When the Resurrection is not enough…
By Darren and Kami Palmer, Pastors
Faith Church

[April 14, 2022]   Nobody in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) gets picked on like Peter. All his flaws are on full display! When he sinks in the water, drowning, we are there to witness it (Matthew 14:30-31). When he sticks his foot in his mouth in front of Moses and Elijah, we are there (Mark 9:5)! When Jesus rebukes him and tells him that he’s lined up with the thinking of satan himself, we are there (Matthew 16:23)!

But the greatest failure in the life of Peter was not his little faith, his mindless babbling, or his senseless “correction” of Jesus. Peter’s greatest failure was on the night Jesus was arrested. This failure of Peter’s ran deeper than them all. It’s recorded in all four gospels. He denied His Lord. Three times. He couldn’t even tell the truth to a servant girl. He cursed and swore in anger. And when the rooster crowed, just as Jesus predicted, there was Jesus gazing at him across the way. Peter was stabbed through the heart, fled the scene and wept bitterly.

The wound in his soul would shape him for a long time. Can you imagine such a wound? Perhaps you can. Terrible failure. Regret. Deep sorrow in your heart. Life decisions that trouble your soul.

After Peter’s denial (that was Thursday night,) the greatest three days in human history take place. The suffering Savior lays down His life on the cross for the sins of the world. He bore our griefs and our sorrows. He became sin on our behalf so that whosoever would trust in Him could become righteous in the eyes of God! This is our hope!

On that third day, on Resurrection Sunday – Peter, along with John, was at the tomb to verify the impossible news brought to them by Mary Magdalene…

John 20:3-8
[After hearing Mary Magdalene], “Peter therefore went out, and [John], and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and [John] outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And [John], stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then [John] went in also; and he saw and believed.”

Jesus had risen from the dead! He was alive! (And He is still alive!)
Peter was thrilled that Jesus was alive. And Peter witnessed Jesus being alive several times in the next days. But Peter did a peculiar thing. He didn’t rally or rise up. He didn’t start preaching or gathering others.

Peter went back to what he had known before he met Jesus. Peter went back to fishing. It’s as if he was saying, “I’m not worthy to be a disciple. I’ll just be a fisherman. I can’t mess that up.”

Why did Peter do this? Because he had failed. He had denied his Lord. Even the knowledge of the resurrection – the most important miracle in the history of time – was not enough. Peter simply could not imagine that he could ever be forgiven. Broken beyond repair, he went back to his old lifestyle.

Friend, you and I are no different. Not really. It’s so easy to imagine God forgiving others. But me?! Really?! Can God forgive me? Perhaps you used to be in church serving God. But you were wounded. Perhaps you messed up in addiction. Perhaps your secret sin feels like too much.

In this wounded place, Peter was in his boat, minding his own business, when Jesus called out from shore: “Throw your net on the other side of the boat!” (He had seen this miracle before!) When so many fish came in that the boat began to sink, they realized it was Jesus! When Peter got to shore, Jesus pulled him aside. Jesus wasn’t ashamed of Peter. Jesus didn’t reject Peter. Jesus restored Peter. Jesus affirmed Peter. Jesus forgave Peter.

The resurrection was powerful, but Peter needed a Savior that would do more - He needed a Savior that would touch him right where he was. (Read about it in John 21.)

You might say, “Yes, I believe in God. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead.” And that’s an important thing to believe! But knowing that fact might just not feel like enough. You’re in the same place as Peter. You need a Savior that goes beyond coming out of the tomb. Thank God He's alive! But you need Him to get a little personal. You need a Savior that will touch you right where you are.

There’s good news - Jesus is just that kind of Savior. In fact, the very reason for His resurrection is to enable you to be resurrected! He wants to touch you. He wants to speak life into you. (I’ve had the privilege of watching Him do this over and over! It's still amazing.)

After he was restored, Peter went on to be filled with the Holy Spirit in a marvelous way (Acts 2). Peter was then used in tremendous power. His shadow even healed people (Acts 5)! Wow! He was the first person to bring the good news of Jesus to the Gentiles (most of us! – Acts 10). And in the end, Peter gave his life for his wonderful Savior. He died, not a failure, but a genuine follower of Jesus.

God has a future for you too. He wants to take you from where you are into all that He created you to be! He wants to forgive you. He wants to restore you. He wants to transform you. What Jesus did for Peter, He will do for you!

I am praying for you. As a pastor here in Lincoln, there is no greater honor and joy than for me to watch God work amazing things in people just like you. (We’re all Peter, I think.) So reach out. We’re here for you. We want to be a part of your miracle. 217.735.5900.

Darren and Kami Palmer, Pastors
Faith Church