Read: John 18:15-18, 25-27, 21:15-17
Point: God will forgive me if I ask Him.
Holy Week: Early Friday morning (likely around 3am)
Devotional: Think of the last time a friend or family member said or did something hurtful to you. Even remembering a moment like that can bring back sad feelings. It is hard to show love to those that have hurt us, even if they did not mean to.
Jesus spent most all of His ministry with Peter by His side. On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Him, not once, but three times (just as Jesus had predicted). We may be tempted to think of Peter’s sin here as unique, but if we are honest, we have denied Jesus with our own sin many times.
When I think of how I have denied knowing Jesus in my life with words or actions, I feel like He could not possibly love me. The Bible tells us that just like Jesus loved and forgave Peter, He loves and forgives me, too! Even when we make mistakes or disobey, Jesus is there with arms open wide to forgive us with a forgiveness that He bought.
Pray: Dear God, thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your love for me that covers all my sin. You are so awesome and bigger than my mistakes. Help me to follow Your truth. Amen
Family Activity:
Read Ephesians 4:32. We know Jesus forgives us over and over, but He tells us to forgive others as He forgives us. This can be hard as the feelings are very real. Grab a dry erase pad, mirror, or even paper and pencil. Write down the name of someone that has hurt you. Then pray for that person and ask God to help you forgive them. Now erase their name as God erases our sin when we ask for forgiveness.
Want to take it a step further, write that person a note of encouragement, send them a text of awesomeness, or give them a treat and a card. There is nothing like the feeling of true forgiveness.
Going Deeper:
Much later in life (about 30 years after the resurrection), Peter wrote a letter which we know as 1 Peter. Read 1 Peter 1:13-23 to see his instructions on living the life God has called us to.