Calling and the Life of Jesus

Discerning God’s Presence and Purpose

Your past—with all the pain, mistakes, and victories—is what God can use to help you understand your unique role in his kingdom. For example, consider the story of Peter. Peter was Jesus’ most passionate follower, prone to have moments of brilliance as well as crash-and-burn failures. You may know the story of Peter denying that he even knew Jesus, or that time Jesus called him “Satan.” Yet, despite these glaring mistakes, Jesus shows Peter how his failures can be redeemed.

It happens on a beach near the Sea of Galilee, when Peter and the resurrected Jesus have a moment to themselves. Jesus takes this moment to refine Peter’s calling once again:

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Scholars have pointed out that Jesus’ repetition of the question three times likely echoes Peter’s three denials of Jesus. Perhaps this was why Peter was hurt after the third question: he knew what Jesus was really talking about. 

But notice that it’s that moment of sadness where the healing for Peter could begin. It’s as though Jesus is saying to Peter, “These awful things have happened, yes. But that doesn’t mean we’re through. In fact, because of your failures, you will actually glorify me more than you could have before.” 

Do you believe that God can redeem the pain, heartache, and mistakes in your past? If you’re willing to be open and honest, vulnerable and willing, he will. 

By the end of this interaction with Jesus, Peter had been reinstated. He had a new mission and a new sense of purpose. By the end of this chapter, if you’re willing to do the hard work of being vulnerable and diligent in prayer, you will too. One important aspect of following Jesus is understanding how God has worked with your life experiences to form you into who you are today.

We often think our lives are chains of random, meaningless events. However, when we encounter Jesus, we realize that we have a God who is present in all of it—even the difficult times.

In this chapter, you’ll have an opportunity to plot out the main events of your life, with your discipler as a guide. You’ll begin to recognize what God has been doing and saying throughout your lifetime, even when you couldn’t see or hear him. As we start to see God in our own stories, we discover the unique ways we belong within God’s story. This helps us understand who we are and what we are uniquely called to do.