John 18: 15-27
Reading through the last few Chapters of John this week I got to thinking about Peters’ denial of Jesus and there it was again – brave.
Oh my – what a situation to be in – how incredibly disappointed Peter must have felt in himself. Shocked and ashamed no doubt – at how quickly he had fallen from his grand announcement that he would be the one to stay with Jesus no matter what – even die with him if needs be Mark 14:27-3. – – What a heartbreaking, gut wrenching come down for Peter – an awful realising that despite his vehement love for Jesus and the strongest of intentions – he wasn’t able to follow through – a make or break moment when under pressure and in fear of his life – Peter had broken.
We’re there too – how often have I watched the shiniest of my ideals and the best of my intentions just float on out with the tide having been given a hefty shove by some sort of pressure. We are all capable of caving at times; we are all capable of sin and much of it.
When we have messed up – big time or little time – we know the only place to go is to Jesus – but this is what I think we do sometimes instead – we sideline ourselves, ashamed, embarrassed, kicking ourselves – we take ourselves out of play, put up the “out of service” sign, bow out, make a graceful exit -however you want to put it. We somehow decide that God can’t really use us because we messed up too big – like He didn’t know?
This is what I noticed about Peter the next time he is mentioned in John – –
He was still there – with the other disciples – in Jerusalem – in the company of the other men who had been called along with him – he hasn’t left town, he hasn’t excommunicated himself, he hasn’t done himself in – still guilt ridden maybe, still heart broken probably but – – – he’s still there. When there’s news of the empty tomb Peter runs to try and find Jesus, John 20: 2-5, when Jesus appears on the sea shore Peter is flinging himself out of his fishing boat into the sea fully clothed – all arms and legs – to get to Jesus. John 21:7
Peter didn’t let his epic fail separate him from his calling or his hearts desire to follow Christ – he was all in – a train wreck maybe but the only place he knew to be was with Jesus.
Peter’s brave – staying despite his failure.
In staying – Peter was fully restored by a heart wide open Jesus. John 21:15-19 Despite our best intentions we are all going to let Jesus down at times, He knows all about it – no need to put up the out of service sign – no need to bow out gracefully – the only place we need to be is with Him – is there any better place for Jesus to fix us up and sort us out than at His feet and in His service.
Lv Tracey
Some music today “How long will I love you” Don’t think it’s a Christian song – but beautiful words that I’ve been enjoying lately
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwbcQNjhEJc
Just a Reminder
No morning church this Sunday the 2nd Nov.
Meals
We are needing some meals prepared for a family in our church over the next week or so – please let me know (today if possible) if you can help so that so I can organise a little bit of a roster. Just email or you can phone on 0447330876. Thanks so much.