In His Footsteps Week 30: Forty Days

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Ever wondered how past mistakes could lay the foundation for powerful leadership? On the Living Words podcast, I promise you'll gain profound insight into the journey of Peter, whose story of denial and redemption reveals how love and forgiveness form the bedrock of genuine Christian leadership. By examining John 21:15-25, we explore how Jesus' unwavering grace transforms failure into a renewed mission, inviting all to embrace restoration with humility and compassion. Through Peter's public reaffirmation of love, Jesus illustrates that our missteps are not the end but rather the beginning of a new purpose. Tune in to discover how this narrative encourages us to seek forgiveness, assuring us that Jesus' grace is always ready to offer new beginnings.

As we approach the significant event of the Ascension in week 31, immerse yourself in a reflection of unconditional forgiveness and belief. Jesus' love knows no bounds, transcending every wrongdoing except unbelief, calling us to nurture a deeper, more profound relationship with Him. This episode sheds light on the teachings of Jesus during the 40 days post-resurrection and how they prepared His disciples to spread the gospel with love and compassion. By embracing this message, we are reminded that His love can overcome any feelings of unworthiness or unforgiveness, inspiring us to lead and nurture others with the same grace and compassion. Join us to be encouraged and uplifted by the assurance of new beginnings grounded in love.

Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, happy Sabbath.
This is Charles.
I'm your host this morning.
It's week 30 of In HisFootsteps.
This is the Living Wordspodcast.
Thank you for joining me, andthis is going to be a brief
devotional.
This week we are covering it'sweek 30, like I just said, and

(00:28):
it's the 40 days of teaching.
We know that Yeshua Jesus, herose on the third day, but he
didn't ascend until 40 dayslater and 10 days after he

(00:49):
ascended he gave the Holy Spiritin Jerusalem on Shavuot, the
day of Pentecost, 50 weeks fromhis resurrection.
The text is John 21, 15-25, andthis presents a powerful

(01:09):
narrative for Peter'srestoration.
After his three denials ofJesus, jesus graciously gives
Peter the opportunity topublicly affirm him three times,
mirroring his earlier denials,and commissions him to lead and
care for his followers.
Commissions him to lead andcare for his followers.
This highlights that failure isnot final in God's kingdom.
That failure is not final inGod's kingdom.

(01:33):
Peter's brokenness becomes thefoundation for his role as a
shepherd of the early church.
The restoration is part of abroader 40-day period where
Jesus, through multipleappearances, prepares his
disciples for their mission tospread the gospel and lead the
church.
John 21, 15-25 takes placeafter the resurrection during

(01:57):
one of the appearances.
So, after Peter's three denials, the moment serves as a
significant act of restoration.
Peter was burdened with hisguilt and he's given the
opportunity to publicly reaffirmhis love.
This passage is part of that.
40 days he repeatedly appearedto his disciples.
He taught them and preparedthem for their mission.

(02:17):
But in this specific encounterhe not only restores Peter but
commissions him to feed my sheep, which symbolizes Peter's role
as a spiritual leader of theearly church.
Some key themes and theologicalsignificance were the
restoration and forgiveness,which is Peter's threefold

(02:37):
affirmation of love for Jesus,mirroring his earlier threefold
denial, which showcases Jesus'profound forgiveness and grace.
The passage demonstrates that nofailure is too great for
Christ's redemptive power,reminding us that even on our
weakest moments we can berestored to our purpose.
Now the theme is love is thefoundation of leadership.

(03:01):
The repeated question of Jesus,do you love me?
Emphasizes that Christianleadership is grounded in love.
It is this love that drovePeter and the disciples to serve
, care and guide others in theirjourney.
The call to shepherd, jesus'command to feed my sheep
highlights the nature ofspiritual leadership.

(03:23):
In God's kingdom, leadership isnot about authority or control,
but about nurturing and guidingothers in their faith.
Peter's restoration reflectsthe broader responsibility of
Christian leaders to care fortheir communities with humility
and compassion.
And finally, there'spreparation for mission.
The passage is part of a broader40-day period where Jesus

(03:45):
prepared the disciples for afuture mission.
His appearances during thosedays, including this moment with
Peter, were vital in empoweringand instructing the disciples
to carry out the mission ofspreading the gospel.
One of the lessons is failureis not final in Christ.
Peter's restoration vividlyillustrates that, despite great

(04:06):
failure, the grace of God offersnew beginnings.
After Peter's three denials,jesus offered him three
opportunities to reaffirm thatlove.
The threefold affirmationmirrored his earlier denials,
symbolizing complete restoration.
And then he doesn't justforgive him, but he commissions
him feed my sheep.

(04:26):
This shows the failure does notdisqualify us from serving God.
Instead, when we turn back tohim in love and repentance, he
renews our calling and purpose.
His grace defines Peter'sfuture, reminds us that no
mistake is beyond redemption.
Our past truly does not dictateour destiny when it comes to

(04:53):
Jesus, yeshua and trueleadership is rooted in love.
In John 21, 15-17, jesusrepeatedly asked him Do you love
me?
Before commanding him to feedthe lambs.
The exchange underscored thatthe foundation is love, not
obligation or ambition.

