18 May 2005 Devotion for Today “A Second Chance” John 21:15-19
Have you ever needed a second chance? A College football coach was faced with the possibility that his star player might be declared ineligible for academic reasons. So he pleaded with the chemistry professor not to flunk the athlete. “Tell you what, coach,” said the professor. “I’ll ask him a question in your presence. If he gets it right, I’ll pass him.” The athlete was called in and the professor queried, “What’s H2O?” “Water,” replied the player. Frantically the coach cried out: “Give him another chance! Please give him another chance!”
Well, I think we can all think of times when we needed a second chance.
And we were so grateful to receive it. I am sure if you are like me, you hate to fail.
You hate not getting it right. Sometimes, it is hard to know what to do with failure.
When a vice-president of IBM came up with an idea to set up a separate division, he was given permission by the CEO, Thomas Watson. When he put the plan in motion, he promptly lost ten million dollars. He came in and told Mr. Watson that he was resigning, and when Watson asked why, the vice-president said, “Because this thing was such a miserable failure.” Watson responded, “You’re not resigning after I just spent ten million dollars on your education.”
Well, that is an attitude that we all appreciate. And it is the reaction that we often long for. We are glad for a new opportunity to get it right.
In John 21 we read about where Jesus gave someone a second chance. It was Simon Peter whom Jesus restored after he had betrayed his Master.
15So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
16He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. 18Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."
Jesus can take your failure and make you a success. He can turn it around for you.
If you have failed Him, you do not need to stay in that pattern. You can know His grace.
For… Jesus can take your old life and give you a new one. Jesus offered Peter new opportunity. He forgave Him and sent Him on to new responsibility. Perhaps, you need a new start today. Perhaps, you have fallen behind. Jesus is here today to make you a new creation, old things will pass away, all things become new. Jesus is offering you the opportunity to change. He is offering you the opportunity today. He is pursuing you. He is out to rescue you. He is ready to make your failures like successes. Now, the question is, “Are you willing?” Perhaps an even more important question is, “How many chances do you need?”
Have a blessed day.
Devotion for Today
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@earthlink.net
salembaptistch@earthlink.net
Web address: http://25621.lifewaylink.com
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