Reconciling GraceSample

Restorative Grace

Peter denies Christ three times and decides to take himself out of the kingdom’s lineup because he no longer felt worthy of God’s calling. Three strikes and he was out. Yet this passage paints a profound picture of God’s grace fully restoring him to a right relationship with God.

Before Peter betrayed him, Jesus promised, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18 NIV).

After Peter’s betrayal, Jesus had every right to hand those keys to someone else. But Jesus chose to pour his grace on Peter and restore him to his apostolic office.

Sometimes we gloss over today’s passage when it comes to restoring those who have caused harm to our homes, churches, and communities. I was born with two strikes before I stepped up to the batter’s box of life—a poor Latino child in a single-parent household. While living a life plagued by drugs, alcohol, and gang violence, I was warned three times by God that a devastating pitfall was headed my way.

Unfortunately, I refused to heed his warnings, and that pitch became imprisonment. I have experienced the most inhumane treatment a person can endure. This is also the place where I have experienced God’s restorative grace. This grace has also allowed me the ability to regain my humanity and the opportunity to change the narrative around mass incarceration in our blessed church.

At times, we forget that our place in God’s kingdom is secured by grace. We also forget that the same grace that was imparted to us can be poured into the most unexpected persons. Let us take every moment we live for God to remember his grace.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for restoring all of humanity through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We know that it is through him and by him that we are allowed access to your throne of grace. We ask you to continue to pour your grace upon each of us so we can be instruments of restoration for the sake of your eternal kingdom. AMEN.

Author

Alex Negrón is a published author, writer, and poet who seeks to be a disruptor of the walls that keep humanity from breaking the chains of systemic bondage. He is also a teacher and preacher who stands on the liberating power of the gospel.