Jesus Made Breakfast

As mere mortals, we tend to have many of the same struggles when attempting to understand our relationship with God. I would suggest the most common is our feelings of guilt and unworthiness. Our natural tendency is to believe we have committed far too many or far too egregious a sin to ever be forgiven; after all, if we can’t forgive ourselves or others, how can God forgive us? Recently, the Lord revealed to me a series of events in His Word that I considered to be truly freeing and eye-opening. I pray and trust it would do the same for you. In Matthew 26, beginning in verse 31, Jesus tells His disciples that because of Him (Jesus) they (the disciples) will all be made to “stumble” or in the original King James Version “offend.” The Greek word is scandalizo (pronounced scandalize), which means entrap, trip up, stumble, entice to sin, to offend. In other words, because of who He is, the disciples will betray Him. Jesus goes on to say this is no surprise because it was prophesied in Zechariah 13:7 that it would happen: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” As we see in Matthew 26:56, the prophecy was fulfilled, as all who were with Jesus “forsook Him and fled.” The first point I would like to make regarding our failings is this. I do not believe God is ever surprised by our failings, our sin, our missing the mark—how could He be? He created each of us. As we see later in Matthew 26, verses 69–75, Peter having returned to the courtyard just outside where Jesus is being beaten, and the writer describes his actions as follows: "Then he began to curse and swear, saying, 'I do not know the Man! (Matthew 26:74).' ” The Greek word curse here is anathematize or to vow under penalty of execration or to bind with an oath. So Peter has, indeed, sworn and taken an oath before his accusers that he does not, nor has he ever known Jesus, let alone been one of His disciples. The very next act of Peter is truly one of great significance, for without it, Peter may have completely missed the mark. Matthew 26:75 ends with these words, “And he went out and wept bitterly.” The word “bitterly” is based upon the Greek word pikros, or sharp, acrid, violently. In other words, Peter, faced with his failure, went into a gut-wrenching repentance. My second point is this. We all fail. Even those closest to Jesus failed Him, and the reaction to our failure shows our true heart and our love for Christ. Sin should be naturally more painful to us than to anyone else; after all, we are the ones who missed the mark. Now the good news: there is more than a hope of restoration and healing with Christ. There is a promise and even proof. In John, chapter 21, the writer tells us that after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples went back to what they knew best and had the most confidence in—fishing. They had fished all night and caught nothing. Now these men who had seemingly failed Jesus were failures at what they knew best and no doubt riddled with guilt. Their hopes were dashed. They were fearful, and truly they must have believed God was punishing them for abandoning Jesus in His time of greatest need. Jesus, knowing this and more and seeking to restore these lost and broken men, visits them one final time and encourages them to cast upon the other side of the boat, and their nets were filled! Suddenly, they realize this man upon the shore is Jesus! Peter (the one with truly the greatest failure) is so excited he jumps out of the boat and swims to shore. He cannot wait to see Jesus! Now here is the most exciting part. Jesus was not mad. No, He had prepared them a meal. Jesus knew what these men needed in their spirit; He knew what they needed to satisfy their flesh, and He provided. No, He did not make them feel guilty. No, He didn’t shame them. No, He didn’t make them pay penitence; He fed them. He cared for their every need; He showed them love! These disciples no doubt have just experienced one of the most crucial points made in their spiritual lives. They suddenly experienced firsthand the grace of God. They, more than any others, now understand grace and will never be the same! My final point is this. Jesus is waiting to restore you with the same measure He restored His disciples. All you need do is repent, surrender, and accept, and He will care for your every need. Don’t let the enemy lie to you any longer. Jesus can and will forgive you, and He will do so much more. Jump out of the boat, run to Him, trust Him. He is waiting to love you, not shame you! Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Ministries, Navarre, FL