Many people are saddled with guilt. We know that the answer isn’t denial, but where does relief come from? How can we accept the truth of being guilty without being constantly bombarded with guilty feelings?

Peter, one of the twelve disciples that followed Jesus, is an example of someone who blew it big-time. He claimed to be Jesus’ most loyal follower. He swore he would follow Jesus even to death. But when the chips were down, Peter denied Jesus in an attempt to save his own skin, even after Jesus predicted that it would happen. Peter rejected his best friend – would Jesus, in turn, reject him?

Answer:You may be wondering what happened to Peter. He’s the one who sliced off a soldier’s ear in the garden when they came to arrest Jesus. He’s also the one who, a little later, denied knowing Jesus three times.

When we last saw Peter, he was looking deep into the eyes of the friend he had just betrayed. Imagine the anguish in his soul at that moment! He had given up everything he had to follow Jesus, and he had promised to stick by him, even to death if necessary. And now he had crumbled when it mattered most. Overcome by sorrow and broken by the pain he had caused his Lord, he stumbled away in tears … and then promptly disappears from the story. Whatever became of him?

Peter’s story is awesome news for those of us who feel like screw ups. He is proof that failure is not the end of the story when it comes to God. You see, after Jesus came back to life, he and Peter had a little seaside meeting (see John 21). Three times, Peter had denied Jesus. Now, three times Jesus asked him, “Do you love me?”

“You know that I love you, Lord,” Peter answered each time, his voice cracking. And Jesus did know it. He not only forgave Peter, but he gave him a new job: “Feed my sheep.” Jesus asked Peter to lead and care for his people after he was gone. Peter went on to introduce thousands of people to Christ, he wrote two books of the Bible, and he was possibly the most respected and influential leader of the early church. He died a martyr’s death because of his rock solid faith in Jesus.

Do you feel like you’ve really blown it? Do you feel unacceptable or useless in God’s eyes? Then do what Peter did. Seek forgiveness and restoration. Take Jesus up on his promise: “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).

Further reading:
Experience true love and forgiveness
Who was Jesus anyways?