Changing the World Together: The Restoration of Simon Peter

A servant girl noticed [Peter] in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!” After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.” But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.  
Luke 22:56-62 NLT

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 NLT

Restoration looks like. . .


1. Having the Hard Conversation.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
John 21:15 NLT

Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,' you must forgive him.”
Luke 17:3-4 BSB

2. Reconciliation instead of Revenge.

Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter wept bitterly.
Luke 22:61b-62 NLT

 …Jesus asked the question a third time.
John 21:17b NLT

3. Getting back On Mission.

He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.
John 21:17 NLT

Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
John 21:19 NLT