The God Of Second Chances

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Matthew 26:74-75

On the night before Jesus went to the cross, he and his disciples ate the Passover meal together. Then as they walked to the Mount of Olives, he told his followers they would desert him that very night. Peter insisted that he would never do that. But Jesus knew Peter’s heart and what was ahead, and he replied with the words of verse 75, above. Just as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied him.

A few days after the Resurrection, Jesus prepared a marvelous breakfast for his disciples and asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” (see John 21:15-17). Jesus gave the disciple who had betrayed him so blatantly a second chance—and important work to do: take care of his followers and lead them in the right direction. Though Peter had failed miserably, Jesus didn’t give up on him. Instead, he restored him, filled him with his Spirit, and trusted him with a vital mission.

This is not the only time God gave someone a second chance. The pages of the Bible resound with stories of God’s second chances: Jonah; David, following his sin with Bathsheba; Hezekiah and his illness; John Mark, after he failed Paul on a missionary journey. Throughout history God has given second chances—to St. Augustine, John Newton, and in our time, Chuck Colson and Franklin Graham. Just as he offered a fresh chance to these people who made mistakes, he offers chance after chance to you and me. How many of us need a second (or third or fourth) chance in an area in which we mess up or make poor choices? Be encouraged—there’s no pit so deep or sin so dark that the Lord’s grace cannot reach us when we come to him with repentant hearts.

Thank you for your mercy and patience with me, a sinner, desperately in need of your grace.

My God is a God of second chances. I am thankful that although I sin, Jesus’ sacrifice has paid for my punishment. God has given me a second chance, and a third, and a fourth. . . . Can I do anything else but the same?

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