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Good morning. A reminder that Jesus began and ended His earthly ministry by forgiving and restoring Peter amidst a pile of fish.
At first, Peter begged Jesus to "depart from him, a sinful man" but the end, Peter jumps into the sea to swim to Christ, anxious to receive grace.
At first, Peter begged Jesus to "depart from him, a sinful man" but the end, Peter jumps into the sea to swim to Christ, anxious to receive grace.
So with us: abasement and absolution for our own sin does not occur just once, but is a daily exercise.
Not to regain God's favor, but to rest in the grace which is already ours through Christ's life, death and resurrection.
Not to regain God's favor, but to rest in the grace which is already ours through Christ's life, death and resurrection.
As Peter himself writes in his epistle:
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you."
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you."
As Luther famously wrote:
"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ``Repent'' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."
Repentance is not a work, it is simply the process of returning to Christ's love daily, allowing Him to work in us anew.
"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ``Repent'' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."
Repentance is not a work, it is simply the process of returning to Christ's love daily, allowing Him to work in us anew.
That is why Jesus tells Peter, "Do not be afraid. From now on...." Rise from your knees and go about whatever tasks God has given you, knowing He sees your sin no more.
For wonder of wonders, God has come to dwell with us. He loves you. So repent and swim to Him once more.
For wonder of wonders, God has come to dwell with us. He loves you. So repent and swim to Him once more.
"For thus says the high and lofty One
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
'I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
~ Isaiah 57
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
'I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
~ Isaiah 57
