No Backsliding Is Too Far for Christ to Reach

The disciples had first hand experience with Christ and was on fire for him while they were walking with him. But what happened at the time of crucification and thereafter?

This is not just about them, it is also about us.

The ones who came forward.....

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus (John 19:38-39) were secret disciples. They were afraid to be publicly associated with Jesus while he was alive. But after his death, Joseph came forward boldly and asked for the body. That must have been extremely challenging, and it was not something that could have been done in secret.

Nicodemus followed Jesus in secret too, but he came forward when no one else was available.

Then there is Mary, who came looking for Christ. When Jesus called her name, she understood. Yet in John 20:17, he tells her, "Don't hold me." These are people who are passionate irrespective of what Christ gives them.

The ones who went back

Now let's return to the disciples. In John 21:2-3, they are sitting around, talking, unaware of everything the others had just lived through. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times, says, "I am going fishing," and the others follow him.

Even after experiencing time with Christ, they decided to go back to their old life.

So there are two types of people here: those who stepped forward in boldness, and those who went back to what they knew. Which of them would be chosen for the next assignment?

I wouldn't have chosen the second type. But Jesus was walking toward the second group.

Why Jesus went back to them

Why did Jesus go back to these disciples and not replace them with Joseph or Nicodemus? Why did he go back to Peter, the one who denied him?

On that shore, Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?", once for each denial, and then told him, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). He did not replace Peter. He restored him and gave him the mission again.

Chosen for his faithfulness, not mine

God did not choose me for his mission because he saw my faithfulness, but because of his faithfulness to transform me.

When he gave me my prophecy and chose me, it was not because of who I am. It was with all my shortcomings and setbacks. Peter was not chosen because he was flawless either. God will not replace me with anyone else for the mission he has given me.

God will never forsake me, and he will never abandon me. Because I carry his calling, I will continue to stand for him, and I will be used for his name.

The same Peter on the day of Pentecost

Look at Acts 2:14. The same Peter who decided to give up and go back to fishing was the one who stood up and spoke boldly on the day of Pentecost.

This confirms that no matter how far gone or bad the backsliding may seem, it is not far for the Lord to restore. If he could restore Peter, he can restore me. I will continue to be used, and such is the calling I carry.

Lord, restore me and my family as fireballs for your kingdom.

Here I am, Lord!