A CALL to come back...

One of the biggest reasons I stayed away from God for a long time was this thought I carried quietly inside me: I’m beyond redemption.

My inner voice would say things like, you’re a sinner, God doesn’t like you, He won’t be there for you, He doesn’t care for you. I’ve made too many mistakes, so why would He take me back? You get the meaning. If I ever tell the story of how I was actually led to the Lord, it would probably be hilarious, maybe for another day. But the guilt was real. And that kept me away, thinking I wasn’t worthy enough to come back to God. There were times when I wouldn’t even admit this was the reason. Instead, I hid it by mocking the way things are.

As I was writing this, I remembered the movie The Passion of the Christ. If you haven’t watched it, I would honestly beg you to, just to understand what Christ went through for us.

There’s a scene in that movie that always stays with me, Peter after he denies Jesus three times. You can see the remorse on his face. When you read Matthew 26, Peter’s denial feels very human to me. He’s cornered. People keep questioning him. Fear kicks in. Words start coming out just to escape the moment. First denial, then an oath, and finally cursing and swearing that he doesn’t know Jesus.

I can feel that moment.

And then suddenly, Peter remembers what Jesus had said. In the movie, there’s this brief glance between Jesus and Peter, and that’s enough. Peter goes out and weeps bitterly. Not normal crying. This is deep grief. Regret. Shame. That feeling of, I can’t believe I did this.

Here’s what I kept asking myself, why did Peter deny Jesus? And why three times? This is the same man who said, “Even if everyone stumbles, I never will.” Matthew 26:33

The answer that makes sense to me is this: God was removing Peter’s confidence in Peter, so He could build Peter’s confidence in God. One denial could be explained. Two maybe blamed on pressure. But three? That’s a complete collapse. And sometimes God allows that — not to destroy us, but so we never say, I stood because I was strong. Instead we say, I’m still here because God restored me.

After the resurrection, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” One question for each denial. Jesus doesn’t erase Peter’s failure. He redeems it.

But here’s the part that really hit me.

At the empty tomb, the message is: “Go, tell His disciples — and Peter.” Mark 16:6-7

And if you read carefully, there is a special mention for Peter along with the disciples. why?

The one who failed.

The one drowning in guilt.

The one who probably thought it was over.

Before Peter ever came back, Jesus already sent word for him.

That’s the gospel.

As you are reading this today, although you say you are Christian and follow Christ but actually not or someone who used to be a follower of Christ, If guilt is keeping you away, this is your call to COME BACK. If failure is telling you it’s over, it’s NOT. No matter what the situation or circumstance that might have put you off, please know that

JESUS IS RISEN and HE's CALLING YOU BACK.