Fashioned to Fail Forward

Have you ever observed young children playing soccer for the first time? Inevitably a child kicks the soccer ball down the field in triumph, only to realize they were running in the wrong direction.

Or maybe you have been in church, singing a worship song with great enthusiasm, thinking they were headed for the chorus one more time, but quickly realized the song was over when the only voice everyone could hear was yours. Unfortunately, you were singing harmony, possibly a little off-key. Embarrassing, for sure!

Maybe you sent a text or email to the WRONG person or sent it to the RIGHT person but didn't proof it first. For example, you wanted to say, "Stop at the admin office," but it sent, "Stop at the DAMN office." I did that. We all have a Voice Text error floating around somewhere, waiting to blackmail us, right?

We all fail repeatedly, but what we do with our failures determines our destiny.

Two men in the Bible failed Jesus miserably, all within twenty-four hours. Today both are famous, but for different reasons. One committed suicide due to his shame, and the other became a leader of the early church. Here's the back story.

Jesus shared a final dinner and a message with His twelve disciples and gave them the "heads up" of what was coming knowing the time of crucifixion was at hand. He shares this thought with them.

“When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." Matthew 26:20-21

He referred to Judas, who would sell Him out for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus then warned Peter and the other disciples that they would fail Him tonight. Peter didn't believe he could fail the Lord. 

“Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. "Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "Truly, I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." Matthew 26:31-35

The scene begins to play out just like Jesus said. First, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Let's read this account together.

“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. Jesus replied, "Do what you came for, friend." Matthew 26:47-50

 Next, we find Peter in the hot seat and quickly realize he will fail at not denying Jesus.

“Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said. But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. Then, he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"  

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away." Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:69-74

 Both were failures, LIKE you and me. We ALL live imperfect lives that require the grace of God to surround us. Was grace only for Peter? No, grace was available to both Judas AND Peter.

 Judas, feeling overwhelming shame, commits suicide, unable to accept forgiveness.

Peter, on the other hand, receives the grace of God (unmerited favor), is filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and becomes a leader of the church. He failed FORWARD.

“Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. With many other words, he warned them, and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”  Acts 2:38-41

 I have failed many times, and I bet you have also.

 Let's be like Peter and FAIL FORWARD. Accept forgiveness and get up and get going again.

 Let's be like Jesus and be GRACE GIVERS to those who FAIL. Call someone and offer forgiveness. You can change someone's life by being a grace giver.

 Encourage the person running in the wrong to turn around, and when they do, cheer them on.

 Don't lose hope if you read this and feel like a failure. Get back up and FAIL FORWARD.

Reach out if I can help you!

Liz