1 00:00:00,170 --> 00:00:03,830 Speaker 1: Casting all your worries on Him because He cares for you. 2 00:00:03,830 --> 00:00:09,650 Speaker 1: 1 Peter 5.7 Heavenly Father, in the comforting promise of 3 00:00:09,650 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: 1 Peter 5.7, we find our refuge and strength. We 4 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: acknowledge our worries and lay them at Your feet, trusting 5 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:24,239 Speaker 1: in Your unfailing care. Grant us peace that surpasses all 6 00:00:24,340 --> 00:00:29,630 Speaker 1: understanding as we cast every anxiety on You. Remind us, Lord, 7 00:00:29,710 --> 00:00:33,750 Speaker 1: that in your hands our burdens are lightened and our 8 00:00:33,830 --> 00:00:37,909 Speaker 1: spirits are uplifted. Help us to navigate the challenges of 9 00:00:37,970 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 1: life with faith and courage, knowing that you are always 10 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:48,159 Speaker 1: with us, guiding and protecting. Teach us to lean on 11 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:52,900 Speaker 1: your everlasting arms, finding rest in your assurance and love. 12 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:58,170 Speaker 1: May our hearts be filled with gratitude. for your constant 13 00:00:58,310 --> 00:01:03,510 Speaker 1: presence and unending grace. In Jesus' name we pray. 14 00:01:04,500 --> 00:01:04,780 Speaker 2: Amen. 15 00:01:07,670 --> 00:01:10,500 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to 16 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:14,900 Speaker 1: The Jesus Podcast, sagas from the gospel told like never before. 17 00:01:15,980 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: Remain here to immerse yourself in the drama and wonder 18 00:01:20,180 --> 00:01:22,979 Speaker 1: of Christ's story. If you want to partner with us 19 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:25,559 Speaker 1: in our mission to bring the Bible to life in 20 00:01:25,660 --> 00:01:30,030 Speaker 1: new ways, Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. 21 00:01:30,650 --> 00:01:34,030 Speaker 1: Doing so will keep you updated, but also help us 22 00:01:34,090 --> 00:01:37,970 Speaker 1: get discovered by more people. That way, we can reach 23 00:01:38,020 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: the whole world with the story of Jesus. It's him, 24 00:01:43,740 --> 00:01:45,300 Speaker 1: John said with excited breath. 25 00:01:45,740 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 3: It's the Lord. 26 00:01:46,819 --> 00:01:50,810 Speaker 1: Peter stood over the bow and squinted for focus. On 27 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:55,670 Speaker 1: the shore, waving to Peter, was Jesus. the rays of 28 00:01:55,750 --> 00:01:59,630 Speaker 1: dawn's light behind him. This was the third time Jesus 29 00:01:59,670 --> 00:02:02,850 Speaker 1: had appeared to Peter. Was he going to remain stuck 30 00:02:02,910 --> 00:02:06,500 Speaker 1: in shame for a third time? Peter took a few 31 00:02:06,580 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: steps back and paused. He looked down at his feet, 32 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: thinking about all the times he had missed the opportunity 33 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:19,430 Speaker 1: to embrace Jesus. He looked forward. Jesus was there, smile 34 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:24,690 Speaker 1: beaming like the sunrise, beckoning him to come. Peter drew 35 00:02:24,730 --> 00:02:28,410 Speaker 1: a deep breath and tightened his fist. What was the 36 00:02:28,500 --> 00:02:33,700 Speaker 1: resurrection for if mistakes kept him down? Peter looked ahead, 37 00:02:34,100 --> 00:02:39,500 Speaker 1: planted his feet, and threw away his inhibitions. He sprinted forward, 38 00:02:39,980 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 1: leaping out and diving into the water. He pulled at 39 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:46,579 Speaker 1: the water and kicked with his might, desperate to get 40 00:02:46,660 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: to Jesus. He wasn't going to hide in shame anymore. 