Beautiful Word: Your Daily Devotion

Daily Scriptural Insights, Curated by the Editors of CT | [View online]( [ChristianityToday.org]( [Donate]( [Beautiful Word Newsletter]( Thursday, March 09, 2017 Peter: The Fallible Rock [Sally Clarkson and Joel Clarkson]( Clarkson and Joel Clarkson&db=true) Today’s Verse Powered by the [New Living Translation]( “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter replied, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then feed my lambs,’ Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ Peter said, ‘you know I love you.’ ‘Then take care of my sheep,’ Jesus said. A third time he asked him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, ‘Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Then feed my sheep.’” John 21:15–17 [View in context]( “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” From Peter’s subconscious rose up the crow of the rooster. Failure, liar, traitor. Three denials of his Lord. Peter’s love could never have earned Jesus’ approval because he would always be prone to failing. It was only because of his master’s grace that Peter’s desire to do the right thing could ever be accomplished. Jesus wanted him to “feed [his] sheep,” not because Peter would never make a mistake, but because his love for Jesus was sourced first in Jesus’ love for him. Only in that power could Peter live and die for God. Peter stood, restored to ministry, and walked anew into his redeemed life. Maybe you know someone who just can’t seem to get it right. Maybe you’re that person. If so, God wants you to know something: You are justified by him. Of course you will fail; we all fall down eventually. You may even betray him by turning your back on him when he doesn’t answer your prayers the way you want or by lashing out at someone who has hurt you or threatens you. But your failures define you only if you focus on them instead of your Savior. It is in his power and through his kindness that you are able to do good and fulfill his purposes for your life. Let the burden of your own guilt drop away and entrust yourself to the God who can give you true forgiveness. Reflect: Read John 21:15–17. What failures in your own life or in your past seem to haunt you? What may Jesus want to show you through his interaction with Peter here? Pray: Focus a time of prayer on expressing thanks to God for his grace and restoration in your life. Sally Clarkson is the author of numerous books. Her son Joel Clarkson is a composer and editor. Adapted from [A Different Kind of Hero](, the companion study guide to [Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid Who and a Mom Who Loved Him]( (both Tyndale Momentum). © 2017. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. [Read devotions online]( | [Share with a friend](mailto:&subject=Christianity Today Women: Peter: The Fallible Rock&body= More for Women [5 Women Every Christian Should Know]( [5 Women Every Christian Should Know]( From Katharina Luther, who escaped a convent and became a radical reformer, to Amanda Berry Smith, an itinerant minister who was born a slave, these women changed history. Michelle DeRusha [Lent, Unplugged]( [Lent, Unplugged]( In a time of digital consumption, here's how the church can lead the way on healthy media fasting. Christina Crook Follow Us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [RSS]( [Subscribe to this newsletter]( In the Current Issue [March]( [The Benedict Option's Vision for a Christian Village]( [Gene Yang: A Graphic Novelist Caught Between Two Worlds]([Subscriber access only] [In the Image of Our Choosing]([Subscriber access only] [View Full Issue]( [Subscribe Now]( Christian Bible Studies [Life Lessons from Paul]( ) Study Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians with this pack that covers 13 sessions. 13 Session Bible Study [Beautiful Word]( Delivered via email to subscribers daily. [Subscribe]( | [Email Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Advertise]( | [Subscribe to CT]( You are currently subscribed as: {EMAIL} Copyright ©2017 [ChristianityToday.org]( Christianity Today, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.