The Friend Who Forgives (Dan DeWitt)

The Friend Who Forgives

A True Story about how Peter Failed and Jesus Forgave

Do you ever talk before you think? Do you ever mess up bad? Have you ever let a friend down? Peter was that kind of person, too – he got it wrong again, and again, and again.  Who would want to be friends with someone like Peter?

Well, as Peter discovered, Jesus would.  He learned more about this one sad morning on a beach, that the Lord Jesus turned into a moment of joy.

Endorsement

“Beautifully illustrated, theologically strong, and importantly, kids will love it!” — Jimmy Scroggins, Lead Pastor, Family Church, West Palm Beach, Florida

How Do We Know this Story is True?

The four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – all tell us about Jesus’ exciting friendship with Jesus. But then Jesus was arrested, and Peter pretended three times that he didn’t know Jesus!  When Jesus was killed on the cross later that same day, well, it seemed like this was the end of everything. Peter would never have a chance to make this right.  But … Jesus didn’t stay dead.

The last chapter of John’s gospel tells us that Jesus came to find Peter and forgive him. Three times, Jesus asked him a question: “Peter, do you love Me?”  Three times, Peter replied to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”  It must have been hard to say after failing Jesus so badly.  But they both knew it was still true!

And that’s the story of how Peter became a forgiven ‘fisher of men.’  From then on, Peter wasn’t afraid!  He boldly told other people about Jesus and how they could be forgiven too.  Peter even wrote part of the Bible for us, so that everyone could read and learn about the friend – the Savior – who forgives!