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This week we continue our discussion of chapter 22 of Luke’s Gospel. Please read verses 31-43 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 22:33-34 (New Living Translation – NLT)
‘Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”’
Every so often, usually in the few weeks before I’m due to go on holiday, I start taking more attention to my physical condition and in particular, I start getting concerned about how heavy I am. When this happens, I start cutting down on the amount of chips I eat. I eat the occasional vegetable and if I’m really determined to lose weight, I may even take the odd piece of fruit.
Alongside this remarkably healthy diet (yes, I know it isn’t!), I resolve to exercise more. Actually, that means that I do SOME exercise because normally, I do almost nothing other than walking. Years ago, I came across a physical exercise course entitled ‘Insanity’. It really is crazy when you look at the course and see what the instructor gets you to do. So, as part of the whole new body I want to get, I embark once more on this stupid exercise regime.
I am convinced that I will be able to complete the course because the desire is there and I’m a pretty determined kind of person. If I set my mind to something, I normally achieve it. The first few days take its toll on every muscle and joint. My back hurts, my knees are in agony and I can barely walk but every day, I force myself to keep going. That is until I realise that I just don’t have the capability to do what I think I can do. My mind is saying one thing but my body is screaming out a different message. Despite my best efforts, I fail.
I find it quite difficult to make any negative comments about Simon Peter because, just like me and my exercise programme, I believe that he really is sincere when he pledges his allegiance to the Saviour. I’m absolutely sure that he means every word that he says to Jesus. He just fails in doing what he wants to do. The apostle Paul says something similar when he says something like “I know what I should do but I don’t and the things I don’t want to do, they are the things that I end up doing”. Our flesh is definitely weak even if the spirit is willing!
I don’t think that Jesus’ response is tinged with hurt or disappointment. He only has love and compassion in His heart. It would be easy for Him to issue a rebuke and condemn Simon Peter in advance for what he’s going to do. However, Jesus doesn’t respond like that at all. Instead, He gives Simon Peter something to hold on to. It may seem subtle to us, but I believe that Jesus is giving huge encouragement and support in the middle of a dreadful scenario.
Without exception, prior to this point and afterwards, Jesus always calls this disciple Simon. In this one and only instance, Jesus calls him ‘Peter’. The name Simon is his natural name, but Jesus is using this occasion to remind him that God’s purpose is bigger than our failings. It is more important that our natural lives or our desires. God had declared Simon to be ‘Peter’ – ‘a rock’. It was if Jesus was using this opportunity to remind Simon that God wasn’t finished with him.
My prayer today is that we all learn to understand and appreciate that the call of God in our lives is the most important thing. We may fall, we may fail and let ourselves down, but be assured that God isn’t finished with us.
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