Restoration and Grace: Jesus Meets Us in Failure
Summary
Have you ever found yourself saying or doing something out of fear, only to wish you could take it back? Or maybe you’ve disappointed someone you love, or failed so publicly or personally that you wondered if your story with God was over. In John 21, we see Peter in this very place—returning to his old life as a fisherman after denying Jesus three times. Despite having seen the resurrected Christ, Peter is weighed down by regret and shame, unsure if he still has a place in God’s plan. Yet, it’s here, in the midst of his retreat and failure, that Jesus comes looking for him—not in the temple or on mission, but back at the lake, where Peter feels most disqualified.
Jesus doesn’t wait for Peter to get his act together. Instead, he meets him right where he is, recreating the scene of Peter’s greatest failure—not to shame him, but to heal him. The charcoal fire on the beach is a deliberate echo of the fire where Peter denied Jesus. But this time, instead of denial, there is restoration. Jesus prepares breakfast, offering dignity and forgiveness before Peter can even speak. Through three questions—“Do you love me?”—Jesus gives Peter the chance to affirm his love, mirroring his three denials. Each time, Jesus responds not with condemnation, but with a renewed commission: “Feed my sheep.”
This encounter reveals that Jesus’ grace is not theoretical or distant; it is deeply personal. He pursues us even when we retreat, meets us in our shame, and transforms our failures into new beginnings. Our value is not determined by our worst moments or our old identities, but by Jesus’ love and calling. The invitation to “follow me” is not revoked by our mistakes. Instead, Jesus invites us—again and again—to step into restored relationship and purpose, loving others as he has loved us.
Whether you feel like you’ve gone back to the boat, are trying to teach your children about grace, or are still seeking to believe, the risen Christ meets you with mercy, forgiveness, and a fresh invitation: “Follow me.”
Key Takeaways
- Jesus Pursues Us in Our Retreat
Even when we feel disqualified or have retreated to old patterns after failure, Jesus comes looking for us. He doesn’t wait for us to return in strength or devotion; he meets us in our places of regret and disappointment, showing that his grace is not limited by our circumstances or our sense of unworthiness. [10:23]
- Restoration Happens at the Place of Our Shame
Jesus intentionally recreates the scene of Peter’s denial, not to shame him, but to bring healing. What we avoid or hide in shame cannot be healed, but Jesus meets us at those very places, transforming them into moments of restoration and hope. The charcoal fire is not a reminder of failure, but a setting for forgiveness. [17:05]
- Grace Precedes Repentance and Restores Dignity
Before Peter can even speak, Jesus serves him breakfast, offering acceptance and dignity. This act demonstrates that God’s grace is not a reward for repentance, but the very thing that enables it. Jesus restores our sense of worth and belonging before we can prove ourselves, inviting us to receive his love as a gift. [18:16]
- Our Calling is Rooted in Love, Not Performance
Jesus’ threefold question, “Do you love me?” and his commission to “feed my sheep” show that our calling flows from our relationship with him, not our track record. Our failures do not disqualify us; rather, Jesus transforms them into opportunities for deeper love and service. Our identity is anchored in his love, not our achievements or mistakes. [24:25]
- The Invitation to Follow is Always Open
No matter how many times we have failed or doubted, Jesus’ invitation remains: “Follow me.” He is not finished with us, and our story is not over. The risen Christ calls us out of despair and into a life of mercy, forgiveness, and purpose, sending us to love others as we have been loved. [26:37]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:56] - Words Spoken in Fear
[03:11] - Disappointing Those We Love
[03:50] - When Failure Feels Final
[04:55] - Peter and the Resurrected Jesus
[06:08] - Returning to Old Patterns
[08:23] - Feeling Disqualified
[09:36] - Going Back to the Boat
[10:23] - Jesus Finds Us in Retreat
[11:38] - The Miraculous Catch
[13:26] - A Call Back to Peter’s First Calling
[15:46] - The Charcoal Fire: Echoes of Denial
[17:05] - Restoration at the Place of Shame
[18:16] - Grace and Dignity at Breakfast
[19:13] - Three Questions, Three Affirmations
[24:25] - Identity and Calling Restored
[26:37] - The Ongoing Invitation: Follow Me
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: John 21 and the Restoration of Peter
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### Bible Reading
- John 21:1-19
(Peter returns to fishing, Jesus appears on the shore, the miraculous catch, breakfast by the charcoal fire, and Jesus’ threefold restoration of Peter.)
