And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72b

The gospel—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—was necessary because we are people like Peter. We can't save ourselves. We don't have the power within ourselves to be faithful and righteous. We all have sinned and we fall short of God's glory (see Romans 3:23). Falling short means we don't measure up to God's perfect standard. 

It is truly amazing that Jesus didn't give up on Peter. Jesus restored Peter. He lavished His grace upon Peter. Like Peter, God has showered upon us His indescribable grace.

We all have denied Christ. We all have chased after false gods. We all have lived for our selfish agendas. But God doesn't give up on us either! Jesus meets us where we are, just like He did Peter. He does not wait for us to come to Him. He comes to us! First we were loved, now we can love. He loved us first (see 1 John 4:19)!

Peter repented, he was forgiven, he was restored, and he endured to the end. Jesus didn't reject Peter. He didn't give Peter the silent treatment. He didn't tell him to earn and work his way back into fellowship. 

Those of us who more naturally focus on the works side of sanctification (effort and discipline in becoming more like Jesus) must be even more diligent in seeking God's strength to reorder our minds (see Romans 12:2) to savor the beauty of our justification (God declaring us righteous only because of Jesus).

Paul tells us in Ephesians that our justification is all by grace through faith! It is God's gift! It is not a result of works or effort. It is all because of Jesus, so in no way can we boast and take credit for our salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-9)!

So if we are going to soak in the beauty of our justification, we can never get over grace. We never entirely grasp it, we never really learn it. It always takes us by surprise. Again and again, we have to be conquered and captivated by its totality.

His kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4)!

• Read John 21:15-19. What does this encounter tell us about Jesus? What does it tell us about Peter?
• Parents, in what specific ways should your parenting be more grace-driven?
• Married couples, will you practice grace in your marriage? How specifically will you do that?