“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25
As we compare Simon Peter with the prodigal son we come to the final step of their journey back to the Master. It is a step that
neither thinks is possible because their sins are too heinous and the consequences too devastating for that ever to occur. They only hope to serve as a slave, forgiveness and love are too much to expect. This final step is what is impossible with man but is always possible from God.
Step 10. Restoration There are many lessons we can learn
from the Lord’s restoration of Saint Peter. First, we note that
restoration includes welcoming the sinner back into the
”fellowship”. That is true in both the prodigal son’s and Peter’s
situations. The prodigal son is brought back into the father’s house
and a great celebration follows. Before that celebration the son confesses his sin to the father. With Peter, the Lord has breakfast with him on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. After that time, Peter’s sin is addressed before restoration occurs.
Second, we see that restoration involves gentleness. Paul tells us in Galatians 6:1,“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” This is the attitude of of the shepherd who left his 99 sheep to rescue the one who wandered. Thus we see how Jesus demonstrates to Peter that He values him not based on his perfection, but on his willingness to follow, learn, and grow. The Lord’s restoration of Peter shows us that every believer, and especially those who stumble, can be forgiven and restored.
Third, we read in Galatians 6:1 restoration is to involve a spirit of willingness. The Lord does not look back and berate Peter for his denial. He does not browbeat him for his failures up to that point. The Lord deals with Peter’s heart. He challenges Him. Who does he love and who does he wish to serve? This is the same attitude we read in David’s heart after his sin with Bathsheba. In Psalm 51 David yearns for this gentleness. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
What can we learn? There are several important principles about restoration. Biblical restoration is the act of bringing some- thing back to its original state, emphasizing renewal and repair. In a believer’s case it is bringing him back into fellowship with God so that He can fulfill God’s plan to be made into the image of God. Second, the Hebrew word for restoration is the word “shūb,” which indicates a turning back from sin. Thus we see that the one to be restored must desire that return to God and away from sin. Third, we see that despite forgiveness of sin and restoration to service, God does not re move the consequences of sin.Peter would never forget his denial of the Lord nor would he prodigal son forget the waste of his fathers inheritance. Damage had been done and God leaves those consequences and those memories to serve as a constant reminder of the evil and damage of sin. Finally, we see restoration calls for a return to follow the Lord wherever that leads, whatever the
Lord may desire. God may not allow the same ministry as before. We are not to question where the Lord leads. He is the Lord after all. A forgiven, restored servant learns to focus on what the Lord leads him to do not what the Lord leads others to do.
Restoration requires a future focus from all involved. “ Old things are passed away.”