There may be some people here today who feel they are failures or fallen. Be encouraged. The word of God is for you. Perhaps you feel you have failed in your family relationships, or failed at your work. Perhaps you feel a failure in your devotion to the Lord. Be encouraged, this message is for you. Jesus gives hope and purpose to fallen people.

Jesus addresses people’s failings. Peter was a fallen man and before Jesus restored him he addressed Peter’s failing. Just as Peter denied Jesus three times so now Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” It is a reasonable inference that Jesus asked the question three times to bring to the forefront Peter’s three denials. This was all part of the process of restoration.

During his post-resurrection appearances Jesus never rebuked his followers. There is no sign of condemnation. Jesus bore no grudges to those who had failed him or sinned against him. Instead it was all “Peace be with you.” Is this not something to rejoice in? Jesus deals with our past but not in a condemnatory way. If we come to him he forgives us and our sinful past is dealt with once and for all. Indeed, when Jesus died for our sins he dealt for them once and for all. They are never mentioned again. What message is there comparable to the message of Jesus Christ and his gospel? There is nothing like it. Whatever our failing, Jesus has dealt with it once and for all. We are cleansed. We are forgiven. We can have a clear conscience. God holds no grudges toward us. No wonder we can rejoice that Jesus gives fallen people hope.

Notice next that Jesus gives Peter an opportunity to confess his love for him. Jesus’ threefold question “Do you love me?” evokes the threefold response from Peter of “I love you.” Peter denied Jesus three times. Now three times he reaffirms his love for Jesus.

I am aware that John uses two Greek words for “love” in this passage. There may be some significance in this but it is hidden from my limited understanding. I believe John uses the two Greek words interchangeably to mean the same thing. It is largely a matter of style and similar to his interchangeable use of the words “lambs” and “sheep”.

The main thing is that despite his earlier failure Peter is given a second chance to confess his love for Jesus. Failure is not final. Peter failed but Jesus gives him a second chance to renew his love for him. A Christian’s love for Jesus can wane. But equally it can be renewed just as Peter’s love was.

Thirdly, notice how Jesus renewed his call to Peter to follow him. At the end of proceedings Jesus said to Peter “Follow me” which is precisely what he said to Peter before Peter fell. Peter is given a renewed opportunity to follow Jesus. He is given new purpose. He is to feed the sheep which means he is to look after the church, the people of God.

We should be very happy that our failings do not prevent us from serving the Lord. Once our sins have been dealt with we are given a new purpose to our lives. Are there people here today who need a new direction in life? Perhaps you have been so engrossed in making money, playing sport, socialising that you are wasting your life and neglecting the work of Christ. Now is an opportunity to renew your commitment to Christ and to have renewed purpose to your lives. You may be an older person but you can still have a new purpose in life. I am told that today most students enrolled in Bible Colleges and seminaries are more mature in years than when I was in Bible College. Age is no barrier. Jesus can give you new purpose.

After Peter was restored he was far more useful to the Lord than what he was before his fall. After his restoration Peter was a humbled and broken vessel and of far greater use to the Master. Our failings do not finish us. Rather, they are used by God to make us more useful to him.

After his restoration Peter was far more fruitful for the Lord than before his fall. Before his fall Peter was a preacher but after his restoration he was a far more fruitful preacher. On Pentecost he preached what is arguably the greatest sermon preached aside from those preached by Jesus. Peter stood up, preached, and 3000 souls were saved.

Rejoice that Jesus gives hope and purpose to fallen people. You may feel a failure. Come to Jesus and confess your sins. Why delay? Renew your commitment to him today and receive new hope and purpose.

(Summary of sermon delivered by Pastor David Yan)