Good morning and a blessed Thursday morning to you. Would you open up your Bibles, please, with me to the Gospel of John, the 21st chapter.  

Success. We hear that term a lot, don't we? And the world can define success in terms of accumulations or achievements, power or influence. Like a child sitting in the back seat of a car on a trip. We can continue to ask, am I a success? Yet?

Have I arrived?  Am I a success? It's interesting when you look at the Bible. The Bible tells and talks about so many stories and examples of failure.

For example,

• we hear of Abraham and Sarah and their treatment of Hagar
• or Israel not worshipping God alone.
• Aaron making the image to worship.
• The action of Joseph's brothers,
• Achan failing as he stole the gold.
• David, with regard to adultery and murder.
• Leadership failures amongst the Kings of Israel and Judah
• Judas betraying our Lord with a kiss.
• Failures expressed by Paul and John regarding the church.

On and on and on and goes, story after story, example after example of a failure. A failure.

If we're honest, we're all failures. The failures because of our sin, or we confess our sin in thought and in word and in deed. What we've done and what we've left und done, we are part of that story. We are all failures.

I think, for example, of Peter. Peter said that he would never deny the Lord. Jesus said, you'll hide me three times before the cock crows. And is exactly what Peter does. But then we see the grace of it all, the grace that God brings into the situation.

Look with me, please. John Chapter 21. This account now is after the cross. It's after the resurrection. It's before the ascension of our Lord.

And in verse 15, we read this. "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep."  

To the very one that had denied him three times. Jesus comes and restores him. three times. With the call to ministry. You see, Peter's story of failure was not over.

Jesus came in grace. And our story is not over. For Jesus went to the cross and bore all of our sin on the cross. He took the wrath for our sin. His grace expressed to us forgiveness won.

God does not define success by the standards of the world.

God looks at you, baptized child, and sees you clothed in the righteous garment of the Lord Jesus Christ. God looks at you, baptized child, and he sees all of Christ's perfect life credited to you.  So when are we a success? See, we already are. We already are. 

Gracious heavenly Father, we give you thanks for this time in your Word. Your Word is truth. And we give you thanks, O Lord, for your incredible grace shown to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. We praise you and glorify your precious name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

May God bless you. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel