The Great Comeback

God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So, you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power.

Acts 2:23–24 (CEV)

No one could come back from this. The night before Jesus died, he was arrested and sent to various trials. One of his closest friends, Peter, followed along. But instead of defending Jesus, he denied he even knew him—three times. Peter betrayed not only his best friend but also God.

Yet when Jesus rose from the dead, he brought Peter back as his follower. He forgave him and allowed him to be the first public speaker to tell of his death and resurrection.

And when Peter spoke, he pointed out that God had this plan all along. Before the first humans sinned, God knew he would send his Son to bring salvation. Jesus would be the perfect sacrifice to take the punishment of death, which we all deserve. But death was not his end; he would be raised to life, and he would have victory over all evil.

You may feel like there’s no coming back from what you have done. You may have deeply hurt the people closest to you. Maybe you refused God himself. Peter’s life shows us that God can wipe the slate clean for you. God isn’t surprised or overwhelmed by your actions, and he is willing to save you. He can forgive you, restore your relationship with him, and help you to be faithful to him.

You just have to be willing. You have to accept God’s plan, ask for his forgiveness, and believe he will forgive you.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Hollywood movies are full of redemption stories—times when the hero did something bad, but then it was made right somehow. Usually, the problem is solved by the hero fixing it himself. These examples pale in comparison to the ultimate redemption plan God put into motion to restore our relationship with him. Thankfully, we didn’t have to fix things ourselves—because we couldn’t. God had to step in. Think about some of your favorite movie plots and about how much better God’s plan of redemption is for us.

INSPIRATION

“When we stray from his presence, he longs for you to come back . . . he throws his arms open, runs toward you, gathers you up, and welcomes you home.”

—Charles Stanley, American pastor from Georgia

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Refer to the tabbed Bible references to read the passages today.

Psalm 34:22

Isaiah 43:11–12

Luke 22:22

1 John 4:9–10