SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 26:69-75
“…WHEN THE OBJECT OF OUR FAITH IS JESUS WE FIND THE MOST INCREDIBLE GRACE THAT DRAWS US UP OFF THE FLOOR TIME AND TIME AGAIN.”
Do you remember the scene outside of the tomb following Jesus’ resurrection? The body was gone and so were the angels when Mary Magdalene showed up. She mistook Jesus for the gardener and then when he revealed himself to her, well, she was blown away. I love that scene. But when I read this story something about Peter caught my attention. Jesus’ instructions were for Mary to “Go tell the disciples and Peter”. You are right in thinking that Peter was a disciple, too, but Jesus wanted to make sure that Peter was included in the message because he knew that, right then, Peter didn’t feel too much like a disciple.
If you are like me there have been times when you didn’t feel much like a follower of Jesus either. Times when you did the opposite of what you knew you should; times when you chose a different path than the one that would bring you to Jesus. Times like these are low points in our walk. They look and feel like failures and our response to them can send us into a tailspin.
Imagine, back in the story, when Peter was hanging out in the courtyard by the fire while Jesus was inside being grilled by the High Priest. He’s waiting to see what would happen but he is probably also thinking he might be in big trouble himself. He’s remembering how often his big mouth caught the attention of many and how his impulsive actions did the same. And he’s really hoping it was too dark in the garden for him to be recognized when he took off the ear of that servant. So, maybe we can cut him some slack for what happens next as we reflect on our own weaknesses.
You know the story well, I’m sure. Three times Peter is confronted by someone who feels they have seen him before. Three times he denies any association with his Lord. And when that stinking rooster crowed and he was reminded of Jesus’ words to him it’s fair to say that he hit rock bottom. Well, at least until the next moment when his eyes met Jesus as he was leaving the house. Now, he’s found the bottom.
Faith, as a human endeavor, is prone to fail. But when the object of our faith is Jesus we find the most incredible grace that draws us up off the floor time and time again. And we realize, like Peter, that our Lord not only constantly loves us but continues to want to use us despite our failures.
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