This post stems from a recent conversation I had. It centered around the topic of behaviours versus grace in our faith journey. My last post spoke to the fact that Jesus met Peter where he was. There could have been a “dressing down”. After all Peter had failed. He failed badly. At the moment when Jesus was in the greatest danger, Peter backed out in fear and denied knowing him.

Now, post-resurrection Jesus faces off with Peter. His only concern is whether Peter really loves him. He knows the regret that lives in Peter’s head. Peter will always know that he failed. He will replay that scene in his mind for some time. But Jesus does nothing to address that.

Jesus prepares a fire, cooks breakfast, and then invites the disciples to join him.

Something special happens around a meal.

And something special happens when we’re allowed to come into the grace of God as we are.

Billy Graham seemed to understand this as we spoke to the crowds about their relationship with God. He used meeting after meeting the song “Just As I Am”. There’s an updated version which I have below, but the point is, we come as we are. Not with our act together, not doing everything right or having met all the requirements of any denomination.

No, we come, as we are and then keep on the pilgrimage! We are on a journey. We have not arrived, we have not lived without blame, we have the scars of life, the struggles of humanity upon us.

So, Jesus just invites us to the banquet and with the invitation comes grace. And we are “welcomed with open arms”.