Don't Let Failure Stop Hope

 

    Everyone fails at something.  Even "good people" fail.  We let people down, fail in business, don't win every competition, or not meet God's standards.  No one is great at everything and we all sin.  You may not have anything in common with someone, but being created by God and sinning are two things that will have in common.  That is why we need hope and grace.

    Jesus was betrayed by all of his closest friends.  His entire family let him down at one point or another.  His siblings didn't even believe that he was messiah until after he died and resurrected.  Jesus new disappointment and failure from other people.  Yet, he loved them.  He forgave them.  Then empowered them to go on without his physical presence.

    The people in his life needed to see their failures, so that they would see their need for salvation.  If you think you are perfect, then why would you ever seek to change.  Jesus' closest friends were destined to fail him, so that his prophecy would be fulfilled.  It doesn't make it easier, but it can convict you when you do the same thing.  It is better to be convicted to turn to Jesus to seek forgiveness than it is to live in shame, agony, or a broken life.

    Jesus heart was human, but holy.  That means that his heart broke when his people failed him.  His heart breaks when you fail him.  If he was not God, his heart would have been shattered long before now.

    Peter denying to know Jesus was his worst moment in life.  It changed his path forever.  The others hid, but he tried to follow only to fail Jesus where Jesus could hear.  It was a heavy load that burdened him greatly.  

    Judas' betrayal was the worst, but it was only worst because he never repented.  He felt sorry.  He felt guilt that drove him to suicide, but he never repented.  His failure to follow Jesus led him to eternal misery where he will never find peace.  That is why his was the worst betrayal.  He could have found forgiveness like the others, but he couldn't even face what he did.

    Peter on the other hand did face what he did.  That is why in his misery when he heard that Jesus had risen he ran as hard as he could to the tomb.  He needed it to be real.  He needed to have Jesus forgive him.  It is what gave him living hope.  

    Peter's misery did not consume him because he found hope in the possibility of reconnecting with Jesus.  He didn't understand yet that that hope went deeper.  That hope is eternal.  He found grace in the mercy that Jesus gave him.  He sought Jesus and Jesus gave him what he needed to move forward in life.

    The hope is found in the personal relationship with God.  It can be real and it gives you a hope that nothing of this world will ever provide.  This hope is found in the gift of salvation.  It is always personal.  God meets you where you are and helps you find your way to live a better life of hope.  Then he will return and get you to bring you home when your time is done living here.

    Jesus went to Peter and to talk to him alone.  Jesus wanted Peter to never question his hope.  That meant that Peter had to forgive himself and know that Jesus had forgiven him.  He had to know it, so that he would never doubt his salvation.  Jesus and Peter always had a special friendship, but that is because Peter's heart was open and as pure as a child with Jesus.  He did some childish things, but he never stopped loving Jesus.  

    A true relationship with Jesus starts with you where you are.  It matures and helps you grow and step out of failure.  A true relationship with Jesus cannot be perverted by the world.  It is innocent like a child, but more intimate than any human relationship.  It is the only thing that can't be taken away from you by this world, so if you fail get back up and face Jesus.  He will forgive you and help you move forward.

Joshua 24:14-15, Proverbs 3:5-6, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 24:13-34, 1 Corinthians 15:3-9, & 2 Corinthians 12:8-10