John 18
Scripture
John 18:25
“Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus was betrayed, taken prisoner, and was now being held for questioning inside the high priest's courtyard. Peter and another disciple followed suit. Peter was asked by the lady watching the gate if he was one of Jesus' disciples, to which Peter denied (his first denial). Then as Peter tried to blend in with the crowd, while warming himself around the fire, the people asked him if he was one of Jesus' disciples. Peter denied it a second time. Finally, one of the household slaves who was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off remembered Peter being there in the garden with Jesus. Peter denied it (his third denial of Jesus), and immediately a rooster crowed, just like Jesus said it would.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Jesus' love for us is UNDENIABLE.
As I read this passage, I couldn't help but remember how Peter swore up and down his love for Jesus. Yet here Peter is denying that he even knows Jesus... not once, but THREE TIMES!
Then I thought to myself, "What if someone who claimed to have loved me denied even knowing me?" Would I still have the same love for them as I had before? I know I would be hurt and devastated. I would have probably turned my back on that person in my life. But what does Jesus do? Not only does Jesus still have love for Peter, but he uses Peter as "the rock" on which His church will be built upon.
“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”-Matthew 16:18 NLT
Now Peter was not the only one to deny Jesus. I mean, what happened to the rest of the disciples when Jesus was arrested? Yes, that's right...they fled and hid for their lives! But once again Jesus demonstrates His love by not only welcoming them back, but by partnering with all of them to help build and further His Kingdom here on earth. It is a reminder to me that whenever I may feel I have failed Jesus, or feel too ashamed of my wrongdoings, He is always there to welcome me back with a love that is undeniable.
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”-Romans 8:38 NLT
Life Application
It's not about where I am at. It is about where I am going.
Too many times we let the enemy convince us of our wrongdoings and shortcomings in life. It causes us to feel too guilty to turn to Jesus. Instead we try to run and hide from Him. What we end up doing is pushing away the One person who is always willing to help us. This undoubtedly will lead to a downward spiral in our lives that can ultimately lead to our destruction.
So why not accept His help and guidance? Jesus is willing to meet us right where we are at in our lives. There may be some disciplinary actions due to our sinful acts, but a father loves those He disciplines. Just remember that Jesus has already paid for our sins. It's up to us to ask for His forgiveness and repent from our sinful ways. From there the sky is the limit to what He can do in our lives as we partner with Him!
Thank You Jesus for Your patience, unfailing love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Help me to not dwell on my past transgressions, which will cause me to run and hide from You. Instead help me to look forward, keep my head up, and focus on You. I pray this in Your name Jesus, Amen.