Thrice Flawed
For Christians, today is the most somber day of the year, and yet we call it "Good".
Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times. - John 13:36-38
The paradox in the naming of the day is reflected in the conflict Peter finds himself confronting. On the one hand, he wants to be there for Jesus, choosing to do what he feels is right, and yet he winds up falling short of that goal. And he does it not once, but three times.
It is no coincidence that Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, leaving Peter frustrated and confused, only to have Peter later deny Jesus three times.
The amazing thing is that Jesus continues to have faith in Peter, despite all of Peter's flaws and failings. I think that is what lies at the heart of today's Passion Play.
Jesus goes to the cross knowing we, the children of God he came to save, are flawed, and he faces death with the knowledge that we will not understand who he is or why he chose to come among us.
Peter knows, or thinks he knows, and yet even Peter fails to stand up for his faith.
So, I guess we don't need to be perfect either.
Did Jesus tell Peter he would deny him to make Peter feel bad, or was something else going on here?
I think Jesus wanted Peter to know something truly important about God's love and mercy. I know what you will do, and yet I love you still.
That is what makes today "Good Friday". We learn that Jesus is who we believe he is, not because he dies on the cross but because he forgives everyone for putting him there.
Peter is forgiven before he even turns against him, and so are we.
For us, it is a mournful day, because we believe we have lost contact with Jesus and through Jesus, God. But we haven't. And that will be the beauty we see on the third day.
There's that number 3 again.
Something special is happening here, and we need to go and be witnesses to understand it.
See you in church.
More to come...