The same lips that denied Christ are now the same lips by which Peter confessed his love. The failure is past, the restoration is complete, and it is time to serve the sheep. 
Let us be encouraged by Jesus’ restoring work. When we sin, if we are willing to confess, He is willing to forgive. Christ’s forgiveness increases our love for Him and proves His love for us.

PRAYER
Father, thank you for restoring me to you.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
When you sin, are you more likely to hide in shame or run to Christ for forgiveness and restoration?

What does the story of Peter’s betrayal and restoration tell us about our relationship with God?