Faith Gaps
Jesus warns Peter that he will lose his faith and then need to turn back.
“Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” And he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.” He said to them, “When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.” He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.” They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “It is enough.” - Luke 22:31-38
If you think about it, Simon Peter is a great example of Christ's loving grace and forgiveness.
Jesus knows Simon will falter and leave him, but he tells him to turn back when that happens and use his experience to strengthen the faith of his brothers.
You are a leader, he tells him, and you must show others the way back to salvation. Nothing stands between us and God, even when we choose to step away. God is still there, willing to accept us back.
How great is that?
I wonder if Judas knew that and just failed to understand. Imagine if he had come back and asked Jesus to forgive him.
Everything could have ended differently if that had happened.
So, I guess the message for all of us is to humbly swallow our pride and return to God when we screw up.
It will make all the difference in the world.
More to come...