41 00:02:51,590 --> 00:02:52,610 Speaker 2: He refused to. 42 00:02:52,550 --> 00:02:57,070 Speaker 1: Allow regret to anchor him any longer. He needed Jesus. 43 00:02:57,889 --> 00:03:02,370 Speaker 1: Peter swam with all his might, not wanting to waste 44 00:03:02,889 --> 00:03:09,549 Speaker 1: another moment. To truly move on and embrace the future, 45 00:03:09,770 --> 00:03:12,760 Speaker 1: you first have to wrestle with your past. You can't 46 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,030 Speaker 1: run from it. You can't hide away and ignore it. 47 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:18,900 Speaker 1: You have to face it. Jesus had to guide Peter 48 00:03:18,980 --> 00:03:21,519 Speaker 1: through that grueling process. But at the end of it all, 49 00:03:21,910 --> 00:03:26,210 Speaker 1: Peter found true freedom and strength. This is the Jesus Podcast. 50 00:03:27,090 --> 00:03:27,630 Speaker 1: Welcome back. 51 00:03:28,590 --> 00:03:30,850 Speaker 2: We have been leading up to today's episode for quite 52 00:03:30,870 --> 00:03:34,470 Speaker 2: a while, the moment when Jesus finally restores Peter. Like 53 00:03:34,530 --> 00:03:37,550 Speaker 2: many of us, Peter feels weighed down by shame and 54 00:03:37,610 --> 00:03:40,130 Speaker 2: his past. He wrestled with the pain of his sins, 55 00:03:40,220 --> 00:03:42,580 Speaker 2: and the memories of his failures continued to haunt him. 56 00:03:43,180 --> 00:03:46,020 Speaker 2: But Jesus appeared to Peter twice now, and Peter was 57 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 2: shackled to the floor, unable to embrace him. He was 58 00:03:49,140 --> 00:03:52,140 Speaker 2: chained to the ground by his guilt. In our last episode, 59 00:03:52,180 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 2: Jesus revealed himself a third time, prompting Peter to finally 60 00:03:56,020 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 2: let go of his inhibitions and dive into the water. 61 00:03:59,670 --> 00:04:02,550 Speaker 2: What will happen to our sweet friend Peter now? Will 62 00:04:02,590 --> 00:04:05,529 Speaker 2: he finally embrace Jesus and step into his calling? Or 63 00:04:05,610 --> 00:04:08,350 Speaker 2: will he continue to let past sins rob him from 64 00:04:08,410 --> 00:04:11,470 Speaker 2: present joy? Let's find out now in this dramatic retelling 65 00:04:11,870 --> 00:04:14,750 Speaker 2: of John 21. 66 00:04:15,850 --> 00:04:20,390 Speaker 1: Peter's strokes were weighed down by his clothes. His companions 67 00:04:20,490 --> 00:04:23,830 Speaker 1: rode beside him, wondering why Peter felt the need to 68 00:04:23,890 --> 00:04:27,609 Speaker 1: swim in the first place. Yet there was beauty in 69 00:04:27,650 --> 00:04:31,409 Speaker 1: the struggle as Peter desperately swam closer to the shore. 70 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:36,000 Speaker 1: The resistance of his clothes, the chill of the water, 71 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:39,900 Speaker 1: and the current working against him were all symbols of 72 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:43,460 Speaker 1: his shame. Peter had let the weight of his shame 73 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:48,530 Speaker 1: keep him from pressing forward, but no longer. He swam 74 00:04:48,589 --> 00:04:53,540 Speaker 1: with violent determination. He reached the shore, clawing his way 75 00:04:53,620 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: through the sand. He stood up, soaked and cold, and 76 00:04:57,240 --> 00:04:58,500 Speaker 1: looked around for Jesus. 77 00:04:59,080 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 2: Jesus! 78 00:05:00,940 --> 00:05:02,799 Speaker 1: Peter shouted with labored breathing. 79 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:05,779 Speaker 3: Master, where are you? 80 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:08,979 Speaker 1: Peter saw a dark plume of smoke rising from the 81 00:05:09,020 --> 00:05:12,600 Speaker 1: other side of a small dune. Peter ran and saw 82 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:17,870 Speaker 1: Jesus tending to a charcoal fire. Peter smiled. stumbled down 83 00:05:17,930 --> 00:05:23,049 Speaker 1: the slope and fell at Jesus' feet. Sopping wet and shivering, 84 00:05:23,910 --> 00:05:24,930 Speaker 1: clung to his robes. 85 00:05:25,490 --> 00:05:26,970 Speaker 3: Will you share a meal with me, Peter? 86 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: Peter nodded and sat on a log on the other 87 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 1: side of the fire. The others secured their boat to 88 00:05:33,500 --> 00:05:36,660 Speaker 1: the shore and brought back fish to cook over the charcoal. 89 00:05:38,020 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: The others ate, but Peter remained silent. He was distracted 90 00:05:42,860 --> 00:05:46,700 Speaker 1: by the scent of the burning coals. The scent was familiar. 91 00:05:47,690 --> 00:05:50,690 Speaker 1: The fire burnt from the same charcoal as that night 92 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,980 Speaker 1: Peter denied Jesus. The memories of denial came flooding back 93 00:05:56,060 --> 00:05:59,700 Speaker 1: into his mind. Jesus looked up from across the coals 94 00:05:59,779 --> 00:06:04,190 Speaker 1: and said, Simon, son of John. Peter looked up. It 95 00:06:04,210 --> 00:06:06,929 Speaker 1: had been a long time since Jesus called him Simon. 96 00:06:08,050 --> 00:06:11,510 Speaker 1: Jesus looked deeply into the fisherman's eyes and asked, Do 97 00:06:11,550 --> 00:06:15,450 Speaker 1: you love me? Peter met the Lord's gaze. The flickering 98 00:06:15,540 --> 00:06:19,810 Speaker 1: flames reflected in his eyes. Peter didn't hesitate this time 99 00:06:19,990 --> 00:06:20,730 Speaker 1: in his response. 100 00:06:21,210 --> 00:06:24,570 Speaker 2: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you, he answered. 101 00:06:25,430 --> 00:06:29,430 Speaker 1: Jesus nodded and poked the charcoal with a stick. His 102 00:06:29,490 --> 00:06:34,310 Speaker 1: gaze was intense, but still warm. He looked at Peter 103 00:06:34,390 --> 00:06:38,540 Speaker 1: and replied, Then feed my lambs. The black smoke rose 104 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,510 Speaker 1: high in the air. Peter hated the smell of it. 105 00:06:42,380 --> 00:06:45,480 Speaker 1: It reminded him of his sins. He could still hear 106 00:06:45,540 --> 00:06:49,370 Speaker 1: the echoes of the rooster's call in his mind. Jesus, 107 00:06:49,520 --> 00:06:55,570 Speaker 1: attempting to interrupt Peter's spiraling self-loathing, asked again, Simon, son 108 00:06:55,589 --> 00:06:59,830 Speaker 1: of John, do you love me? This time, Peter paused 109 00:06:59,930 --> 00:07:06,390 Speaker 1: before answering. He considered the question. Did he truly love Jesus? 110 00:07:07,490 --> 00:07:10,630 Speaker 1: If so, then why did he fall asleep when Jesus 111 00:07:10,690 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: wanted him to pray? If he loved him, why did 112 00:07:14,390 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: he deny him three times? Peter sighed and thought deeply. 113 00:07:19,140 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: He raised his head and looked at Jesus. Although his 114 00:07:22,700 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: actions did not fully express it, Peter knew the answer. Yes, Lord, 115 00:07:28,020 --> 00:07:31,260 Speaker 1: you know that I love you. Jesus' gaze did not 116 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 1: leave Peter's. 117 00:07:32,820 --> 00:07:35,260 Speaker 3: Then tend to my sheep, he answered. 118 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 1: The tension was thick enough to run a blade through. 119 00:07:39,750 --> 00:07:44,670 Speaker 1: The other disciples merely watched and listened silently as Jesus 120 00:07:44,810 --> 00:07:50,390 Speaker 1: asked Peter a third time. This time Jesus' tone was intense, 121 00:07:51,390 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: as if he were drawing something heavy out of Peter. 