Jesus Forgives and Calls Us Forward - Crosswalk the Devotional - April 9

Truths observed at the intersection of faith and life by Crosswalk.com editors [Crosswalk.com Logo]( Crosswalk: The Devotional [Devotionals]( [Newsletters]( [e-Cards]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Moving Past Our Mistakes with Hope and Purpose: Jesus Forgives and Calls Us Forward By Debbie McDaniel “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” [2 Corinthians 5:17]( In [John 21]( we read the story of when Jesus appeared to the seven disciples early one morning. It was just days after the Resurrection. They were out fishing, and hadn't caught a thing. Though they didn’t recognize Him, He called to them from the shore, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." v. 6 So they did. And a miracle happened. They caught fish. So many in fact, that they were "unable to haul the net in because of the large number..." Our God of miracles. That’s when Peter recognized Him. But here's what I love too. Jesus had gone before them, He'd already prepared a fire with fish and bread for them. He'd been there waiting. He invited them to bring some of their fish and then, to "come and have breakfast." v. 10-12 And over a fire and some food, He had a heart to heart with Peter. Three times he asked Peter if he really “loved” Him, the kind of self-sacrificing love that was willing to give all. The kind of love that involved deep faithfulness, commitment, strong character, and active expression. Peter, who Jesus had previously called a "rock." Peter, who had claimed he would never deny Christ, yet denied him three times in the courtyard before his journey to the cross. Peter, who was impulsive or fearful at times, yet strong and bold at other times. Peter, who was probably not feeling like much a "rock" that morning as he sat with Jesus. Defeated. Guilt-ridden. Sense of failure hanging over. Maybe still rehearsing what he'd done, and beating himself up for it. Living under the weight of the "what if's." And here he was again by a fire, possibly a reminder of the very fire that he'd warmed himself over when he had denied Christ. Yet this time, Jesus had pulled up a seat. He sat with him, ate with him, talked with him, and got right to the heart of it all. Three times Peter had denied him. Three times Jesus asked Peter of his love and re-commissioned him into a life of service and purpose. He forgave. He instilled hope. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( You May Also Like: [10 Ways to Murder Your Marriage]( Dawn Wilson The “weapons” that kill off marriages vary, but if we surrender to God’s wisdom and obey His Word, our marriages don’t have to die. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [9 Ways to Make Your Marriage Extraordinary]( Linda Gilden We know that God’s creation of man and woman to be together in marriage is sacred. It takes a lot of work to have a successful marriage, and you can’t have an extraordinary marriage without the contribution and commitment of both husband and wife. [CONTINUE READING →]( [Crosswalk.com Logo]( [Read about Salem Web Network]( | [Unsubscribe From This Email]( [Email Preference Center]( | [View in Browser]( © 2021 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 500, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk.com - The Devotional. [Link](