Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CHILL (11/24/22)
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TITLE: A God of Second Chances | Previous Challenge Entry
By Art Fahy
12/01/22 -
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I told her that she did not know what she was saying. I pulled my tunic closer to my body. I thought it best to avoid any eye contact with any of the people there. Moving on I went out to the gateway when another girl saw me and loud enough for many to hear, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
My nostrils flared because of my anger. “I do not know the Man!” I thought what would happen now? Would I be taken away? Would I be beaten? My legs felt weak. I backed off from the crowd but that wasn’t good enough.
A small group moved toward me and said, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” I cursed and swore at them saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately I heard a rooster crow. Through the fear and the chills that rushed through my body I remembered the words that Jesus spoke to me, “Before the rooster crows you will deny Me three times.” I fled from the courtyard but the crowd noise echoed in my head. What was happening to my friend Jesus? I ran weeping bitterly. How can I do this to a man I love and followed for three years. Will I ever be able to repent? Please Jesus forgive me.
A short time later I was with some of the other disciples at the Sea of Tiberius. We decided to go fishing and fished all night. We were discouraged not one fish entered our net. Early the next morning a figure stood on the shore but we did not recognize who it was. He called out to us asking if we had any fish? We answered no. He told us to cast our net on the right side of the boat and we would find some. Reluctantly, we did as he instructed. He was right we were unable to haul in the net due to so many large fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to me, “It is the Lord!” I thought to myself this is my chance to beg forgiveness. I wrapped my tunic around me and swam ashore.
The adrenaline rushed through me. Questions cluttered my mind. Would Jesus forgive me? What would He do to me? A chill ran through me but it was a different chill than the chill I experienced in the courtyard. It was a chill of excitement.
When we reached the shore there was a fire with fish and bread cooking. We sat and ate. None of us asked Him who He was because we knew He was the Lord.
After breakfast Jesus asked me, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes Lord,” I answered, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus asked me, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
I answered, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
Then Jesus asked me a third time “Do you love me?”
I was hurt Jesus asked me the same question three times. I answered, “Lord you know all things; you know that I love you,” Again He said “Feed my sheep.” I pondered his words. Lambs need to be feed until they mature. Sheep need to be guided. He wanted me to be his messenger to lead people to Him. He wanted me to talk about His saving grace. He fed us the Truth with love and kindness and I was to do the same for others. A chill ran down my spine that Jesus restored me and gave me this responsibility.
Peter’s Denial Matthew 26:69-75
Peter’s Restoration John 21: 1-17
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