Redemption – The Will to Wake Up

Though Jesus visited the disciples shortly after rising from the dead, He didn’t stay with them for long. The disciples went back to their lives as fishermen, but Jesus had a greater calling for them.

Today’s Scripture:

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

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. Very truly I tell you, 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.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Even before Jesus reinstated Peter, Peter knew he belonged to Jesus. The sheer joy he must’ve felt as he dove into the water to be as near to the Lord as possible is so beautiful.

But even more beautiful is the intentional way Jesus redeemed Peter. He asked Peter three times whether he loved Him, and even though Peter’s hurt–likely reminded of his earlier betrayal of Jesus–he’s restored through this experience. He made a firm, complete promise to love Jesus forever.

I once heard that the only real difference between Peter’s story and Judas’ story is that Peter accepted Jesus’ second chance to follow Him. I believe Jesus would’ve redeemed Judas had he lived long enough to see Jesus rise again and accepted His forgiveness. Both men denied Jesus by following their flesh rather than their faith, which we all struggle with at times. But Peter was used powerfully by God because he repented.

This doesn’t mean Peter had an easy life after Jesus’ return to Heaven. He was repeatedly punished for his faith, and even lived up to his earlier promise that he would die for his commitment to the Lord. But Peter lived fully into his God-given calling and now he is reunited with Jesus–the ultimate blessing of following Christ.

Consider Jesus’ example: God led Him into death in order to bring about eternal life. We may be lead on a similar journey that involves pain, challenges, and sacrifices. While we won’t save the world (Jesus took care of that!), God graciously allows us the opportunity to enact His will and bring healing to broken hearts that are longing for His love.

Jesus is asking you the same question He asked Peter: will you follow me?

Following Jesus means eternal relationship with Him. Not a life of comfort or ease or power, but rather peace, joy, and purpose. When we are one of His disciples, we will never have to face anything alone.

Even if you’ve been a Christian for a long time, every day we are given the choice whether or not to follow Jesus’ example.

Will we ask for His forgiveness today? Will we take the time to be with our loving Lord? Will we surrender our will to Him?

Even if you’ve said no before, it’s not too late. Today is a fresh start.

Jesus is waiting, so patiently, for us to knock on His door. He’s ready to invite us into deeper relationship with Him.

The question is, are you ready to accept His love?

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

-Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

We praise you for loving us so deeply that you desire everlasting relationship with us. Help us to never neglect our relationship with You. Strengthen us so that we may remain faithful even when storms come. You chose us, now help us choose you. We love you, Father.

Amen.

Now, based on the topic of this post, you’re likely assuming I’m about to bash social media. But honestly, I’m not one to criticize it too much considering I have multiple social media platforms and I’ve met several good friends thanks to Instagram.

However, I’ve also seen several waves of social media by being a GenZer (we’ll pretend that’s a word). I remember when my peers first got phones in middle school and there were talks in youth group about avoiding certain ads and being wary of internet stalkers. The reputations of apps have shifted over time, going from only the “popular kids” having social media to alternative forms of messaging being the main source of communication during quarantine.

But now, as we are (hopefully) emerging out of COVID times, what are people’s opinions of social media? Among my peers, many are just plain sick of it. It’s become too comfortable of a home for internet trolls, people who just want to start up a fight, and a place that harbors loneliness and comparison.

Now, arguably, social media has been a bridge for many to make friends, which I believe to be the biggest benefit of it. But I don’t think that’s the real reason why social media exists.

Social media is basically a platform where people get to handpick their friends, watch their lives from a distance, and share life’s highlights with the world. Never before have we been given the opportunity to gauge exactly how many people care about our lives. That’s essentially what likes and views mean, right? The higher the number, the more people we have who care about us.

So in essence, social media is less about what we’re actually posting and more about feeling loved. We get a cheap thrill from watching our numbers skyrocket, only to have our hearts shattered by a poorly worded comment or an unfollow.

And really, the whole thing feels ridiculous, right? Stewing over a conversation with a stranger or devastated by a lack of response. Making assumptions about others from a single emoji or caption. The more our minds spiral, the more stupid we feel. This causes us to invalidate our feelings, which only creates further harm.

So what’s the solution? Delete social media? Go AWOL?

I don’t think so.

Honestly, if social media were erased from the planet, our problems wouldn’t go away. Humans have constantly searched for love in all the wrong places, and social media isn’t the only wrong place.

Instead, we need to figure out where true love really comes from. And, despite what the holiday Hallmark movies might tell you, it doesn’t come from under the mistletoe 😉

We can love each other, whether as family members, friends, or romantically. But none of us can love perfectly, no matter how amazing you are (which you are amazing, no doubt).

Only God can.

God never gives up on us, never forces us to impress Him or earn His love, and is the only One with the power to truly forgive us. He knows us inside and out, and yet He is still longing to be in relationship with us.

So this holiday season, perhaps others’ posts have made you feel isolated or discouraged if you haven’t had the best winter season so far. Maybe you’ve seen one too many engagement posts or families matching in Christmas pajamas. Yet you feel more alone than ever.

Don’t let comparison steal your joy.

When you find your love and your joy in Jesus, you will be able to feel happy for others while having hope about your own future.

You are loved, no matter what. Never forget that. ❤

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
Exodus 15:13

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11

Tag: Redemption

Not Too Late to Be Redeemed