LEARNING FROM FAILURE

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. — 1 Peter 2:21-25

This passage carries more weight in light of reflecting on Peter’s denial. The Holy Spirit used the same man who denied Jesus three times to pen these words of instruction and encouragement. 

Peter is a testament to God’s mercy and grace. When Jesus foretold Peter’s denial, He also told Peter that He had prayed for him. He told Peter that even though he would betray him, he would also return to the Lord (Luke 22:31-34).

Now Peter writes these words as an encouragement to us. He thinks back to the night when he betrayed Jesus; the night he failed to follow the example Jesus gave us. By God’s grace, Peter not only began to follow this example, but would continue to do so until he gave his life for Jesus. 

What was Jesus’s example? He entrusted Himself and His situation to God the Father. Jesus did not respond in kind. When the servant of the high priest smacked him across the face, Jesus did not react in anger. He did not reprimand the man. Jesus did not demand His rights before the high priest. He did not threaten any of these people. Jesus could have done all of these things righteously, however, He did not. Instead of taking things into His own hands, He continued to entrust Himself to God the Father. He continued to submit to the Father’s plan.

Peter failed the night of Jesus’ trial because he trusted in himself. Now, he learned from Jesus’ example and entrusted himself to God the Father. You can see this change in Peter’s life when you read through the book of Acts. Peter spoke God’s Word with boldness and willingly faced persecution. 

Peter started that night trying to save the Son of God, but came to realize that he was saved by God’s Son. We were all running astray like sheep without a shepherd. Peter could identify with this, not only was he straying like a sheep, but he also denied the Good Shepherd. Our tendency when we sin is to run from God. We think that we need to clean ourselves up before we can turn to Him. However, to be restored, we must first confess and return to Him. He is the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

Peter came to realize this, he repented, returned, and was restored. He realized his actions and his sins were the reason Jesus had to die on the cross. May we learn from Peter’s example. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. He paid the price so that we could turn to Him for forgiveness, not run from him to try and handle it on our own. 

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned⁠—every one⁠—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. — Isaiah 53:6 & 12