122 00:07:55,140 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 3: Simon, son of John, do you love me? 123 00:08:00,580 --> 00:08:05,370 Speaker 1: Peter's jaw quivered, and his hands shook. He buried his 124 00:08:05,430 --> 00:08:09,230 Speaker 1: face in his hands and tightened his grip. Jesus had 125 00:08:09,310 --> 00:08:13,270 Speaker 1: now asked him three times, the same amount of times 126 00:08:13,740 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: he had denied him. The rest of the disciples listened 127 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:21,720 Speaker 1: to the sound of Peter's labored sobs and intermixed with 128 00:08:21,740 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 1: the crackling of the fire. Peter finally looked up. He 129 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:31,170 Speaker 1: wiped his eyes and straightened back his shoulders. He wasn't 130 00:08:31,210 --> 00:08:33,930 Speaker 1: going to let shame keep him from Jesus any longer. 131 00:08:34,350 --> 00:08:38,490 Speaker 2: Lord, you know all things. 132 00:08:38,970 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: He said with a cracked voice. He cleared his throat 133 00:08:42,900 --> 00:08:45,990 Speaker 1: and nodded. as if to assure himself that everything would 134 00:08:46,030 --> 00:08:50,089 Speaker 1: be different from now on. He beat his fist against 135 00:08:50,150 --> 00:08:52,110 Speaker 1: his chest and said, You know my. 136 00:08:52,050 --> 00:08:57,290 Speaker 2: Heart, and you know my mind. You have searched. 137 00:08:56,890 --> 00:08:58,449 Speaker 1: Me and known me. 138 00:09:00,390 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 2: You know that I love you. 139 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:06,340 Speaker 1: Jesus nodded and stood to his feet. He knelt to 140 00:09:06,380 --> 00:09:10,859 Speaker 1: Peter and placed his hand on his shoulder. Jesus held 141 00:09:10,940 --> 00:09:11,760 Speaker 1: it firmly and. 142 00:09:11,740 --> 00:09:14,910 Speaker 3: Said, Then feed. My sheep. 143 00:09:15,390 --> 00:09:21,000 Speaker 1: At that moment, the weight of Peter's shame crumbled under 144 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: the warm embrace of Jesus. The two of them embraced, 145 00:09:26,260 --> 00:09:30,340 Speaker 1: and the rugged fisherman wept like a child in Jesus' arms. 146 00:09:31,500 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 1: Jesus had restored Peter. Although he had denied him, there 147 00:09:37,740 --> 00:09:42,470 Speaker 1: would be no condemnation for those who loved him. Peter's 148 00:09:42,610 --> 00:09:46,650 Speaker 1: heart was filled with the Spirit of God. His sins 149 00:09:46,790 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: were heavy like an anchor on his soul, but now 150 00:09:49,740 --> 00:09:55,040 Speaker 1: because of the grace Christ provided, he was free. Jesus 151 00:09:55,059 --> 00:09:58,130 Speaker 1: helped Peter to his feet and took him alone to 152 00:09:58,150 --> 00:10:02,740 Speaker 1: the water. Together, they walked on the sand and spoke 153 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:07,830 Speaker 1: as friends they spoke about Jesus death and what had 154 00:10:07,870 --> 00:10:11,589 Speaker 1: happened during the trial they paused and looked out at 155 00:10:11,630 --> 00:10:16,110 Speaker 1: the water glistening in the afternoon Sun rays of sunshine 156 00:10:16,450 --> 00:10:20,810 Speaker 1: bounced in a thousand different directions They watched as the 157 00:10:20,850 --> 00:10:24,550 Speaker 1: gulls dove headfirst into the water to snatch up fish. 158 00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:29,429 Speaker 1: Still looking out, Jesus spoke to Peter, saying. 159 00:10:30,070 --> 00:10:32,329 Speaker 3: When you were young, you were used to doing as 160 00:10:32,370 --> 00:10:35,670 Speaker 3: you pleased. You dressed yourself and walked wherever you wanted. 161 00:10:36,429 --> 00:10:38,970 Speaker 3: You followed your own desires, whims, and passions. 162 00:10:39,570 --> 00:10:41,610 Speaker 1: Jesus placed a hand on Peter's shoulder. 163 00:10:42,150 --> 00:10:45,730 Speaker 3: But now you're a man. You no longer have that freedom. 