The restoration of Simon Peter - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
Luke 24:34.

The restoration of Simon Peter
Peter had denied Jesus three times. Then Jesus looked at him. Peter remembered Jesus' words and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61.62). How he must have reproached himself! How desperate he must have felt! Jesus was scourged, mocked condemned to death and nailed to the cross. He who had never committed any sin died the shameful death due only to criminals. And His disciples were confused, downcast and disappointed.

When women came to His tomb on the first day of the week, He was no longer there. He had risen. An angel said to them, "You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here." Then he added, "Go, tell his disciples - and Peter." (Mark 16:6.7). The mention of Peter particularly shows that the Lord was thinking of His unhappy, agitated disciple.

On the eve of that resurrection day the disciples reported that the Lord had risen and appeared to Simon. The Lord had spoken to Simon eye to eye. Simon had surely confessed his wrongdoing, and the Lord had forgiven him. How can we assume that? Because at the next encounter with the Lord Peter was the first to want to get to Him. The disciples were again at the Lake of Genessaret. Peter went fishing, the others joined him. Someone spoke to them from the shore, and they recognised Him as their Lord. When Peter heard that, he jumped into the lake to be the first with Jesus. Such a reaction shows that all was forgiven.

Forgiveness liberates! It was so then, and still is today!

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 11:1-47 · Psalms 84:1-12