GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 24

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

*** ***

FROM REGRET TO RESTORATION

(Read Luke 22:31-62)

Jesus concluded the Last Supper with a promise that the disciples would eventually sit at His table in the kingdom and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.  But then He turned to Peter for a special, personal word:

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32.

If Peter was going to be restored, obviously the implication is that he was about to fall.  This news was not well-received, particularly by someone whose commitment to Christ was fervent, single-minded, and unquestioned.  He had all the credentials for being a winning member of the team, so he decided to reassure Jesus.

“Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!”

Jesus was not impressed.  Have you ever thought that God had a right to be proud of your commitment and promise of obedience?  We can keep no promises except those made in total dependence, recognizing our own frailty.  The usual pattern is, the bigger the promise, the bigger the fall.

You know the rest of the story.  Peter obviously:

 BOASTED TOO MUCH; PRAYED TOO LITTLE — he fell asleep in Gethsemane —

ACTED TOO SOON – he cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest —

FOLLOWED TOO FAR – from a distance–

 THOUGHT TOO LATE – he remembered the prediction of Christ only when the rooster crowed.

We read, “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter, then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him…..”

Why did Peter weep bitterly?  He was in the very presence of Jesus when he denied Him.  Jesus was within the line of his vision when the servant girl came and said, “This man was with Him too.” (vs 56).  There in the presence of the One he loved, he denied it, saying he never knew Him.

If such a denial is shocking to us, let us remember that he denied it a SECOND time!  When some bystanders were saying that they saw him with Christ, he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this fellow you are talking about!”  (Mark 14:71)  THREE TIMES! He swore he did not know his Lord!

Peter had been with Jesus three years.  He had shared the platform with Him at many large gatherings.  Jesus had healed his mother-in-law.  Peter had made that soul-stirring affirmation, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16).  Now the accusing tone in the girl’s voice brought from Peter’s lips a refusal to admit that he knew his Savior.  There was something about the look of Christ that tore at Peter’s heart.  Think of the shame and regret!

How did Christ bring Peter back into fellowship?  What were the dynamics of this encounter?  Thankfully, God draws back the curtain and lets us see what really happened on earth and in heaven.  In the process we are shown how we can come back to Christ, no matter how deep our guilt and regret may be.  Four truths should encourage us.  We’ll see those tomorrow.

*** ***

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

*** ***

Proverbs 18: 25-26

He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

*** ***

Isaiah 43:25

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;

And I will not remember your sins.”

*** ***

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

*** ***

1 Tim1:15

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord