John 21:1-19

            {Prayer}

            Throughout this Forgiving Challenge we have been working through the word SCARS . SCARS are marks that remind us something once went wrong.

            The acronym SCARS stands for Sin, Confession, Absolution, Restoration, Sanctification.

            Last week we talked about why we aren’t free. We aren’t free because of sin. Sin is missing the mark. And what we do after we sin determines whether we live in freedom or bondage.

            So, what do we do with sin? We deny it. We minimize it. We surround ourselves with people who tell us it’s no big deal.

            Or we blame. Adam blamed Eve and God. Eve blamed the serpent. It’s not my fault. It’s yours.

            You can try to cover it up. Keep it a secret. Stuff it. Manage it.

            What happens with any response outside of bringing it to Jesus? Bondage.

            And here’s why. Deep down, you know you are guilty. And guilt that isn’t brought to Jesus festers into shame.

            But there is another option. Bring it to Jesus. That’s confession.

            When we hear confession, maybe we picture a confessional booth. Or maybe the words we speak at the beginning of worship. “Most merciful God, we confess that …”

            God is less interested in your formality and more interested in your heart. He simply wants you to come to Him. Confession feels scary. But it’s actually an invitation to freedom.

            All of us are sinful. We all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).

            At the end of the day, confession is not meant for you to feel worse about yourself. It’s meant to lead you right into the arms of Jesus. When you realize that you are weak, you will see how strong He is. And Peter is going to show us that.

            Last week we looked at Peter and his denial of Jesus. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter was in the high-priest’s courtyard warming himself by the fire. Three times he is asked if he knew Jesus. Three times he denied it. After the third denial, Luke tells us that Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken … and Peter went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).

            We can only imagine the guilt Peter felt. He denied the One who had called him, walked with him, believed in him. Despite that, Peter’s story was over, right? Peter messed up. Jesus died. He would have to live with that the rest of his life. 

            Except Jesus isn’t done writing Peter’s story. In Mark 16:7, at Jesus’ resurrection, the angel says to the women, “go, tell his disciples and Peter.” And Peter. Tell everyone, but make sure that Peter knows.

            Even while saving the world, Jesus remembers Peter.

            After appearing to the disciples, Jesus appears again by the Sea of Galilee. Peter and the others fish all night. They catch nothing. A man on the shore tells them to cast the net again and suddenly it is full.

            Something clicked with the disciple John. This isn’t the first time a miracle like this happened. Jesus just recreated the first time He met Peter.

            When Peter realizes it’s Jesus, he throws on his outer garment and dives in. Peter doesn’t care what he looks like. He just wants to get to Jesus.

            And that’s the point. Jesus cares less about how you come to Him. He simply wants you to come.

            When they reach the shore, there is a charcoal fire. The only other time charcoal is mentioned in the New Testament is the night Peter denied Him. Jesus recreates the scene, not to shame Peter, but to restore him.

            Jesus says, “Come and have breakfast” (John 21:12).

            To eat with somebody was intimate fellowship. To share a meal with someone who wronged you was a gesture of forgiveness. Peter, I’ve made a fire, I’ve cooked a meal. I’m not holding anything against you. Let’s eat.  

            After breakfast, Jesus takes Peter aside and asks him three times, “Do you love me?” Three questions for three denials. Each one unwinding the failure. But where’s the confession? Where’s the “I’m sorry”?

            Peter was known for speaking. His best confession, “‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:15-16). On that confession, Jesus built His church.

            The worst confession … “‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’” (Luke 5:8).

Sometimes Peter got it so right. Sometimes he got it so wrong.

            But on that beach, by that charcoal fire, for the first time, Peter has nothing to say. And his silence says everything.

            And that brings us to us. Just like Peter, we often have nothing to say … but our silence before Jesus can still speak honesty to our hearts. I want you to take a moment to quietly reflect on your heart. Sin and confession are hard, I get that. But freedom beings with honesty. Consider these questions in your own mind, silently:

• Have I desired something God did not give me?
• Have I hurt someone with my words or actions?
• Have I carried shame I don’t know what to do with?
• Have I tried to numb my guilt instead of confessing it?
• Have I hidden sin rather than bringing it into the light?
• Have I believed the lie that I am beyond forgiveness?
• Am I clinging to something I know is not right?
• Is there a secret I am afraid to surrender?

            Paul writes, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Paul claims it. I claim it. We all can claim it. The moment we see ourselves as the worst of sinners is the moment that God is going to do something powerful through us. The problem is, we don’t see ourselves that way.

            Instead, reflect on this: When Jesus died on the cross, He died for all sins. Every sin. Every person. Period. Nothing is left out. No one is beyond His grace.

            As we prepare to come to the Lord’s Table, bring all your honesty, your burdens, your shame, your struggles, and all your sins with you. Lay them at His feet. This is where forgiveness is not just spoken, it’s received in bread and wine, in the body and blood of Jesus, for you!

            If you thought you were alone … you aren’t. If you thought there was no hope … there is. If you thought this was a church full of perfect people … it’s not. This is a church of forgiven people.

            We will not do it perfectly. We will bump into each other. We will fail again. But we will keep coming back to Jesus.

            If you want a perfect church, you won’t find one. And if you do, don’t join it. You’ll only ruin it. But here, imperfect people gather to cling to a perfect Savior.

            Here’s the truth about confession. God doesn’t care how you come to Him, just that you come. It’s bigger than saying the right words. It’s not something to fear, something to dread. It’s an invitation to just come. Come to Jesus. Be forgiven. Be free.

            He says:
                        My perfection can handle your imperfection.
                        My holiness is greater than your unholiness.
                        You are a mess. That’s fine. I can clean you up. You can’t make                         me messy. You don’t have the words? That’s okay, I know your                         heart.

            We deserve but grief and shame, Yet His words, rich grace revealing. Pardon, peace, and life proclaim; Here our ills have perfect healing. Firmly in these words believe: Jesus sinners doth receive. Amen.

            The peace of God, that surpasses all human understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, now and forever. Amen.