The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 18:26-27,
"One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, 'Didn't I see you with him in the garden?' Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow."
"One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, 'Didn't I see you with him in the garden?' Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow."
The account of Peter boastfully declaring he would lay down his life for the Lord, and Jesus prophesying that, to the contrary, he would disown him three times that very night is insightful. We read of the boast and the prophecy in John 13:37-38. Peter's disowning of Jesus the three times is found in John 18:17, 25 and here in John 18:26-27. The account is one that is captured in all four gospels.
The story finds its conclusion at the end of John's gospel, where many of us see Jesus reinstating Peter to his important ministry which will soon begin, John 21:15-17. Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loved him and with Peter's affirmation with each, Jesus commands him to care for his lambs, his sheep.
It is an intimate account of something very personal between Jesus and Peter and yet it is captured in Scripture for us all to read throughout the age. It seems to me it is a helpful account for those of us who, during a time of weakness may disappoint the Lord, disappoint ourselves and disappoint others.
The thrust of the story to me is not so much the lesson to not boast (a good lesson) but one of healing and reconciliation when we have run off the rails, reinstatement by our Lord who loves us, forgives us, and inexplicably chooses to use us for our own fulfillment, sense of purposefulness and satisfaction in life.
It really is quite an amazing account. How wonderful the Lord has had it provided for us!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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