The Love of God

Imagine, figuratively speaking, stabbing your best friend in the back. That’s what Peter did when he denied knowing Jesus during His arrest. Imagine, during the worst time in the life of Jesus, as He began His journey toward the eventual cross, one of His closest friends denied even knowing Him.

It also turned out to be the worst day in the life of Peter. He truly loved Jesus. He was totally committed to following Jesus – even if he had to die for Him (Mark 14:31). Peter meant that from the bottom of his heart, but when he saw that the Messiah was not going to bring military victory over the oppressive Roman empire but instead was going to be crucified like a common thief, he fell apart and denied Jesus. Hence, the worst day in Peter’s life.

After Peter’s third denial Luke records, “And the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter” (Luke 22:61). Peter’s heart must have fallen into his stomach. If we were to give Peter “the look” it would be one of disgust and resentment; however, knowing Jesus as we do, “the look” was almost certainly a look of compassion and love because Jesus knew Peter would have great consternation and sorrow. No one was happier than Peter when Jesus appeared alive from the dead and the message of the Messiah as a suffering servant started to make sense to Peter and the others.

Ever had a Peter moment when you denied, disappointed, and deserted Jesus your Lord for some sin? Welcome to the club! We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). When we grow up in faith we can see Jesus looking straight at us in our mind’s eye. Maybe we should see Jesus looking at us with compassion and love rather than disdain and judgment. Maybe that is more in line with what Jesus is thinking. Maybe that will help us love Him more and be more “gratitude motivated” to live for Him.

Read Matthew 26:69-75. Then listen to The Love of God by MercyMe.

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he had gone out to the gateway, another slave woman saw him and *said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it, with an oath: “I do not know the man.” A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them as well, since even the way you talk gives you away.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had made: “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntDiTIqiVgo

MercyMe The Love of God (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntDiTIqiVgo)