Resurrection Brings Restoration (By Mike Belgard)

March 30, 2018 - Have you ever said or done something that you wish you could take back? Just imagine if you could take back those harsh words that you may have said to a friend or relative. Unfortunately I have had to "eat my words" far too many times in my life. I am sure that if you have lived for very long you can think of a time that you have done the same thing. 

As I prepare for the Easter service this Sunday, I was reading the story in John 20 where John and Peter came running to the tomb. I realized that even though John outran Peter and came to the tomb first, he didn't go in. But Peter went immediately without hesitation, into the tomb to find Jesus gone.  Peter appeared to be more enthusiastic to see the empty tomb than others. I asked  myself the question, "What made Peter so bold that without hesitation he ran straight into the tomb without stopping at the door?" Then I recalled that it was he, who when Jesus was taken from the cross dead,  he denied Christ three times. It was he, who had wept and was filled with guilt when the rooster crowed as predicted by Jesus. And now if the resurrection was real, he had a chance to right the wrong he had done that night as he stood by the fire and denied that he even knew Jesus. You see the empty grave for Peter was an opportunity for a new beginning. 

Later in John 21: 15-19 Jesus restores Peters place as the leader of the disciples and the early church by making him commit to "feed my sheep." the same number of times (three) as Peter had denied Jesus. Peter became the "rock" of the church that Jesus had told him he would be. Even though Peter stumbled, Jesus forgave him, and restored him to the position that Jesus had promised him.

I love this story because it reminds me of the kind of God we serve.  He is a God of forgiveness and restoration. Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." Christ died for you even though you were, or are still committing sins. In other words He loves you right where you are at. He knows we sometimes stumble. That we have all manner of character flaws, but He loves us just the same. And just like Peter, if we are willing to seek forgiveness and restoration He is faithful to give it to us. Not because we deserve it, but because of His great love for us and His unlimited grace. 

So remember, no matter how bad you may think you have messed up, God loves you. He wants to restore you to the high place He has prepared for you. With arms open wide He's waiting for you. Quit running away and start running toward Him. 

I'm Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard