Trouble MakersSample

//Do-Overs//

Quick question: have you ever bought anything from IKEA? I’m not a huge fan personally, even though their furniture is super nice; it’s sleek, it’s modern, it’s so beautiful to look at. There’s just one problem: “Some assembly required...” Trust me, that’s an understatement. You may have better luck solving a Sudoku puzzle using only your feet. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been halfway through a build and because I had misread or overlooked something in the directions I had to backtrack and start over.

It all works out though, maybe after a few tears... but it does.

There is this great story in John 21. At this point in John’s Gospel, Jesus has already risen from the dead and it’s one of his final interactions with Peter. If you go through the gospels Peter is kind of like Jesus’ “right-hand man.” But during the time that Jesus was on trial before his crucifixion, Peter denied even knowing Jesus three times in the same night!

Back to John 21. Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”, and Peter is hurt by Jesus’ questioning, especially after Jesus asks him the same question three times.

Imagine Peter sitting there, torn apart on the inside, knowing he’d do anything for a do-over, a chance to get it right.

Jesus is all about do-overs. Each time Jesus asks “Peter do you love me?" Peter replies and then Jesus responds, “Then feed my sheep.” Maybe for our purposes, Jesus would say, “then do something about it…”

Peter denies Jesus three times, and three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. Jesus gave Peter a do-over, and this time, Peter got it right.

Just like backtracking in your IKEA instructions to try and fix what you did wrong, Jesus can find your mistake, and fix it.

Jesus is all about do-overs.

1) REFLECT: Have you ever felt like you were unworthy to be used by Jesus? Maybe instead remember how Jesus not only restored and forgave Peter and know Jesus can use you too.

2) REACH: How could Jesus send you out to “feed sheep,” like Peter, what does that look like?

3) RESPOND: We all need a do-over from time to time. Invite Jesus to work in you, today.