164 00:10:46,530 --> 00:10:49,239 Speaker 3: I have called you to something greater. You will be 165 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 3: taken where you do not wish to go. You will 166 00:10:51,780 --> 00:10:54,740 Speaker 3: be carried out as I was. Will you still follow me? 167 00:10:55,380 --> 00:10:59,940 Speaker 1: Peter nodded confidently, ready to receive whatever death awaited him 168 00:11:00,420 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 1: because of Jesus. It was not a vapid confidence like before. 169 00:11:05,850 --> 00:11:10,730 Speaker 1: This time, Peter had the reassurance of Christ's strength, an 170 00:11:10,929 --> 00:11:15,489 Speaker 1: indwelling power that would help him in times of desperation 171 00:11:16,190 --> 00:11:23,490 Speaker 1: and insecurity. Peter finally felt like a rock, steady and immovable. 172 00:11:25,250 --> 00:11:29,079 Speaker 1: Peter turned back to the fire. John and the other 173 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:33,540 Speaker 1: disciples were still eating and talking amongst themselves. What about John? 174 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:38,500 Speaker 1: Peter asked. What is his fate? Jesus looked back at John. 175 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 1: His young smile was infectious. Jesus grinned and patted Peter 176 00:11:44,090 --> 00:11:44,500 Speaker 1: on the back. 177 00:11:45,090 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 3: My plans for John are none of your concerns. He 178 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:50,179 Speaker 3: may remain until I return once again. Yet that is 179 00:11:50,220 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 3: not for you to know. You follow me with the 180 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:54,819 Speaker 3: gifts and calling I have given you. 181 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:59,380 Speaker 1: Peter nodded. John and Peter would both suffer for the 182 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,720 Speaker 1: sake of Christ. Peter would march up a hill with 183 00:12:02,780 --> 00:12:07,569 Speaker 1: his cross and hang upside down. John would be exiled 184 00:12:07,610 --> 00:12:11,270 Speaker 1: to rot away on an island. Yet before these things 185 00:12:11,350 --> 00:12:15,430 Speaker 1: could happen, they would see the world changed by the 186 00:12:15,510 --> 00:12:20,070 Speaker 1: power of God's Spirit. They would be called shepherds to 187 00:12:20,130 --> 00:12:24,689 Speaker 1: tend Jesus' sheep. Together they would witness and usher in 188 00:12:25,110 --> 00:12:29,590 Speaker 1: the beginning of Christ's church. These lowly fishermen from the 189 00:12:29,630 --> 00:12:33,850 Speaker 1: docks of Galilee would be used to usher in the 190 00:12:33,970 --> 00:12:39,960 Speaker 1: glory of God himself. Yet it all began with following 191 00:12:40,300 --> 00:12:42,939 Speaker 1: the good shepherd, Jesus. 192 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 2: Out of all the senses, more than sight, more than touch, 193 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:55,449 Speaker 2: more than taste, the olfactory sense, the sense of smell, 194 00:12:55,970 --> 00:12:58,809 Speaker 2: is actually linked to our memory the most. Whether it 195 00:12:58,830 --> 00:13:01,150 Speaker 2: be the smell of your mother's perfume, the smell of 196 00:13:01,170 --> 00:13:03,350 Speaker 2: the car that you first got, the smell of the 197 00:13:03,390 --> 00:13:07,290 Speaker 2: flowers blossoming in your hometown. There are certain smells that 198 00:13:07,390 --> 00:13:10,190 Speaker 2: elicit certain memories, whether they be good memories of our 199 00:13:10,230 --> 00:13:12,949 Speaker 2: childhood or bad memories of a time where we were 200 00:13:12,990 --> 00:13:15,990 Speaker 2: dumped or a time where we failed. And that brings 201 00:13:16,150 --> 00:13:18,780 Speaker 2: us to the charcoal fire. You see, there's only two 202 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:21,470 Speaker 2: times in the New Testament where a charcoal fire is mentioned. 