“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” (Matt 26:34)...... Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. (John 18:27)
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” ( John 21:16)
Sometimes I find myself in a dark place, a sad place, a place of aloneness. Why? Because despite my declaration of faith, despite the fact that I am a Jesus follower, despite that I have seen God alive in my life and in the lives of many others – despite all that – I have in some way disowned Jesus by my actions. It’s like I reenact the fall in the garden –I believe I know better than God, or worse I act like I know better than God. I choose. Then I regret. Then I am alone. At least it feels that way.
I imagine that Simon Peter, one of the apostles must have felt deeply alone – when – as foretold by Jesus – he disowned Jesus. But then the resurrected Jesus entered the locked disciple’s hideout. “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” – John 20:19b-20) But Jesus had more for Peter – for each of the three times that Peter denied Jesus, Jesus had the same question “Simon son of John, do you love me?”. Peter had the same answer. “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” And Jesus had the same command, “Take care of my sheep.”
What happened? Was Peter given the chance to reaffirm his devotion three times as if each reaffirmation erased each denial? “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
What happened? Grace. Forgiveness. Purification. Restoration. Peter was no longer alone. No longer separated. Meditate on the story of Peter’s disowning Jesus and Jesus’ restoration of Peter. Read 1 John 1:9. Experience purification and restoration dear child of God. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Prayer Prompt: Dear Lord, thank you for paying the price for all our sins, for my sins. You and I know when I’ve disowned you. But now Lord, I confess my sins and believe - I claim - the promise of 1 John 1:9, that you will forgive me and purify me of all unrighteousness.
Song of the Day: Sunday is Coming - Phil Wikham
