journey onWord with us

Do you ever come to a turn in the road and sense that your emotional tank is on empty? It may not sound spiritual to admit it, but I do. As you advance in your journey, I am inclined to believe that you (like me) often feel like you are running on fumes. If not careful, you will find that your emotional equilibrium has many “tank drains” with very few “fill-ups”. If you have followed Christ for any length of time, you can glowingly articulate key verses of scripture that give hope. But if you are honestly struggling to not “stall out”, something needs to change. My trust is the next few thoughts are just the journey fuel that you need this week.

Over the years a friend from another century has blessed me. He is my friend because of his mentoring in my life through his journey. Hudson Taylor was serving God in China, sacrificing for God’s purpose and running on empty. Something happened that changed his life forever and the principle is timeless. From the book of his life, “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret”, look at what happened.

“Then came the question, is there no rescue? Must it be thus to the end-constant conflict, and too often defeat? How could I preach with sincerity that, to those who receive Jesus, “to them gave he the power to become the sons of God” (i.e. Godlike) when it was not so in my own experience? Instead of growing stronger, I seemed to be getting weaker and to have less power against sin; and no wonder, for faith and even hope were getting low. I hated myself, I hated my sin, yet gained no strength against it. I felt I was a child of God. His Spirit in my heart would cry, in spite of all, “Abba Father.” But to rise to my privileges as a child, I was utterly powerless.”(p.159)

If you have ever sensed that your emotions were starting to stall-out, you probably have a strong connection to what Hudson Taylor felt. But there was a fill-up on his travels. In a letter from a friend, the Holy Spirit opened him to his answer. It was short, but life changing.

“But how to get faith strengthened? Not by striving after faith, but by resting in the Faithful One.”(p. 160)

He was trying too hard to generate faith, and not understanding that he could simply rest in the Faithful One. He grabbed the principle and stopped striving.  Rest came! Our culture is all about striving to succeed. Although we know better, “I can do it” logic bleeds into our spiritual journey. For years, I was working (striving) to have His rest. Are you willing to quit trying so hard to grow in faith, and willing to rest in the Faithful One? When the emphasis moves from our striving, to His all-powerful, infinite care for us, there is a change that takes place. I call it rest!

Life will continue to have its travel twists and turns, but you no longer need to feel like you are running on fumes. God’s design is not for His children to feel empty. He is waiting to give you a fill-up of emotional and spiritual energy for the next leg of your journey. It won’t cost you $4 a gallon and you can’t generate the fuel on your own. Stop trying so hard to be faithful, and listen to my mentor: rest in the Faithful One.

Let me just say that I simply and sincerely LOVE scripture.  It would require a multi-part post to expound on the multitude of reasons why, so I will choose just one to share with you that I was reminded of in the midst of our reading schedule last week.

One of the many things that I LOVE about scripture is how the Spirit can use a well-worn single phrase, verse or entire portion of scripture and  bring it into view at just the right time in your life to bring hope, healing, encouragement or challenge.  A truth that you have intersected with so often that you could recite it in your sleep.  And that may have, over time, lost a little of the power in the repetition.  But God’s Word is never the thing in need of a recharge, right?!

I suppose it’s only mildly coincidental that I mention the word “power”.  Because that was the thing the Spirit breathed new life into as I arrived at Luke 17.  The chapter begins with a lesson on sin and forgiveness, and then shifts gears quickly to a request the apostles make.

The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.” (Luke 17:5  MSG)

Many believe verse 5 is not connected to the first four, although it would certainly seem a likely response when one is challenged with the standard of forgiveness that Jesus shares.  But whatever the circumstances that led to the words, Jesus is confronted with a request for more faith.  His response is one we all recognize (although you may not be familiar with the exact words of “The Message” text) …

But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it. (Luke 17:6  MSG)

“You don’t need more faith.”  That must have been a response that the apostles didn’t see coming.  Many of us remember the words that follow closely as, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed …”.  But as I read the beginning words of Jesus’ response to his apostles, new life was breathed into that “mustard seed” truth.

As I navigate through life, and its many trials and struggles, it seems my call is most often for “more” … more presence, more patience, more peace, more power, more faith.  But Jesus is clear in responding that you don’t need “more”.  You need only the smallest measure of pure faith, and there is the kind power that uproots a tree, available to you.  Romans 8:11 tells us that as a child of God, indwelt by the Spirit, we have resurrection power inside of us, ready and at our disposal.  This is also a truth you have heard many times before, but take a minute and let that sink in.  The exact same power as raised Jesus, is within those who believe.  And is inside of ME.

The pace of human technology is racing at light speed.  In the designing, research and manufacture of Intel’s new i7 computer processor chip, researchers created transistors so small that it was calculated that 30 million of them could fit on the head of a pin.  I don’t need to remind many of you of the size room that used to house the first computer system.  Which had no where near the same processing power that can now fit on the head of a pin.  Yet as amazing as the facts, “30 million” and “head of a pin” are, they are dwarfed by resurrection power.

Let us not be found asking for more.  Let us rather focus on becoming less, and tapping into the bottomless well of resurrection power found deep inside of us.  Made possible only through the death of Christ, and gifted by God with the indwelling of His Spirit.

Advice from the lips of others can often be received with a less than accepting spirit. Thoughts quickly pass through our minds like “you don’t know my circumstances” or “easier said than done”. Without a firm grasp on our faith and a commitment to God’s Word, counsel from the Father will often land on our hearts like unwanted advice. Make no mistake; all of us struggle with the doing of Biblical advice. As an application of this concept, lets take a look at a familiar passage of Scripture in I Thessalonians.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (MSG)
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

I was struck by the words in the Message (the Bible in contemporary language): “This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” Putting the above words of joy, prayer, and thanks in this context, leaves no room for a Christ follower to say, “you don’t know my circumstances”. Believe me, He does! One of the ways that an on looking world can see our faith worked out, is when we do what He says, even when it is “easier said than done”.

Although you may not feel joyful, or see many good examples of this around you, God’s design for you is: joy always. Remember perfection will come in heaven, but our goal should be to live with the attitude that our Father wants. Live horizontally and I can guarantee you that you will not pattern joy. Live daily, based on your vertical relationship with the Father and I can guarantee you far greater joy, and as a result more internal peace. From a sermon more than 25 years ago, I heard these words, “joy is the internal confidence that God is in control of my life”. Believe them and live out God’s design for you: joy always.

Prayer is easy when we really need God. The truth is we always really need God. So why not establish or maybe re-establish a pattern where your most frequent conversations are with the Father. It may be in your regular prayer time, driving (keep the eyes open), or breathing a quiet prayer in a tough meeting. It’s easy to get the point of praying continually, but unfortunately, it’s even easier to let the daily stuff over-ride our essential communication. We need to talk to God, and we need to listen when He speaks: that’s prayer.

We have all wondered how we could ever be thankful if a tragic circumstance happened in our life. It is certain that we would not be thankful or joyful about the circumstance itself, but by God’s grace and through the power of His Spirit, we are able to give Him the thanks He asks from us. God would never ask us to do something, and not give us the capacity to accomplish it. But the greater issue for most of us is cultivating a thankful heart in the daily grind. Far too often we forget the daily blessings, and are consumed with the daily frustrations.  If you are a committed Christ follower, begin, or begin again to list the daily blessings that come your way. You will find lots to say thanks for.

So can we do it? Yes. Will we be perfect? No. By focusing on these simple to do’s, will your world see a God designed pattern for living? Yes. If the answer is yes, then giving joy, thankfulness and continual pray are worth the doing.

In watching a television program last week, I was amused as one of the characters used a typewriter. How quickly our world has gone from the days of typewriters, eight track tapes, mimeograph machines and even writing and mailing letters. Today phones are smaller, computers are faster, and communication is instantaneous. But there is one constant in the midst of all that change: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the same yesterday today and forever.

If you know Christ as your Savior, your hope is tied to the gospel message, and the core of your life is its truth. I sometimes feel in an ever-changing world, we have lost the distinctiveness of faith in Christ as the only hope for eternity. To know and love Christ will not always be popular, but it will always honor Him.

