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Peter and meSunday, March 16, 2008
Matthew 26:20-22
They were deeply distressed and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
Judas, of course, didn't give Jesus a chance to forgive him. But Peter's shame did not defeat his love for the man he'd loved and followed for three years. So, after his resurrection, when Jesus finally showed himself to Peter in the fishing boat and on the seashore, Peter ran to him, fell at his feet and received Jesus' forgiveness. Jesus challenged Peter. "Do you love me?" He asked him three times and each time told Peter to "feed my sheep." Finally he reminded Peter of his ultimate helplessness in the face of aging and death. "When you are old, someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go" (John 21:18-19). Peter's strength and self-confidence led to stubborn, proud denial of his own weakness. Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. Jesus both predicted his betrayal and forgave it. After these humbling moments Peter could live his life and lead others with more integrity and more transparency. He was far from perfect, and that was OK. So if my betrayal resembles that of Peter, I hope my path through Jesus' forgiveness will resemble his as well. Jesus sees me clearly even when I choose not to. If I keep my eyes open and my mouth mostly shut, He will show me more and more who I am and how to live. Today we throw palm leaves before you Lord, and fall to our knees in worship. And follow you. |
I'm amazed at myself, at my willingness to ignore the ways I betray Jesus regularly. I am not sufficiently sensitive to my own sin. When I don't acknowledge Jesus in my mind, in private, in public, the betrayal is as real as that of Judas or Peter. And then I pretend that everything is fine. "Surely not me!"