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### Observation Questions
1. What did Peter and the other disciples do after Jesus’ resurrection, and what might this say about their state of mind? (John 21:2-3) [06:08]
2. What is significant about the charcoal fire that Jesus prepared on the beach? (John 21:9) [15:46]
3. How does Jesus interact with Peter before Peter says anything? What does Jesus do for him? (John 21:12-13) [18:16]
4. How many times does Jesus ask Peter, “Do you love me?” and what does he command Peter to do each time? (John 21:15-17) [19:13]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter went back to fishing after seeing the resurrected Jesus? What might this reveal about how failure can affect our sense of calling? [08:23]
2. Jesus recreates the scene of Peter’s denial with the charcoal fire. What does this tell us about how Jesus deals with our places of shame and regret? [17:05]
3. What does it mean that Jesus serves Peter breakfast before Peter can even speak? How does this challenge the idea that we have to “get our act together” before coming to God? [18:16]
4. Jesus’ repeated question, “Do you love me?” is followed by a command to care for others. What does this connection between love for Jesus and serving others teach us about the foundation of Christian calling? [24:25]
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### Application Questions
1. Can you think of a time when you “went back to the boat”—returned to old habits or ways of thinking because you felt like you had failed? What did that look like for you? [09:36]
2. Are there places of shame or regret in your life that you tend to avoid or hide from God and others? What might it look like for Jesus to meet you there, not to shame you, but to bring healing? [17:05]
3. Jesus offers grace and dignity to Peter before Peter repents or apologizes. How does this challenge the way you think about grace, both for yourself and for others? [18:16]
4. When you think about your relationship with God, do you ever feel like your worst moments define you? How does Jesus’ restoration of Peter speak to your own sense of identity and worth? [24:25]
5. Jesus’ invitation to “follow me” is open even after failure. What would it look like for you to accept that invitation again this week, in a specific area of your life? [26:37]
6. If you are a parent or mentor, how can you use this story to teach children or others about grace and second chances? What practical steps could you take this week? [10:53]
7. Jesus connects loving him with loving and serving others. What is one concrete way you can “feed his sheep” or show love to someone in your life this week? [25:33]
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Closing Thought:
No matter where you are—whether you feel like you’ve failed, are trying to teach others about grace, or are still seeking to believe—Jesus meets you with mercy, forgiveness, and a fresh invitation: “Follow me.”
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Finds Us Even in Our Failure
No matter how far we feel we've fallen or how much we've retreated into old patterns after disappointment, Jesus comes looking for us—not just in our moments of devotion, but even when we feel disqualified or ashamed. He meets us right where we are, even when we go back to what is familiar or comfortable, reminding us that His grace is not reserved for the perfect but is extended to the broken and the weary. Jesus does not wait for us to get our act together before drawing near; instead, He seeks us out in our lowest moments, offering hope and restoration. [10:40]
John 21:1-3 (ESV)
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel tempted to retreat or return to old habits after failure, and how might you invite Jesus to meet you there today?
Day 2: Jesus Heals Our Shame and Restores Our Dignity
Jesus does not avoid the places of our deepest regret; instead, He gently recreates those moments, not to shame us, but to heal us. By meeting Peter at a charcoal fire—the very setting of his denial—Jesus shows that what we avoid does not get healed, and that He is willing to step into our shame to transform it. He offers us dignity and provision even before we can say a word, demonstrating that His forgiveness and love are greater than our worst moments. [17:05]
John 21:9-14 (ESV)
When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Reflection: Is there a place of shame or regret in your life that you have been avoiding? How might you allow Jesus to meet you there and begin the process of healing?
Day 3: Love and Restoration Come Before Mission
Jesus’ restoration of Peter is not just about forgiveness, but about renewing his calling and identity. By asking Peter three times, “Do you love me?” and commissioning him to care for others, Jesus transforms Peter’s greatest failure into the foundation for his future mission. Our value is not based on what we can do for God, but on our love for Him, and from that love, we are sent to love and serve others as He has loved us. [23:06]
John 21:15-17 (ESV)
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.” 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.” 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.”
Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can tangibly care for or serve today as an expression of your love for Jesus?
Day 4: You Are Not Defined by Your Worst Moment
Jesus makes it clear that our identity is not rooted in our failures or our past, but in His love and calling. He reminds Peter—and us—that we are not our old selves, nor are we defined by our mistakes; instead, our worth and purpose are established by His grace and our relationship with Him. No matter what has happened, Jesus invites us to step into a new story, one where our past is not the end, but the beginning of renewed purpose. [24:25]
Romans 8:1 (ESV)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What negative label or past mistake have you allowed to define you, and how can you embrace Jesus’ declaration of your new identity today?
Day 5: The Invitation to Follow Jesus Is Always Open
No matter how many times we have failed or doubted, Jesus continues to call us to follow Him. He is not waiting with a list of our sins, but with an invitation to a restored relationship and a renewed mission. The risen Christ saves us not only from death, but from despair, and He invites us—again and again—to accept His mercy and choose to follow Him into a life of grace, forgiveness, and purpose. [26:19]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him, even if you feel unworthy or uncertain?
Quotes
If you've ever felt the weight of failure or wondered whether your relationship with Jesus could survive your worst moment, then today's passage is for you. You see, we're looking at John 21, the story of Peter and the resurrected Jesus. A story that includes a conversation over breakfast, uh a fire on the beach, and three simple yet piercing questions. In this moment, it wasn't just about Peter. Just as much as the Bible isn't about you or me, uh, this moment is really about Jesus and what he does with broken disciples. [00:04:44]
And as we look through our passage of scripture today, what we'll see is this. The grace of Jesus isn't some kind of theory or or or or lofty ideal. It's actually deeply personal because Jesus meets people in their regret. Jesus builds relationship with mercy. But most importantly, Jesus invites people again and again and again to follow him. [00:05:25]
So here we are post resurrection. Jesus has already appeared twice to his disciples. And yet here we find them kind of still just sitting and waiting and doing really nothing. And so Peter, Mr. I always got to be doing something and always got to be keeping busy. And that's just the how I picture Peter to be, right? [00:06:46]
Many scholars suggest it wasn't about passing the time, even though that's usually why I go fishing. Yesterday, I got to go fishing for the first time uh since the fishing opener. And I was I was just enjoying it. That's what I love about fishing cuz you just let time pass just throw it even if I don't catch anything just kind of going right anyone you know you get it right cuz fishing fishing is great passing the time now many scholars don't uh think that that's actually what it was about it was actually about going back to what they know. [00:07:38]
Listen I wonder if Peter announced that he was going back to going fishing because he thinks he has been disqualified from being considered a disciple of Jesus. Yeah, I saw Jesus resurrected and he was like, "Yeah, Thomas, believe in me." Blah, blah, blah. And Peter was sitting there like, "Oh my goodness, he's risen. He is Lord, and I deny him three times." [00:08:16]
One Bible scholar makes a point to suggest that John is actually painting a picture of how devastated the these disciples were when he said this. He said these disciples had gone back to their occupation. If you catch us in the story what only to do what completely fail at that too. So it seems so failed at being a good disciples and they said well let's go back and least being fishes like actual fishermen. [00:08:48]
Have you ever been there where after failure, after heartbreak, or maybe after disappointment, you find yourself tempted or actually going back to a former you to what's maybe comfortable, reassuming old rhythms even though they may no longer fit. This is where Jesus finds Peter. Not in the temple, not living on mission, but back at the lake. [00:09:31]
And when I think about how Jesus reveals himself to Peter, James, and John, to me, this is actually a a beautiful display of God's grace because it means Jesus comes looking for us not only in our devotion. This is the good news. Jesus doesn't come only looking for us in our devotion but also in our retreat. In other words, Jesus finds us even when we think we've disqualified ourselves. [00:10:10]
Jesus finds us even when we've disqualified ourselves. Now, if you have an elementary child who's part of our kids ministry, we did say, remember this is reading the Bible together, a great conversation to have with them is discussing times that they have made mistakes and maybe wanted to hide and reminding them that Jesus doesn't wait until we're perfect to be near us. In fact, Jesus finds us even when we feel bad about ourselves. [00:10:40]
Now, at first glance, this seems just like another miracle of Jesus, but it's so much more than that. It's actually a reminder. This moment is is kind of a call back. If you're a person who loves storytelling, this is just great storytelling that John has. And really, he doesn't have to make it up because God is the great storyteller. [00:13:26]
It's as if Jesus was saying look, Peter just in case you're wondering I haven't changed who I am. And neither is the calling that I placed on your life so many years ago when I first said follow me. Like you think things have changed, but listen, I haven't changed. And I know between the time I first called you and now you're looking at your life and all the dumb living things you did, you fell in the water, you didn't believe, then got on the mountain and said those dumb stuff and you know God had to get humbled by me and then you you you deny me. Listen, I'm not done with you. I've not changed. [00:14:58]
Do you see what Jesus is doing here? He's recreating the scene of Peter's failure, not to shame him, but to heal him. Because Jesus knows this. What we avoid doesn't get healed. Jesus meets us at the place of our shame to transform it. [00:16:57]
So Jesus doesn't meet us in spite of our failures. He actually feeds us right in the middle of our shedding. In other words, Jesus gives dignity back to Peter and the other disciples even before any of them could say a word. [00:18:10]
And here Jesus is is is is walking Peter through the process of restoration. Not just forgiveness, but renewal. And notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say, "Do you love me?" "Yes, Lord." Now prove it. Don't mess up again. That's not what he says. He says, "Feed my sheep." [00:23:06]
Peter you are not your worst moment. You are not your old identity. Your value isn't even based on what you can do for me. Your love for me is actually the foundation of what establishes your calling. [00:24:14]
The risen Christ doesn't just save us from death. He saves us from despair. He feeds us. He forgives us. Then he sends us to do to others as he has done to us. Mercy over a campfire. That's what Jesus offers. And so let's decide today to accept the invitation and let's choose to follow. [00:27:13]
