Only one human has ever made it through life without failure, and most of his peers thought he had failed miserably. It makes you wonder why we seem surprised when we or others fail. When I hear people say, "I like winners, not losers," I am reminded of how different Jesus is from that. He loves failures. If he didn't, he would have no one this side of heaven to love.

I have been studying the first letter of Peter in the New Testament, and I am fascinated with Peter. He was well acquainted with personal failure. He is probably our favorite failing hero simply because we can identify with him. He was confident (cocky) about his commitment to Jesus. He openly declared that though all the other disciples might fail, he would go all the way even to death. But when the pressure was on, barely moments after his boast, in the early hours of crucifixion day, he denied Jesus three times.

Peter wasn't disqualified from participating in God's mission because of his failure. It was his failure that opened the door to see the true nature of Jesus' love.

After the crucifixion, some women went to the tomb and were surprised by an encounter with a heavenly messenger who told them that Jesus had arisen. He also told them this: "But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee." (Mark 16:7).

Jesus wanted to see Peter, the failure. He desired a special appointment with him. From the later discussion in Galilee, we see that Jesus was not wanting to see him in order to rebuke or shame him. They talked of love and of feeding sheep.

Peter wasn't disqualified from participating in God's mission because of his failure. It was his failure that opened the door to see the true nature of Jesus' love. Knowing he was loved by Jesus regardless of his character flaws moved him to spend the remainder of his life tending the sheep that Jesus purchased with his blood.

I know you have failed. We are all in that category. Jesus wants to see you. He does not carry a scorecard. He eagerly wants you to know a kind of love that is foreign to unbelieving humans. His love satisfies our every longing and changes us from self-centered consumers to sheep-conscious disciples. Keep the appointment. You will never be the same.

No one is benefited by your guilt and shame. Jesus took that on himself when he was crucified. You actually honor him when you trust him for cleansing and forgiveness.

Go ahead. He is ready to meet you.