Jesus: The Gracious Redeemer (John 21)

Have you lived long enough to have regrets?

I heard a sermon open up with that line and I thought to myself... Oh, my, yes. I have many regrets. I’ve blown it in my lifetime in some pretty big ways and I am deeply ashamed.

Have you ever cried out to the Lord in your shame and in your regret like David did?
Psalm 25 (Of David) 1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame... 6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great... 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins...

How do you get over those regrets? Does time heal them? Does God forget them? Do you?

The Bible presents a real picture of people... people who blow it and live with devastating regrets. Such is the case with Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. I am convinced that the Holy Spirit inspired John to include this narrative as the final chapter of his gospel so that we might come to know Jesus as The Gracious Redeemer of those who have sinned and live with the shame. What we find out in the end is that the world is a library far to small to contain the works of the grace of Christ!

Jesus: The Gracious Redeemer
John 21

Through Jesus’ interaction with Peter, we learn four lessons about grace of Jesus.

1. The grace of Jesus pursues us in our sin. (1-8)

2. The grace of Jesus restores us to fellowship. (9-19)

3. The grace of Jesus calls us to follow him. (9-23)
    a. Jesus called Peter to ministry.
    b. Jesus called Peter to martyrdom.
    c. Jesus calls Peter to simply “Follow Me.” That is the bottom line for all of us.

4. The grace of Jesus is our eternal boast. (24-25)