The Gate of Guilt

“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.’”—John 21:15-17 

 Guilt. Guilt is not fun. It imprisons the soul. It keeps the believer away from being effective for the Lord. Peter knew guilt. He had been one of Jesus staunchest followers, declaring that if everyone else were to desert Jesus, he would not. And even if death itself came knocking at Peter’s door, he would gladly lay down his life for Jesus.

Peter made his declaration of loyalty to Jesus at the Last Supper, but it was only a few short hours later when Peter’s words would be tested. Betrayed by Judas and arrested, Jesus was taken to the house of Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest. Peter followed Jesus and made his way into the courtyard of Caiaphas’ home, to watch the events unfold from what he perceived to be a safe distance away. It was at the moment when he thought he was safe that the unexpected happened. A lowly servant girl confronted Peter. She accused him of being with Jesus. Afraid at what might happen to him if discovered to be one of Jesus’ associates, Peter lied and denied knowing Jesus. In an uncanny demonstration of how sin distances us from our Savior, Peter moved this time a bit further away. Peter sought to maintain his observer’s post from a safer distance. This time another servant girl approaches. Convinced that Peter had been with Jesus, she declares aloud to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Unable to move any farther out of the courtyard without leaving completely, Peter uttered an oath, a statement sure to dissuade any further accusations, “I do not know the man!” Appeasing those standing by for a few moments, by keeping their doubts to themselves. However, his accent revealed his association! (Matthew 26:73)

Confronted a third time, Peter gave the most emphatic declaration possible, “I do not know the man.” It was at that precise moment, no sooner had the words left his lips, a rooster crowed. Bewildered at the sound ringing in his ears, he lifted his head to see Jesus’ eyes staring back at him. Jesus’ words, still so fresh from just a few hours before, hung in his ears and echoed through the depths of his soul, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times”—Luke 22:61b.

Denial. Desperation. Devastation. What was Peter to do? As the tears streaked down Peter’s face, one can only imagine the pain he felt. It was in this moment that he knew hope itself would soon be crucified, but would God soon be glorified?

The resurrection changed everything. Jesus rose again conquering sin and death. Hope was alive forevermore! Condemnation and devastation flee in the light of Christ’s resurrection.

The resurrection enables Peter to have restoration. Three times of denial, requires three times of being restored, “Do you love Me?” Peter replies, “You know I love You Lord.” Jesus gives grace and a purpose, “Feed My lambs.” Again Jesus asks the question, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” The wound of Peter’s guilt is fresh and painful, but the salve of Jesus’ resurrection is being applied to the wound. He responds, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." Peter’s denials revealed him retreating, now Jesus questions show guilt fleeing. Jesus responds, “Tend My sheep.”

Jesus asks a third and final time the question, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter, grieved at Jesus’ question, makes a new declaration, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Three times a sinner and three times restored, this saint has been set free from his prison of pain, demolishing the gate of guilt with the key of grace. Peter has been set free, restored to right relationship, and freed from guilt by grace!

How many in our world today, dear brother or sister, are prisoners of pain, cemented in their sin? How many are confined by guilt and need to be restored to a relationship to the risen Savior? Dear one, Jesus has given us the key of grace to unlock the gate of guilt. We need only ask and He will open. He will set us free. Those who come to Him in a spirit of repentance, He will by no means cast out. He will set us free (John 8:32). Amen.