203 00:13:22,110 --> 00:13:24,410 Speaker 2: One is the scene that we just witnessed right now, 204 00:13:24,809 --> 00:13:27,510 Speaker 2: and two is the scene when Peter is around a fire, 205 00:13:27,850 --> 00:13:30,910 Speaker 2: denying Jesus three times. The setting of the charcoal fire 206 00:13:30,950 --> 00:13:33,890 Speaker 2: becomes a poignant reminder of Peter's denial, as it was 207 00:13:33,929 --> 00:13:37,080 Speaker 2: around a similar fire that he had disowned Jesus. The 208 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:39,620 Speaker 2: smell of the burning coals brought back memories of that 209 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:43,340 Speaker 2: fateful night for Peter. This signifies how our past actions 210 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,110 Speaker 2: and failures can often haunt us. We want to run 211 00:13:46,150 --> 00:13:49,020 Speaker 2: away from it. We want to ignore the past, but 212 00:13:49,100 --> 00:13:53,579 Speaker 2: Jesus setting this fire is important. Jesus doesn't want Peter 213 00:13:53,620 --> 00:13:57,660 Speaker 2: to ignore his past mistakes. The fire symbolizes God's desire 214 00:13:57,700 --> 00:14:00,080 Speaker 2: for you and me to face our past head on 215 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:03,699 Speaker 2: and process what we've done. The olfactory sense, our sense 216 00:14:03,740 --> 00:14:06,550 Speaker 2: of smell, is the sense that is most closely connected 217 00:14:06,590 --> 00:14:10,270 Speaker 2: to our memories. So by placing this pungent coal before Peter, 218 00:14:10,730 --> 00:14:14,849 Speaker 2: Jesus is forcing the restoration process. He's forcing Peter to 219 00:14:15,140 --> 00:14:18,780 Speaker 2: to look at his past and move forward. Just as 220 00:14:18,880 --> 00:14:21,890 Speaker 2: Jesus recreated the scene from when Peter first believed in 221 00:14:21,950 --> 00:14:24,930 Speaker 2: him with the catching of fish, he's recreating the scene 222 00:14:25,030 --> 00:14:27,590 Speaker 2: of when Peter denied him. There are two different camps 223 00:14:27,630 --> 00:14:30,730 Speaker 2: that people tend to find themselves in. Some people overly 224 00:14:30,770 --> 00:14:33,410 Speaker 2: dwell on the past. They're stuck in the past, and 225 00:14:33,650 --> 00:14:35,330 Speaker 2: they're stuck in the good old days, or they're stuck 226 00:14:35,370 --> 00:14:37,460 Speaker 2: in a mistake that they made, and it makes them 227 00:14:37,620 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 2: unable to grow or move forward. Some people like to 228 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:43,330 Speaker 2: pretend that the past never happened. and that they always 229 00:14:43,370 --> 00:14:45,190 Speaker 2: need to look to the future, and they can never 230 00:14:45,270 --> 00:14:48,590 Speaker 2: process what's happened to them. But both of these postures 231 00:14:48,810 --> 00:14:52,030 Speaker 2: are wrong. Jesus wants us to have an appropriate processing 232 00:14:52,070 --> 00:14:54,610 Speaker 2: of our past mistakes, but he also wants us to 233 00:14:54,690 --> 00:14:58,050 Speaker 2: move forward. This is twice now in the restorative process 234 00:14:58,110 --> 00:15:01,360 Speaker 2: that Jesus is bringing back the past to be relived 235 00:15:01,420 --> 00:15:05,220 Speaker 2: by Peter. Why? Because there is power in facing the 236 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 2: same emotions and hurts of the past, but instead of 237 00:15:08,060 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 2: making the wrong decision, facing them and making the right one. 238 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:14,300 Speaker 2: That's what's happening here, and look at all the good 239 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:18,160 Speaker 2: that came from it. Jesus asked Peter three times if 240 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 2: he loves him, and three times Peter has to respond. 