We’ve all had them. We’ve sent a text to the wrong number. We have fallen while sliding on ice. We slipped up our words and ended up saying something that made our faces flush red. We’ve all had awkward situations. Maybe you’ve been spared from those cringe- worthy circumstances. It’s possible that you have never tripped then hit your head on a folding chair in front of the entire school while accepting your “Most Improved in Spanish” award. (That might just be me.) Regardless of whether you’ve experienced an awkward moment, you’ve certainly witnessed one.

We are about to dive into a portion of Biblical text full of awkward tension. It takes place just hours before Jesus is arrested and put on death row. The whole group, Jesus and His disciples, have gathered to share one last supper together. That’s why we call it the Last Supper. I know, clever. Just before breaking bread, Jesus announces that, “All of you will desert me” (Mark 14:27). I’m sure someone dropped their bread as an awkward silence swept over the dinner party. Breaking the tension, Peter belts out, “Even if everyone else desserts you, I never will” (14:29). Peter made a bold promise that was, unfortunately, a promise that he was unable to keep.

I don’t even know if they shared dessert before chaos swept over the small community. Jesus was arrested by an army of guards, and the disciples scattered to escape. While Jesus was vulnerable and being held captive, Peter was spotted on a side street. Someone from the crowd interrogated, “Are you one of the followers of this rouge rabbi named Jesus?” Peter emphatically says, “No!” While the city slowly spirals into a riot, he is confronted again. He denies knowing Jesus a second time. Then, someone presses up against him and declares, “You’re one of the twelve men that followed Christ!” Peter gets angry, swears, and declares, “No, I don’t know who you’re talking about!” The moment the words left his mouth, image of the last supper flashed in his memory. He had failed. He had let his hero down.

Peter undoubtably felt like a disappointment after he disowned and denied Jesus. I imagine Peter looked at his reflection in a window and was disgusted by what he saw. He was called to be a leader, but he was actually a failure. He had said he’d die for Jesus, but he wouldn’t even acknowledge that he knew Him. He promised he’d follow Jesus to the end of the earth, but he wouldn’t even take up for Him in his hometown. Peter had every reason to throw in the towel and call it quits. Do you blame him?

The good news for Peter, and ultimately for us, is that this isn’t the end of the story. We just looked at the last supper, now let’s study the first breakfast.

READ: John 21: 14-17
Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” […] Jesus said, “follow me.”

While the disciples gather on the beach to eat one morning, recently-risen Jesus locks eyes with Peter. Jesus is with them on the shore. They have box seats to the biggest miracle of all time. They are all experiencing the awesomeness of God while also wrestling with the awkwardness of the situation. Peter had denied Jesus three times in a row, and now they are sitting right across from each other. All eyes are on them. Jesus gently looks at Peter and asks, “Do you love me?” He doesn’t just ask once, He questions him three times, mirroring Peter’s three denials.

Then Jesus goes on to say, “Follow me” (21:19). That’s it: just a simple statement with kindness in His eyes. Jesus doesn’t shout at Peter; he just extends the same invitation from three years earlier. “Will you follow me?” This acts as assurance that his behavior didn’t cancel his calling. Regardless of his failure, Jesus still feels the same. Jesus doesn’t give Peter a piece of His mind while berating, “Why are you such a screw up? Why did you leave me when I needed you the most?” That’s not what happens. Jesus just extends grace, mercy, and forgiveness over some fish sandwiches.

He extends a second chance to the denying disciple. Then he invites him on a new adventure with Him. This is our story too. Regardless of our failures, shortcomings, and mistakes, Jesus will give us another chance. When you get things wrong, just come back to Jesus. He will restore the relationship and help you grow from your failure. Let your failures move you forward. There is a clean slate after our mistakes because Jesus never runs out of second chances.

There is always grace. There is always forgiveness. There is always the invitation to keep following Jesus. Don’t give up on Jesus because He will never give up on you. Despite what you do, Jesus will never forsake you.

TALK IT OUT
Q1: What’s your most awkward moment (that you’re willing to share with your circle)? Q2: How did Peter fail Jesus? How did Jesus respond?
Q3: Have you ever failed Jesus? How do you think Jesus is responding to you?
Q4: What’s one failure that’s been weighing heavily on your heart or mind lately?
Q5: What’s one thing you can do this week to ask God for a fresh start in this area?