Jesus, the God of Second Chances

Last night I spoke to the College and Career Youth.

The title of my talk was 

Jesus: The God of Second Chances.

Aren't you glad?

One of my favorite Bible characters

(and I do say that he was quite a "character.")

is Peter.

Peter truly loved the Lord.

Although just a little bipolar,

Willing to follow Jesus to death

or denying that he even knew His Lord...

Walking or the water, 

or sinking in despair.

Back to the boat, 

or feeding His sheep.

He truly loved the Lord

even though 3 times he denied Him.

There are several messages here, 

but bottom line is this, 

Jesus loved Peter.

I think that when Jesus looked at Peter 

after the third expression of 

"I have no idea who you are talking about?"

he looked at him with hurt, sorrow, but compassion.

There was no condemnation.

It was that look of love that drew Peter to repentance.

Peter is not mentioned again until after the resurrection.

While the other disciples may have continued to follow

at a distance, I believe Peter was out somewhere

pouring his heart out to God, repenting.

Peter has gone back to the only thing he knows-

fishing and mending nets.

But Jesus has greater plans for Peter, 

redemption and restoration.

That's really what the message of Easter is all about,

the story of Redemption, Restoration, Reconciliation

and Love,

a love that will never let us go,

continues to seek us and draw us to Himself, 

the love of a God of second and third and fourth chances. 

Easter

eggs, the promise of New Life.

Baby Bunnies,

New Birth.

Jesus-

our cover, our protection 

from the enemy.

Jesus-

Spiritual food for a hungry heart.

Life that sustains us.

He desires for us to eat at His table, 

until was are satisfied.

Today I am in awe of Jesus,

the God of second chances, 

Bonnie:)

The photos are from last year's Easter photos.