Forgive us for departing from our normal posting, which is based on our current scripture reading.  But I came across an incredibly meaningful and inspiring story, and I wanted to encourage you in sharing it.  Please read carefully and prayerfully what an African pastor wrote on the night before he was murdered for an unwillingness to renounce his faith. He wrote the following on a scrap of paper …

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.” I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I’ve stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals!

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by His presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, or burn up till I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops. And when He comes to get His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear.

Source: “Daily in Christ” daily devotional, Neil Anderson, August 21st entry

Let your faith be distinctive enough to make a difference. Those around you need a clear portrait of what it means to follow Christ, and live in His joy. Let the colors of your portrait be clear!

Today is that one day that some people dread all year long. Taxes are due, and if you have more tax to pay…well, I will stop there and not add to your misery. Have you ever noticed that worrying about the taxes you owe or extending your return (and misery) doesn’t eliminate the problem? It’s like that with worry! Emotional, and spiritual, and physical energy is given to something that will not change the facts. Corrie Ten Boom gives us great counsel on worry: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” Read that one more time.

As I think about worry, I am struck with two thoughts. First, God’s Word gives us very strong insight about it. And second, that most Christ followers worry better than they rest in the Lord’s grace and provision. It’s easy to say, “you don’t know my issues” or “that is just the way that I am”, but it is clear from Scripture that we have the capacity to overcome this common malady. I find that there are areas of my life where it is easy to drift from confident faith to fretful worry. I know the Word, and have the right answers for others, but without consciously choosing to rest in His power and provision, I can worry up a storm. Pardon my southern roots, but I am sure you can relate.

Let the words of Luke 12 give you confidence for today’s worry and tomorrow’s taxes.

Luke 12:22-26
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

The words of Luke are clear. God cares for ravens and He cares for us, and worry won’t add a single hour to our lives. Would it be reasonable to assume that if you and I daily yield each part of our day to His care, more internal rest will come? I think Scripture is clear.  And don’t be mistaken, it is not by saying, “I will not worry, I will not worry” that we overcome it. Victory comes by committing all things to the Father’s care, and then choosing to believe His Word. A story of George Mueller, a pastor from the 1800’s, gives greater emphasis to my challenge.

The captain of an ocean steamer tells that on one occasion his ship was engulfed in a dense fog off the coast of Newfoundland. It was Wednesday evening and the captain had been off the bridge for 24 hours when someone tapping him on his shoulder startled him. He turned and saw one of his passengers … George Mueller. “Captain,” said Mueller, “ I must be in Quebec on Saturday afternoon.” “That’s impossible!” replied the captain. “I’m helpless!” Mueller suggested, “Let’s go down to the chart room and pray.” The captain thought that he had a lunatic on board. “Do you know how dense the fog is?” he asked. “No,” came the reply, “my eye is not on the density of the fog, but on the living God who controls every circumstance of my life.” Once in the chart room, Mueller got down on his knees and prayed, “O Lord, if it is consistent with thy will, please remove this fog in 5 minutes. Thou knowest the engagement Thou didst make for me in Quebec for Saturday. I believe it is thy will.”

After Mueller prayed, the Captain started to pray. Mueller stopped him and said, “there’s no use for you to pray, God has already answered my prayer. The fog is gone.” AND IT WAS GONE!

Let the words of Corrie Ten Boom, the testimony of George Mueller, and most importantly the Word of God, give you fresh encouragement to surrender your worry.

You may just find that the fog will lift!

Along your journey, have you ever said about another person, “I know God wants me to love him/her, but I just don’t like them!”? The truth is that all of us have people around us who are hard to like.  People who often wound us, and easily anger us. Good “Christian speak,” says love your enemies and forgive them. “Christian reality” finds this to be extremely hard to do. So what’s the answer?

Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Luke 6:27-28 (MSG)
“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.”

Communicating from the Sermon on the Mount, Christ gives the answer. He gave concise, simple instructions, leaving no doubt about our responsibility. He told us to love our enemies and to do good to people who hate us. But our first response is, do I have the capacity to love enemies and to do good to someone who hates me? And if the sixth word in that previous sentence is our guide, I would suggest the answer is a pretty clear “No”. God would not ask us to do the impossible without providing a help, however, so where do we turn. No further than Christ and how he responded, would be the perfect start. Seek out the details of His earthly life, and you will get an up close and personal view of true love, forgiveness, and caring in the face of opposition and hatred. It’s an unbelievably high bar, but God has given us his Spirit in living out the example that Jesus provided.  Don’t ask yourself, “Do I have the capacity…?”. Call on the Spirit, and show the world the power of truly loving your enemy.

Furthermore, we are told to bless those who curse us, and pray for people who mistreat us. A more typical response for us is to bless them out, and pray God’s wrath on them (just being honest). But take a really close look at what Christ did on the cross. In his darkest hour, as He obediently absorbed the full power of evil and sin, He prayed for the ones that put Him there. He died for the ones who put Him there. He died for all of us.

But it’s Monday, and you’re still thinking to yourself that you don’t like that person. Is it possible that your sacrificial willingness to love, pray and bless that enemy could be used to soften a heart, change a life, and affect eternity? If we know Christ did it, He commands it, and we have the Spirit as our perfectly capable help, we are only left with one question, “Why not?”

Think about that, and remember for all those times your answered, “Because, I can’t”, or “I just won’t” …

Words from childhood will sometimes drift to the forefront of my memory. One of my favorites is from a sermon …  “although He seems to linger long, He never comes too late”. I can’t tell you who gave the words, or when I heard them, but the impact has remained. And that truth has proved itself, over and over again … He never comes too late!

It can be preached, taught and eloquently counseled. But the reality is, that our definition of on time usually is in conflict with God’s perfect design for us. At least emotionally! I am so thankful to look back and see how He always shows up at the right time. Scripture gives us some great insight and examples of God showing up for the children of Israel.

Everyone knows the story of the Red Sea. Most people of faith can remember a time when God figuratively parted their Red Sea. But we often forget that at the end of the wilderness journey, God showed up again at the Jordan River.

Joshua 4:21-24
He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean? tell them, ‘Israel crossed Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

At the beginning and the end of the journey from Egypt to Canaan, God showed up in a big way. And in between the two water partings, they were provided water and manna as needed. But the travelers were very much like us, easily dismayed and often weary on the way. We have the benefit of looking back and seeing the miraculous parting(s) of the water. The above passage says He did it so that “all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”

Knowing God is powerful. And remembering that He has parted the sea for you in the past is important.  But how is your faith today? As I personally view the Christian world, I see too many weary and frustrated travelers. You may be standing at the edge of a Red Sea or Jordan River right now.  Your theology is strong, but you find your faith wavering. From one struggler to another, I can assure you that God is still powerful and wants you to know His power again. Are you willing by faith to pray the words of Psalm 68:28?

Summon your power O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.

Although at times He seems to linger long, He never comes too late. It may seem like He often waits until the very last moment, but He is God. He knows what He is doing in your life, and He will show up when He chooses.  And it will always be in His perfect timing, working things according to His purposes.

The children of Israel went across the Jordan on dry ground, because God showed up. What makes us think He won’t show up for us. With a yielded heart and fresh faith, look for the water to part!

It’s the day after resurrection Sunday, and life goes back to normal. For us, often it is difficult to give proper emphasis on what the cross and resurrection really mean. And then to extend that beyond resurrection day. I can only imagine what the days following the resurrection meant to the closest followers of Christ. The resurrected Lord made different appearances and ministered along the way. He showed care for a “doubting Thomas” and restored Peter. He commissioned His disciples to go and make disciples. A new day of ministry was upon them. And that ministry is alive and well today.

I Corinthians 15:3-5
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.

In these verses, Paul is giving us the essence of the gospel, the good news. Christ died and rose again for our sins that we might be justified. But on this first day after resurrection Sunday, are the implications still vibrant and new in our lives?  or have they already dulled and blended into the routine? Consider the experience of Dr. Robert W. Dale, and contrast that against your own resurrection response.

