Words of Loving Conviction

Words of Loving Conviction Shortly after Jesus’ prayer with the Father, he is betrayed by one of his followers who leads a group to Jesus so they can arrest him. This is the story: “When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:49-51, NIV) Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard, some people were huddled around a fire. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, “This man was with him!” He denied it: “Woman, I don’t even know him.” A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, “You're one of them.” Peter said, “Man, I am not.” About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.” Peter said, “Man, I don't know what you’re talking about.” (my paraphrase of Luke 22:54-60, NIV) Peter was the one who fought back for Jesus and cut off the ear of the chief priest’s servant. Earlier, Peter had told Jesus he would follow him anywhere, even to his death. Peter may have been one of the many people who were waiting for Jesus to lead a violent rebellion against Rome and win back the Jews’ freedom. So, we can imagine Peter seeing a mob of people coming to arrest Jesus and thinking it was time for the rebellion to begin, and so he struck out with his sword. What a shock it must have been when the one he was trying to protect told him to stop, and then healed the one he had just injured. How confused he must have been! Peter suddenly realizes Jesus wasn’t who he thought he was, and he wasn’t there to do what he thought he had come to do. Soon after this, we find the same Peter, who had pledged total allegiance to Jesus, denying him three times in front of others. “Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:60-62, NIV) The longer we walk with Jesus, the more we get to know him, and there are times when we realize we have made him to be someone he isn’t. Those are important times in our life. Will we follow Christ down this unknown and mysterious path, or will we stick with the Jesus that we have created—the Jesus that better suits our dreams and desires? When we go our own way, we always deny him. Like Peter, we try to force Jesus to work our way. When he doesn’t, we move on to find some other way to get it done. Or, like Peter, we loiter around Jesus at a safe distance but do not follow or remain faithful. As you contemplate that question, don’t ever forget: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!” (Romans 8:1, NIV) With no condemnation, I can confess, I can receive grace, and I can be transformed. You are a miracle! Grant Fishbook