241 00:15:21,740 --> 00:15:24,500 Speaker 2: There's significance not just in the three times Jesus asked 242 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:27,420 Speaker 2: this question, mirroring the three times Peter denied him, but 243 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:31,840 Speaker 2: also in the commission that comes afterwards. Jesus is tenderly 244 00:15:31,900 --> 00:15:35,180 Speaker 2: inviting Peter into an active relationship with him, one that 245 00:15:35,230 --> 00:15:39,220 Speaker 2: goes past lip service and into action. Peter denied knowing 246 00:15:39,300 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 2: Jesus three times, but now Jesus is inviting Peter to 247 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 2: acknowledge him three times while also giving him a mission. 248 00:15:47,420 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 2: See what Jesus is doing? He's having Peter acknowledge and 249 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 2: be restored from his past, and then he's giving him 250 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:56,470 Speaker 2: something to look forward to. Peter can't stay in the past. 251 00:15:56,500 --> 00:15:59,060 Speaker 2: He can't keep dwelling on it. He has to process it, 252 00:15:59,390 --> 00:16:02,170 Speaker 2: move on, and step into the glory that awaits him. 253 00:16:02,770 --> 00:16:05,170 Speaker 2: The greater intimacy we have with someone, the greater our 254 00:16:05,230 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 2: need for action is. The more our lives are intertwined 255 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,980 Speaker 2: with each other, the greater need for us to put 256 00:16:11,020 --> 00:16:13,140 Speaker 2: our money where our mouth is. And the same is 257 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,500 Speaker 2: true with our relationship with Jesus. To attach action to 258 00:16:16,540 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 2: a declaration gives weight and purpose to the relationship. It's 259 00:16:20,700 --> 00:16:22,520 Speaker 2: not enough for me to tell my wife I love her. 260 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:24,850 Speaker 2: I have to show her through my actions. I have 261 00:16:24,890 --> 00:16:27,390 Speaker 2: to show her through how I pursue her, how I 262 00:16:27,510 --> 00:16:30,390 Speaker 2: serve her, how I help our family and love our kids. 263 00:16:30,950 --> 00:16:33,510 Speaker 2: In no other relationship can we get away with making 264 00:16:33,570 --> 00:16:36,620 Speaker 2: declarations about actions. You can't just tell your boss you're 265 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:38,340 Speaker 2: going to do something. You actually have to put your 266 00:16:38,380 --> 00:16:41,380 Speaker 2: money where your mouth is. So for Jesus to attach 267 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 2: action to a relationship brings him in closer. It's not 268 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,780 Speaker 2: a work-based faith. It's inviting him into a fruitful and 269 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,380 Speaker 2: actionable relationship. And this is the heart behind Jesus' words 270 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,900 Speaker 2: in John 14, 15, where he says, if you love me, 271 00:16:54,920 --> 00:16:58,400 Speaker 2: you will keep my commandments. Jesus isn't creating some standard 272 00:16:58,420 --> 00:17:01,300 Speaker 2: for Peter to meet. He is completing the restorative process 273 00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:05,449 Speaker 2: by commissioning him and entrusting something to him. Jesus is 274 00:17:05,490 --> 00:17:09,290 Speaker 2: forgiving Peter and then entrusting him with something great. Our 275 00:17:09,410 --> 00:17:13,190 Speaker 2: faith requires that we run from something and to something. 