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Monday, 28 Jan, 2008 — by Johnny Hampton

Hey all! 

Well, it's another week.  If you're reading this, then congratulations!  You've survived another week of life!  For some that is good news, for others that is bad.

For those who think it is good news - well, it is good news because last week was a terrible week and you are glad it's over.  You now have a new week to face, hoping for better than last.

For those who think it is bad news - you think it's bad news because you feel as though you are going to have to relive what last week was like.

I happen to have some good news for everyone, no matter where you're at this week.  After Jesus had been accused, beaten, tortured, and put to death on a cross, he rose from the dead.  Now, that's good news and I could stop there, but there's more to this amazing story.  Later, Jesus encounters Peter and a couple other disciples while they were fishing.  Now what was probably rollin' through Peter's mind over and over and over again were the words, "I will never disown you."  We know that Peter in fact did disown Jesus, not once, but three times.  Ouch!  That was a bad week for Peter, wasn't it.  Peter disowned Jesus thrice, Jesus dies on a cross, and now Peter is back in a boat doing a miserable job at catching fish.  Things were not going well for Peter!

Then, to make things worse, Jesus shows up.  "What?  Johnny!  Why would that make things worse?"  Well, you are right - that is an amazing thing, but think about it.  For Peter, this had to be incredibly humiliating, embarrassing, and awkward.  He knew Jesus knew.  Ever lied to your parents only to find out that they know the truth and you have to face them again?  That kind of feeling.  You'd rather just hide and not deal with it.

The cool thing about this story though is that Peter couldn't hide.  Jesus pursued Peter.  Jesus shows up and he's not there to rub it in and say "I told you so!"  Jesus shows up to do what?  Read John 21:1-19.  Jesus doesn't reprimand Peter, instead, Jesus RESTORES Peter and then says to him, "Follow me."

Two simple words.  "Follow me."

Have a bad week last week?  Hoping for a better one?  Do what Peter did after he heard those words from Jesus.  Embrace this call to love from Jesus.  Hear the words from Jesus every day this week, "Follow me." 

Be restored, follow Jesus, and have a great week!  That's good news we can all receive.

Peace!

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