Third time’s a charm…
02/27/22
In this Sunday’s message on perfect love, the interaction between Peter and the Holy Spirit regarding what is clean and unclean highlights an important characteristic that I think we all can admit is present not just in Peter’s life, but in ours.
Peter was not one to get things right the first time. Peter was also quite reactionary throughout his journey with Jesus, which sometimes led him to do some things that leave us all scratching our heads in judgement.
I think if we can remove our wig and gavel, and instead of being the judge of Peter begin to relate to Peter, I think we would recognize how the transparency we see about Peter’s life is recorded for a reason. First, to show us that even Jesus’ closest followers were still human and still fell short; and second, to show the unending grace and love God has for His children.
Peter denies Jesus here in Luke 22:55-59
“Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly…”
Imagine being Peter, hearing the rooster crow, and recognizing that you had done what you promised to never do. The guilt. The shame. The desire to withdraw.
The moment of redemption for Peter gives us a beautiful picture of the perfect love that was the root of this sermon series. In that moment, Jesus pursues Peter, who is continuing to withdraw out of shame, and offers him grace for each time that Peter denied Him.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 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.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep… Then he said to him, “Follow me!”” John 21: 15-17, 19b.
Jesus presents to Peter (and to all of us) the invitation to go beyond loving the actions of Jesus. Jesus invites us to recognize the reckless love that He has for all His brothers and sisters, all of God’s Image bearers. With that love comes grace, forgiveness, and a new purpose. When Peter confessed his mistakes and confessed his love for Jesus, he received the invitation to go beyond following the accomplishments of Jesus and into a new life in Jesus that is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The invitation was simple. Live as I live. Follow Me. Feed my sheep. Love.
Jesus’ invitation to Peter (and to us) may be simple, but that does not mean it is easy. That is why we can sing about God’s amazing grace. As we examine what barriers we may need to tear down in our hearts, as we examine what it looks like for us to fully love God and love those who bear His Image, our prayer is that we would be a church that gives and receives grace and truth. That we would be a church who commits to the ways of Jesus, to walk this long path of obedience together as one.