276 00:17:13,810 --> 00:17:16,449 Speaker 2: There's an old experiment with rats to see how quickly 277 00:17:16,530 --> 00:17:19,070 Speaker 2: they can go through a maze. Some rats were placed 278 00:17:19,130 --> 00:17:20,990 Speaker 2: in a maze where cheese was at the very end 279 00:17:21,020 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 2: of it. The scent of the cheese made the rats 280 00:17:23,380 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 2: go as quickly as they could. Some rats were placed 281 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,359 Speaker 2: with a cat in the beginning of the maze, and 282 00:17:28,420 --> 00:17:30,680 Speaker 2: so they ran as quickly as they could away from 283 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:32,899 Speaker 2: the cat. But then there were rats who had a 284 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:35,580 Speaker 2: cat in the beginning of the maze and cheese at 285 00:17:35,619 --> 00:17:37,739 Speaker 2: the end of it. Those were the rats that went 286 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:41,160 Speaker 2: through the maze the quickest. This communicates something about human 287 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 2: nature as well. It's not enough for us to run 288 00:17:43,820 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 2: away from something we're afraid of. We have to be 289 00:17:46,340 --> 00:17:48,940 Speaker 2: pursuing something as well. It's not a matter of just 290 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 2: moving on from our past. We have to step into 291 00:17:51,740 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 2: the future. Jesus wants to fully restore Peter by making 292 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,820 Speaker 2: him acknowledge his past but also giving him something to 293 00:17:57,859 --> 00:18:01,160 Speaker 2: look forward to. I would hate to systematize something like 294 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:04,460 Speaker 2: restoration into three easy steps, but we do see three 295 00:18:04,580 --> 00:18:08,060 Speaker 2: things here that Jesus invites us into the restoration process. 296 00:18:08,500 --> 00:18:11,850 Speaker 2: Step one is being reminded of God's faithfulness and invited 297 00:18:11,910 --> 00:18:15,389 Speaker 2: back into a relationship with him. Step two is deeply 298 00:18:15,450 --> 00:18:19,970 Speaker 2: considering and facing our past sins and shortcomings. And three 299 00:18:20,090 --> 00:18:22,669 Speaker 2: is being commissioned for something greater, being called up to 300 00:18:22,730 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 2: something instead of just called out for something that we did. 301 00:18:26,060 --> 00:18:29,179 Speaker 2: Do you need restoration today? Do you desire to be 302 00:18:29,220 --> 00:18:32,050 Speaker 2: brought back? Hear the voice of Jesus calling you to 303 00:18:32,109 --> 00:18:35,530 Speaker 2: remember his goodness, consider your past, and step into the 304 00:18:35,570 --> 00:18:38,330 Speaker 2: future with boldness. Let this be an encouragement for you 305 00:18:38,350 --> 00:18:41,060 Speaker 2: to stop running from your past. Face it, process it, 306 00:18:41,150 --> 00:18:44,090 Speaker 2: and allow restoration to have its full effect in place 307 00:18:44,109 --> 00:18:46,950 Speaker 2: of brokenness. As long as you keep it buried, you 308 00:18:46,990 --> 00:18:50,070 Speaker 2: allow it to have power over you. The resurrection is 309 00:18:50,130 --> 00:18:52,510 Speaker 2: meant to empower us to move forward, away from the 310 00:18:52,550 --> 00:18:55,669 Speaker 2: grave and out of our past sins and failures. We 311 00:18:55,690 --> 00:18:58,109 Speaker 2: don't move on by ignoring the shame. Rather, with humble 312 00:18:58,170 --> 00:19:00,870 Speaker 2: hearts and willing hands, we submit our lives to Jesus 313 00:19:00,970 --> 00:19:04,090 Speaker 2: and embrace his grace. Join us for our next episode 314 00:19:04,190 --> 00:19:07,110 Speaker 2: as Jesus gathers more of his disciples to teach them 315 00:19:07,330 --> 00:19:10,230 Speaker 2: about the resurrection way. We're going to conclude this part 316 00:19:10,250 --> 00:19:13,570 Speaker 2: of the Jesus podcast as Jesus ascends back into heaven. 317 00:19:13,990 --> 00:19:16,419 Speaker 2: Then we're going to usher in an entire new season 318 00:19:16,460 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 2: of the Jesus podcast. Thanks for listening. Be sure to follow, subscribe, 319 00:19:20,420 --> 00:19:21,380 Speaker 2: and share with a friend.