Jesus Redeems Our Failures

In our Christian walk, there will be times that we will fail God or done things that disappoints Him in some ways. Apart from that we might also failed people around us by doing something that disappoints them at some point of our life. What situation in your life you would consider as failure? What about failing God? What is the connection between the two?

After discussion we realised that both perspectives share same/ similar cause factors which is the attitude involved. We learned that God can work in these small yet important factors attribute to our own failure as well as in the walk with Christ. He will turn things around for His glory, shaping us into the image of Christ

The bible reading last week was about how Jesus responds to Judas betrayal and Peter denial; the two disciples that failed him.

Judas Betrayal:
Mark 14: 44-52 and Mark 14: 66-72

When we are betrayed we tend to feel angry, disappointed and uncompensated, harbouring resentment and bitterness eventually might even lead to revengeful. However we learned from the bible study how Jesus responded to Judas betrayal. He faced the soldiers calmly and spoke with authority. He argued with them that had seized him and showed them the absurdity of their proceedings against him.

1. That they came out against him as against a thief whereas he was innocent of any crime: he taught in the temple daily, a public place where many has heard his doctrine. There was no perverse word but righteousness came out of it so why would they come against him as a thief.
2. That they came to take him privately, whereas he was neither ashamed nor afraid to appear publicly in the temple. He was none of those evil-doers that hate the light, neither come to the light, John 3:20
3. They also came with swords and staves while he is unarmed and have no plans against government.

Peter denial:
Mark 14:29-31

Peter was confident that he should not do so ill as the rest of Jesus disciples (Mark 14:29) He thought well of himself and trust in his own hearts even when Jesus prophesised about Peter’s denial. When Peter failed Christ, his repentance was speedy and he wept for his own act.

We then compare and contrast the scenario of Judas betrayal and Peter denial, both of them failed God but what is the difference?

Jesus restores:
John 21:1-25

Jesus forgave Peter despite of what he has done, He restored him with full strength and entrusted him with care of His sheep. He asked Peter: “Do you love me?” for three times, the love mentioned here is agape love, an unconditional love – this is Christ love for us.

This shows that Jesus is a loving and gracious God. He is a God of second chance. Despite we may fail him in our walk with Him, he will pick us up and redeemed our failure.

Conclusion:
Failures are not fatal. God is working in redeeming failures. Let failures produced humility in us. It will become the soil in which Jesus plants redemptive seeds of growth. On our side we need to encourage each other to:

1) Be aware of our walk with God
2) Not to be over-confident and prideful.
3) Repent when we realised we have failed him and respond rightly
4) Pray and rely on God to point out things that causes us to fail Him and for His restoration.
5) Reconcile and restore those who had failed us

-by Rachel-