#2 From Denial to Restoration - Luke 22:54–62; John 21:15–19

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Scripture Reading

Luke 22:54–62; John 21:15–19 (ESV)

Luke 22:54–62 54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

John 21:15–19 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Reflection:

Peter knows the sting of failure. He promises loyalty, then denies Jesus three times—with oaths, fear, and distance. Luke tells us that after the rooster crows, “the Lord turned and looked at Peter,” and Peter goes out and weeps bitterly.But the story doesn’t end there.

In John 21, the risen Jesus meets Peter by a charcoal fire—the same setting as his denial—and restores him with three questions: “Do you love Me?” Then three commissions: “Feed My lambs… Tend My sheep… Follow Me.” Jesus doesn’t erase Peter’s past; He redeems it and reassigns him.

For worship leaders, this is hope for the ones who have blown it—morally, spiritually, or in leadership. Easter is not just about Jesus rising; it’s about Him raising fallen servants back into grace-filled calling.

Personal Questions:

1. Where do I feel like Peter—aware of my failure, shame, or regret?
2. How do I respond when Jesus asks me, “Do you love Me?” rather than “What have you done?”
3. Am I willing to let Jesus restore me and still use me, even when I feel disqualified?

Team Questions:

1. How can we cultivate a team culture where failure is met with grace and restoration, not hiding and shame?
2. Why is Peter’s story important for worship leaders and pastors in particular?
3. What does it practically look like to “feed My sheep” in the context of worship ministry?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You that my failure is not the end of my story. Look on me with the same mercy You showed Peter. Heal my shame, restore my heart, and teach me to follow You again. Use my story not as a disqualification, but as a testimony of Your grace. Amen.