(05:14):
The questioning by Jesushighlighted that genuine service
to others must flow from theheart that is deeply devoted to
him.
Each time Peter affirmed hislove, jesus entrusted him with
the responsibility ofshepherding the flock.
Showing the leadership in God'skingdom is not about authority,
but about nurturing and caring.
He does not emphasize Peter'sskills, knowledge or past

(05:35):
mistakes.
He focuses on the mostimportant quality love.
By repeatedly questioning thatlove, jesus made it clear that
love is the essentialqualification for leadership.
Love for him becomes thedriving force behind service and
ministry.
It is not motivated by duty,pride or position, but by deep

(05:57):
personal relationship with JesusChrist.
True leadership in the kingdominvolves humble, sacrificial
care for others, which ismodeled after the love of Christ
himself.
The passage revealed that lovefor Jesus must be the root of
all leadership and ministry, forwhich genuine care and guidance
flow.
And then restoration leads toresponsibility.

(06:20):
After Peter's threefoldaffirmation of love, he's
immediately given theresponsibility to feed my lambs.
The progression shows thatrestoration is not just about
forgiveness, but also aboutbeing entrusted with greater
responsibilities.
Peter, who had denied him threetimes, is now called to
shepherd and care for hisfollowers, having a vital role

(06:42):
in the early church.
So Peter's past failure was nota barrier to future mission.
Instead, it became the verycontext in which he was
entrusted with the care of theflock.
Grace and restoration Peterexperienced are the foundation
of the new role as the leader ofthe church.
It demonstrates that whenChrist heals and restores us, it

(07:06):
is not for our own sake, butthat we may be equipped to serve
others in his name.
Here's some questions.
How does Peter's restoration byJesus inspire you to seek
forgiveness and restoration inyour own life?
I think that it should inspireus, because it was a complete

(07:26):
forgiveness.
So when you seek forgivenessafter you've made some mistake,
no matter how bad, it doesn'tmatter.
You come to Jesus and he willrestore you, totally forgive you
.
He says if we confess our sinsto him and repent, he's faithful
to forgive us.
So let this example of therestoration of Peter, after his

(07:54):
public denials of the man thathe called his master, was
completely restored and he wasgiven a greater, higher purpose.
So what does the question do youlove me?
Reveal about the importance oflove as the foundation of your
service?
Do you love me?

(08:16):
That's all that matters.
That's all Jesus is reallyinterested in in your life is do
you love me.
That's all that matters.
That's all Jesus is reallyinterested in in your life is do
you love him?
And that's really the only wayyou can know him.
So what is love?
Love isn't always a feeling.
Love is guided by actions toohow you care for somebody, how
you relate to them, especiallylike in a marriage situation.

(08:39):
If you're married, how do youcare for your wife?
Maybe you've been married for50 years or 40 years, and the
love is much different.
It's totally matured anddeepened into something much
more than just sex or physicalattraction.
Because, believe me, at 60 and70 years old you're not that
attractive.
Because, believe me, at 60 and70 years old you're not that
attractive.

(08:59):
Some people are, maybe not me,but you know it goes beyond just
feelings and emotions.
Love is and that's just failurelove and you have gape.
Love, which is God love.
It transcends even that.

(09:20):
What steps can you take todeepen your love for him?
Spend more time in the word,spend more time in prayer.
Seek ways to feed his sheep,seek ways where you might be
useful to his kingdom.
That's how you can deepen yourlove.

(09:41):
Here's some suggested prayers.
This is a prayer forrestoration and renewed
commitment.
Heavenly Father, I come beforeyou seeking your grace and mercy
.
I acknowledge my shortcomingsand the times I have fallen
short of your will.
Just as you restored Peter, Iask for your forgiveness and
healing in my life.
Restore me, lord, and renew myheart with a deeper love for you
.
Strengthen my faith andcommitment to follow your

(10:03):
calling.
Help me to walk in your wayswith a renewed sense of purpose,
ready to care for and servethose you have placed in my life
.
May my life be a reflection ofyour grace, love and truth In
Jesus' name.
Amen.
Love and truth In Jesus' name.
Amen and a prayer forlove-driven service.

(10:24):
Lord Jesus, I thank you for yourunending love and example
you've set for us in servingothers.
And just as you asked, peter,do you love me?
I ask that you fill my heartwith a deep and abiding love for
you.
May that love be the drivingforce behind everything I do.
Teach me to serve others withhumility, compassion and grace,
just as you have served us.
Help me to lead, not byauthority but by love,

(10:45):
reflecting your heart in everyaction.
Strengthen me to care for thoseentrusted to me with the same
devotion you showed to yourflock.
Amen, and a prayer forfaithfulness in tending Christ's
flock.
Holy Spirit, guide me as I seekto faithfully tend to those you
have placed in my care.
Fill me with wisdom andstrength that I may serve with

(11:05):
dedication and love.
Empower me to shepherd otherswith the compassion and grace of
Christ, always aware of theirneeds and sensitive to your
leading.
Keep my heart steadfast andfaithful in this calling, never
wavering in my commitment tocare for your flock.
Let your presence be myconstant guide as I seek to
fulfill the sacredresponsibility with humility and
devotion.
Amen.

(11:28):
The next week is week 31, theAscension, and I hope this has
been an enjoyable few minutes inthe Word and contemplating the
things of Jesus.
I hope that it helps you tohave a deeper relationship and
to understand His lovetranscends any ill, any bad

(11:51):
thing that you ever could do,any action that you think
unforgivable.
It's not.
There's nothing that'sunforgivable.
The only thing that'sunforgivable is unbelief.
So as long as you believe, aslong as you confess and repent,
you'll be forgiven Until nexttime.