The Weight of Unforgiveness: A Lesson from the Shore
Have you ever felt like you’ve let yourself and others down, and the weight of that failure is crushing you? Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, knew that feeling all too well. After denying Jesus not once, not twice, but three times, he retreated to the familiar comfort of his fishing boat, feeling like he’d blown his chance to make a difference.
But then, something remarkable happened. Jesus, resurrected and full of life, called out to Peter from the shore. Without hesitation, Peter jumped into the water, abandoning his boat and his shame, and swam towards Jesus. It was a moment of raw emotion, a desperate attempt to reconnect with the one he had let down.
As they shared breakfast together, Peter must have felt like an outcast, unworthy to be in Jesus’ presence. But Jesus, with His infinite kindness, saw beyond Peter’s shame and reached out to him. He reminded Peter that our limitations are not the end of the story; it’s where God’s power takes over. “I can’t” becomes “God can.”
In that moment, Jesus offered Peter a second chance, a chance to redeem himself and start anew. And with those simple words, “Follow me!” (John 21:19 NIV), Peter was given a fresh opportunity to leave his past behind and walk in the freedom of forgiveness.
The lesson from the shore is clear: we don’t have to be held captive by our mistakes. Through God’s mercy and grace, we can find forgiveness and peace with God. We can leave our shame behind and walk in the freedom of a second chance. Will you take that step today?
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