The Gospel of John


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The Gospel of John

Your Failures Can Be Redeemed Scripture: Read through John 18:15-18, 25-27 and 21:15-19 as a group. Introduction: When it comes to relationships, there’s no end to the list of things that can damage and break them apart. Anger, coldness, infidelity, lying, over-controlling, indifference, and jealousy are just the tip of the iceberg. It seems like so much can ruin our most important relationships. But what has the power to heal them, to put them back together once the damage has taken place? While society might point you in the direction of cheap tricks for fixing what we’ve broken, the bible really only has one word for it: forgiveness. Forgiveness is no trick and it’s definitely not cheap. In fact, the problem with forgiveness is that it costs us so much that often we’re not willing to pay the price to give it away. For example, when someone deeply wounds you, and they’re unwilling to make the first move in asking for forgiveness, the only real options you have are 1) let the relationship die, or 2) make the first move and offer forgiveness yourself. The offer of forgiveness, then, costs you immensely. It costs you your pride in having to make the first move. It costs you emotionally in having to absorb the other person’s wrong. Forgiveness may even cost you socially (reputation) or financially. In short, to forgive means that you have to “pick up the tab” for something to be fixed – even if the reason your relationship is broken is someone else’s fault. That’s the rub of forgiveness. This section of John’s gospel holds in tension all of the ingredients necessary for forgiveness to be offered to Peter after he denies Jesus three times. We clearly see a significant relationship damaged by Peter’s decisions. We find Jesus repeatedly wounded by his friend. The result of Peter’s cowardice is his own guilt, shame, and hiding. What would be the outcome of this episode? A terminally damaged friendship might be the easier choice. But Jesus never chooses what is convenient over what is right and good. In John 21:15-19 we see Jesus offer a 3-fold restorative “feed my sheep” to beloved Peter. This is Jesus’ way of restoring Peter, of acknowledging his cowardice and betrayal, while also redeeming and forgiving his dear friend. Of course, one should never forget what took place between chapters 18 and 21 of John in order to make forgiveness possible: namely the cross and resurrection. In order for Jesus to forgive his friend, Jesus would have to absorb the full cost of that forgiveness. Jesus, the offended party, wouldn’t sit and wait for Peter to come groveling. Instead, Jesus would humble himself, pay the debt of broken relationship, and provide Peter what his heart longed for: redemption and healing. This, then, is the foundation for healing every other human relationship. To the degree that we experience forgiveness in Christ, to that degree will we be able to offer forgiveness to others.

Reflection: Take personal inventory of your life, heart, and spiritual journey. Use these prompts / questions as a way to prepare for group discussions – or – for personal times of prayer. 1. How are you being controlled by bitterness, anger, regret, or fear in a relationship? Do you believe that your failures can be redeemed? 2. Are there relationships in your life that need healing? What would prepare you to take the first step of forgiveness in those relationships? Discuss: 1. What about the sermon stood out or impacted you the most? Do you have any follow up questions about the sermon? 2. It may be easy to misunderstand the pressure that Peter felt which pushed him to betray Jesus that night. Peter knew that Jesus’ life was on the line and that Peter’s might be as well if he was seen as too-tightly-connected to Jesus. The pressure, in the moment, was too much, and he denied knowing Jesus. Discuss the pressure put on our affiliations with Jesus. Do you resonate with Peter? How? 3. Jesus restores Peter in John 21. He equips Peter to move past his mistakes and look forward to how God might use him. From the very beginning, the Christian “saints” are broken men and women, fraught with fear, doubts, and despair. This is always the crew Jesus chooses to use. He’s not looking for perfect, he’s looking for repentant and humble. Discuss. 4. Jesus concludes his conversation with the same words he began his relationship with Peter, “Follow me.” Even after describing the pain and suffering ahead for Peter (v 18-19), Peter decides to follow Jesus. The forgiveness Peter received warmed his heart such that nothing would separate him from following Jesus again. Does a warmed heart motivate your following of Jesus? Be willing to share what drives your pursuit of Jesus. Apply: Are there people in your life that you need to reach out to in order to initiate forgiveness? A first step in the process is praying for these people. Prayer can soften you to take a next step. Keep in mind that forgiveness isn’t always reciprocal. You may initiate but someone may not reciprocate. But this isn’t the goal. Your reaching out with an offer of forgiveness is the goal. You’re asking God to use that offer in their life. But have no doubt that He’ll use it in yours.