Dr. Robert W. Dale, one of Great Britain’s leading Congregational pastors and theologians, was one day preparing an Easter sermon when a realization of the risen Lord struck him with new power. “Christ is alive!” he said to himself. “Alive-alive-alive!” He paused, and then said, “Can that really be true? Living as really as I myself am?” He got up from his desk and began to walk about his study, repeating, “Christ is living! Christ is living!” Dr. Dale had known and believed this doctrine for years, but the reality of it overwhelmed him that day. From that time on, “the living Christ” was the theme of his preaching, and he had his congregation sing an Easter hymn every Sunday morning. “I want my people to get hold of the glorious fact that Christ is alive, and to rejoice over it; and Sunday, you know, is the day on which Christ left the dead.”

Taken from, “Be Transformed” by Warren W. Wiersbe

You’re probably not going to be comfortable walking around verbalizing, “Christ is living!”. But you can choose to live it in front of others today, and make it the theme of every day that God grants you. For without the cross and resurrection Sunday there would be no hope. History tells us that Christ lives. Saving faith reveals that Christ is living in me. Let each day reflect the love of your resurrected Lord. The Father wants those who know Him to spread the word of His peace and love, because His Son is alive-alive-alive!

If you are not certain of your faith in Christ, or are struggling to find the power of the resurrection in your everyday life, send us a note.  We would love to share the reason of the hope that is within us.

I hope you’ll allow a one post diversion from following the text we have been reading this week, to stop a minute and take a brief peek into the Wednesday in the last week of Jesus.  On the church calendar, this is Holy Week.  A week of immense richness and depth, both in activity and significance to our faith.  One could argue (and I think, win) that this week, and weekend to come, is way bigger than Christmas in the joy and celebration department.  But while some of us may prepare, and travel through the season of advent leading up to Christmas, I would suppose that a far lesser percentage do the same during the week leading up to Resurrection day.  So, if you will, please give me a few paragraphs more than normal to take a look at a very significant event in the Wednesday on which I am writing.

Using Mark’s gospel, we arrive at the events of Wednesday in chapter 14.  Sandwiched between two short mentions of the chief priests and Judas plotting to kill Christ, we find the story of a blessed meal.  No, this is not the meal.  That will happen late Thursday evening.  The setting for our meal is the house of Simon the Leper.  It fit’s, right?  Are you surprised at all that Jesus would be enjoying a meal at the house of a former leper?  No? … me either.  So Jesus is reclining, likely after the meal with the other guests, when contrary to proper etiquette, a woman (who would normally only approach the table to serve the men who were eating) walks up to him holding an alabaster jar.  The jar is full of what is described as “very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.” (v3)

Doing some research, I found that nard comes from very remote regions in the Himalayas of modern-day China, India and Nepal.  So it would stand to reason that this assessment of its value is right on.  It is suggested that perfume in this quantity, and of that value would likely have been an inheritance, highly treasured, maybe the equivalent today of a well invested and endowed retirement account.  I think it is fair to say, that this would be the prized possession of this woman, and would amount to most of what she had of value in the world.

She approaches Jesus, breaks the bottle, and pours out the entire contents, down to the very last drop, over Jesus’ head.  There is significance in her breaking the bottle, I would suggest.  The woman did not simply uncap the bottle, and measure her pour.  No, she broke it open, making a commitment up front that her perfume would all be spent in the anointing of Jesus.  A whole vessel would allow for one to stop and retain some for themselves, or even give the appearance of pouring out all, while still keeping a portion hidden and saved.  A broken vessel is an exposed vessel.  There is no hiding in a broken vessel.  And a broken vessel is a submitted vessel.  One that can no longer be used for its prior purposes, but rather is given up fully to the purpose it was broken for.  This is the gift of this unnamed woman, not only of her perfume, but of herself.

Immediately on seeing this act, those who were there began to criticize her harshly.  What in the world was she doing?!  Does she not know how valuable the perfume was, and how much money could have been gained from its sale and given to the poor?!  It is important to understand that this was a very integral part of the Passover celebration.  Much like our modern celebration of Christmas, it was customary to be very generous to the poor during the Passover season.  So in their own reasoning, it makes perfect sense that they would see the horrible injustice and waste in this seemingly frivolous act.  In their own reasoning, that is.

