April 21, 1999

LIFE & WORK:
God provides power to
shake it off and step up
___ John 18:15-18, 25-27; 21:15-22
___By Doug Riggs
___Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford
___A parable tells the story of a farmer's mule that fell into a well. The farmer sympathized with the mule, but he decided neither the mule nor the well was worth saving. He called his neighbors together to help put the mule out of his misery. They began filling the well with dirt. Ultimately, they were surprised to see the mule step out of the well alive. When the dirt hit the animal's back, he shook it off and stepped up until he was free.
___Under the grace of God, Christians need to learn the art of shaking it off and stepping up. Failure is inevitable in life. Divorce, bankruptcy, loss of job, broken dreams and moral or spiritual failure can seem very final. However, the Bible abounds with stories of those who stumbled and got back up. Peter was one such example of God's grace even after multiple failures.
___ Failure experienced (John 18:15-18, 25-27). Jesus warned the disciples that they all would fall away from him during the hours surrounding his crucifixion. Peter protested and proclaimed superior allegiance to his Lord in spite of what others might do (Matthew 26:33).
___His declaration was put to the test quickly in the context of fear. Peter was in dangerous territory during the trials of Jesus. He denied any association with Jesus three times as people asked him questions (vv. 17, 25, and 27). Matthew includes that Peter even added oaths and curses to his denial (Matt. 26:72, 74). Then the rooster crowed. He had failed miserably.
___ Failure confronted (John 21:15-17). John concluded his book by wrapping up some loose ends. One of those unfinished stories explained how Jesus reclaimed Peter. The three questions posed by Jesus reflected the three denials of Peter. However, each question was different. First, Jesus asked Peter if he loved (agape love) him "more than these" (v. 15). The question calls to mind Peter's boast that no matter what the other disciples did, he would never desert Jesus. In the second question Jesus dropped the comparison and simply asked if Peter loved (agape love) him. The third question asked if Peter had brotherly love (phileo) for Jesus.
___Peter was humbled. In fact, he answered each question by professing his brotherly love (phileo) for Jesus. John basically used these two words for love interchangeably even in the same context. However, some progression in thought remains. If Peter could not claim love greater than anyone else's, and if Peter could not even claim the highest form of love (agape), Jesus still had a purpose for his life. "Feed my sheep," Jesus said.
___ Failure redeemed (John 21:18-22). Jesus reclaimed Peter by revealing a new assignment in his life. The road would not be easy for Peter. In fact, ultimately he would become a martyr for the faith (vv. 18-19). His earlier failure did not predetermine his future faithfulness. So it is with modern disciples. We will disappoint ourselves and our Lord, but by the grace of God we can step up and shake it off.

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