Peter's Betrayal

Imagine your closest, most trusted friend, throwing you under the bus. Betraying you in the most personal of ways. Stabbing you in the back to save his/her own skin. 

Imagine the range of emotions that would rip deepest into your heart. 

Disappointment, intense hurt, burning anger, unbearable rejection, disgust, and maybe even hatred. You know you could never forget, but could you forgive? 

Could you ever repair and return the relationship to where it was?  Do you want to? Could you ever trust again?

Human nature is to hate and get even. The world teaches to never forgive and certainly not to forget. We need look no further than Islam's hatred for Jews and Christians.

But our God is amazing. The depths of His love is truly beyond our comprehension.  His capacity to forgive and forget, is something that we will never understand on this side of Heaven. 

After Jesus was arrested, Peter was unfaithful to his Lord. He stabbed Him in the back. Cursed Him. Peter sold out the Christ, the Son of God, to save his sorry self. 

Peter was a wretch – no different than you and me.

In John 21:15-18 after his resurrection, Jesus is talking to Peter, when the following conversation took place:

"Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” 

Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep." 

Peter denied Jesus three times.  And here, he affirms his love for Christ three times. More than unconditional forgiving, Jesus erased Peter's betrayal, and entrusted him with His ministry.  What's more, Jesus set forth His expectations of Peter, to feed and tend to His flock.

Peter's betrayal (our betrayal) of the Christ was the most despicable deception in the history of humanity. Yet, through His love, Jesus not only forgave, he restored. 

There may very well be a Peter in your life, who betrayed your friendship, trust and love.  Your Peter is also in need of forgiveness. Are you willing?

Seeking and Following,

Dean

You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you, wherever you are, God has put you there; He has a purpose in your being there. Christ who dwells within you has something He wants to do through you wherever you are. Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.