But as quickly as they began, Jesus jumped to the woman’s defense, and put the rebuke back on them.  “Leave her alone … she has done a beautiful thing to me.” (v6)  In his divine and kingdom vision, Jesus saw the moving of her spirit to anoint him for burial.  A broken and complete sacrifice to honor him, and prepare his body for what was to come.  He chastises the guests with the truth that they will always have the poor amongst them, to offer their help to.  But they will only have him for a very short time.

I see a few parallels here, to the events and lessons Jesus shared on Tuesday (check them out in Mark, the last portion of chapter 11, and chapters 12 and 13).  First, there is a reference to kingdom purposes, in stark contrast to the purposes of the natural world.  In focusing on the perfume and money, the guests miss the point of the kingdom act of anointing.  They are focused on the denarius (Roman coins).  Jesus, and this unnamed woman, have his Father’s kingdom on their hearts.

And then there is the greatest commandment.  Jesus’ answer to the teacher of the law, the day before when he questioned, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28)  In breaking the bottle and giving it up to its final purpose of anointing, the woman loved the Lord her God with everything she had.  And in response, Jesus promised that throughout the remainder of human history, “wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:9)  … where we find ourselves now, 2000+ years later.

an unnamed woman, in the house of a leper, approaching her Lord and pouring out the entirety of the most valuable thing she possessed in life.  what an amazing look-in to a significant event in the Wednesday of the last week of Jesus.  I encourage you to pick up the story today, and follow it through to Resurrection Sunday!  He is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!

Try looking back at last week and remembering all the specifics. So much happens in the course of seven days that we tend to lose connection with many of the events. But in seasons of difficulty, our memories become laser sharp remembering the days of our week. Although Peter’s life was far different from ours, his memory probably never dismissed the items of one particular week. You know the week, as it started with the triumphal entry and came to a climax with our Savior hanging on a cross.

A quick read of the events gives us insight into the selfless love of Christ, and the struggles of His disciples. In the upper room He washed their feet in an incredible picture of love. Later that week in a garden called Gethsemane, Christ gave us the ultimate example of doing the Father’s will. And then, for you and I, He hung on a cross and took the sins of the whole world on Himself. There is no greater love.

Contrast that love with the week Peter experienced. How could someone spend so much time with Christ and make so many blunders? When Christ washed the feet of His disciples in the upper room, Peter had a problem with it. It’s a fascinating discourse as Christ provides an amazing picture of a humble servant, and Peter objects before relenting. Wouldn’t Peter have known, or trusted that his Lord knew what He was doing?  And how about the scene of Christ’s arrest?!  Do you remember Peter’s part in that scene? With a swing of his sword, he cut off a soldier’s ear. That drew a rebuke from Christ. Christ reminded Peter that the Father had prepared the cup for Him to drink.

To continue his “not so stellar week” Peter had fallen asleep with two other disciples as Christ prayed in the garden. Obviously, Christ was not pleased that the men failed in keeping watch.  But Peter’s ultimate failure came with his infamous denials. Christ predicted them, and Peter said passionately in response, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” (Matt. 26:35). We all know what happened … only a matter of hours later. I can only imagine that for the rest of Peter’s life, he contemplated how it all could have gone so wrong.

Can you imagine a worse week?!  I can!  Not because I have had one, but because as terrible as it may have gone for Peter, and for Jesus, it was all a part of God’s perfect redemptive plan.  These failures and sins were all a part of the larger purpose of Christ’s walk to the cross.  The cross where he bore the sins of all for all of time, was crucified, and paid the price for us, with the shedding of his blood.  But after all his suffering, and ultimate sacrifice, the sun broke on the morning of the first day of the next week and we find an empty tomb! He has risen!  He has risen, indeed!

Just as salvation’s story did not end at the cross, Peter’s didn’t either.  Further study shows that our risen Savior restored Peter, and he was used dramatically in God’s continuing work.  O what love, O what a Savior, O what grace! So the next time you have a bad week, remember Peter.  And remember your Savior who is ready with open arms to forgive and restore.