Shame and Guilt to Leadership | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Shame and Guilt to Leadership | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
07/21/22
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Peter and several other of disciples fished all night beside the Sea of Galilee and came up empty. Dawn approached and Jesus was standing on the shore. He called out to the disciples inquiring if they caught any fish. They responded no. They were unaware it was Jesus. Jesus instructed them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They did so and pulled in a full net of fish. John informed Peter it was Jesus. Peter immediately jumped in the water and swam to shore. The others remained in the boat and pulled in the full net.

Peter was excited to see Jesus. At the same time, he must have been riddled with guilt and shame because of his denial of Jesus a few days before. Prior to Jesus arrest, Peter boldly claimed he would die for Jesus. When Jesus was arrested and taken to the high priest’s house, Peter warmed himself by a fire of coals. While there he was asked three times if he knew Jesus. Three times he denied he knew him.

I have professed my loyalty to Jesus just as Peter had. Then a time would come and I would deny his authority over me in some area of my life. Like Peter I failed. Peter’s denials and my failures are not the end of the story. With Jesus there is always hope of restoration.

When the disciples reached land, they saw fish and bread being cooked over a fire of coals. The smell and crackling of the fire must have brought back memories of fear and anxiety the night Peter denied Jesus.

After breakfast Jesus and Peter stood face to face. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him? The first two times Peter answered, “Yes, Lord you know I love you.” Jesus told Peter to feed his lambs and take care of his sheep. The third time when Jesus asked Peter the same question Peter was hurt. He answered, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” John 21:17 NLT. When Peter used the word “everything” he was aware that Jesus knew what was in his heart. With this exchange, the Lord forgave and restored Peter to a position of leadership. Peter will demonstrate, when he receives the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, his love for Jesus by loving God’s people and feeding them with His word.

I am no different than Peter. I have allowed my pride to say I was going to do something and then failed to do it. I have asked forgiveness for a sin and then turned around and committed the same sin over again. Just as Jesus forgave Peter; He forgives us of our sin. Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. Jesus is asking us to do the same thing. He wants us to live the way the Father wants us to live and to give our testimony about what Jesus has done for us.

Peter’s feelings of shame and guilt changed to peace and joy after he had the conversation with Jesus. Peter was fed both physically and spiritually. The adversity he went through because of his denial made him stronger and strengthened his faith in God. This conversation anchored Peter as one of the earliest leaders in the church. The aroma of the fire was now sweeter than when Peter first came ashore.

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