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In the footsteps of JesusTuesday, April 26, 2011
Acts 2:38-42 (from The Message)
He urged them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
Not any more. Peter may never have been particularly conservative in his lifestyle; he was known for his anger and outspoken outbursts. Jesus loved his personality. He saw the strength God blessed Peter with, not the ways Peter regularly abused that strength. Jesus knew the Gift-giver, so he recognized the gift. Peter really didn't know himself as well as Jesus knew him. "Upon this rock I will build my church," Jesus said of the renamed Simon Peter. The uncharacteristic fear that made Peter deny Jesus and run away while Jesus was interrogated, whipped and killed, seems now to have completely left him. The shame he felt over this betrayal was released and relieved by Jesus' confidence in him afterward: "Do you love me, Simon? Feed my sheep." With confidence, wisdom and discernment Jesus consistently cut through everything else to get to what God had put in a man or woman. Peter, John, Mary Magdalene, Lazarus, Judas, Martha, the woman at the well, so many of the ones he healed - he knew them well and loved them just how they needed to be loved. Freely. God does that. He knows me better than I know myself, and He settles for nothing less. His love is stronger than death, and I am drawn to him like a bee to honey. Sweeter than honey in a honeycomb, more precious than gold. You are, Lord. Your words, your ways, your laws, your judgment all draw me in to your house. Where there is living water and food to eat, and rest, and always life. |
3000 of them took Peter at his word. A very busy day for the insurgents, for the revolutionaries, for this new brand of zealot, fervent for Jesus. Fearless, and therefore very very strong, they were led by a former fisherman, probably a conservative business man in his home town of Capernaum, faithful follower and regular attendee at his local synagogue. A well-respected man about town, doing the best things so conservatively.