Tag: Peter

Rebuked and Restored

Barbara Weber

John 13:36-38 WEB

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.” [37] Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” [38] Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.

Peter was deluded. He thought he had the faith to die for Jesus, but instead, he denied Jesus at his most difficult time. Jesus understood Peter. Jesus knew by revelation that Peter was going to betray him. But Jesus also knew Peter. He understood that Peter was impulsive and emotional. So, he reassures Peter that he will follow him later. Even in the face of his imminent trial, Jesus begins to restore Peter. Previously Jesus said Peter was a rock and the gates of hell would not prevail against him (Mt 18:15). But right now, Jesus tells Peter he is going to deny him.

Jesus also tells Peter he will follow him later. At that moment Peter did not understand that Jesus was going to the cross. Peter did not realize the severity of the moment. He is being his impulsive self and bragging that he will never leave Jesus. But as always, pride goes before a fall (Pr 16:18). So, with Peter, his arrogant boasting is prideful and leads to his downfall. When the critical moment comes, Peter denies the Lord.

Yet he was not kicked out of the Kingdom of God. He was lovingly rebuked and later he is lovingly restored.  After the resurrection, the Lord revealed himself to his disciples. He came several times and told them about himself from the Word (John 21). On one of those occasions, Peter and some of the disciples were fishing. The Lord called from shore about their catch and Peter immediately realized it was the Lord. When they got to shore Jesus was roasting fish over a fire. Jesus fed the disciples and then asked Peter 3 very difficult questions. He asks Peter if he loved him (John 21:15-17). In fact, he asked 3 times, the same number of times Peter denied the Lord. Jesus goes on to tell Peter to feed his sheep. Jesus not only restores him, but he also gives Peter purpose.

Lord, please forgive me for sin in my life. When my personality and character yield to the temptation to be ungodly, forgive me and restore me. Help me walk with you and honor you, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Humble Jesus

Barbara Weber

John 13:22-27 WEB

The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. [23] One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast. [24] Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.” [25] He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” [26] Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. [27] After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

Jesus had intimacy with his disciples. So much, that when he was about to be betrayed, the Apostle John leaning against his breast was able to ask him who was going to betray him. It’s refreshing to find this level of intimacy in the Bible. And it is astonishing. John was actually leaning on Jesus. That alone is incredible intimacy. A loving, respectful intimacy with God is a feature of the New Covenant. The disciples felt so close to Jesus, that they asked him who the betrayer was, and Jesus told them.

Jesus told them what was about to happen and then went on to show who the betrayer was. He dipped a piece of bread and handed it to Judas. Then he told Judas to do what he had in his heart to do. Jesus released Judas to betray him. Even with the apostle that is about to betray him, Jesus maintains a certain level of intimacy. He and Judas shared a secret. They both knew that Judas thought Jesus was a fool and someone in need of intervention. Jesus understood Judas’ greed and releases him to do his evil tasks. Judas did not shame or berate Judas, rather, like a sheep going to slaughter Jesus humbly tells him to go and do what he does quickly.  

Humility is a path to intimacy with Jesus. It was humility that led Jesus into great intimacy with the Father. Psalm 138:6 says the Lord stays far from the proud. In pride is the wisdom of the world. In pride, we rationalize our sin and delude ourselves. But with humility, we are pleased to do things God’s way. Humility does not lose hope when things are difficult. As things became more dangerous for Judas and the apostles, Judas used worldly wisdom to delude himself into selling information as to Jesus’ whereabouts. Had Judas trusted Jesus as the rest of the disciples did, he would have humbly followed Jesus, even to his own destruction.

Lord, save me from using worldly wisdom in my relationship with you. Let all my thinking be with humility and lowliness. Help me stand firm on the day of trial, not losing my hope. Forgive me for rationalizing sin and help me serve you gladly. In Jesus’ name, amen.