Following
Jesus is a decision to be made today and everyday, not a historical
event from your past. You are either drawing closer to him or you are
pulling away. If you drift far enough away, you can suddenly find
yourself denying him, even if it was never your intent to do so.
The
Apostle Peter had been following Jesus closely but, now that Jesus
has been arrested, he keeps his distance; staying
close to the enemy's fire. Not wanting to be identified as
a follower of Christ, he hangs out where there are no disciples and
tries to fit in with the crowd.
Peter's
spiritual collapse reached a peak with his appalling three denials of
Jesus. However, his failure wasn't final. God’s love is not
dependent on our performance or success. After Jesus' resurrection,
he seeks out Peter and asks him three times, “Do you love
me?” (John
21:15-19)
Jesus
provided Peter with an opportunity to reaffirm his loyalty and
commitment to him. We want to condemn Peter but Jesus gives him
another chance. Peter is a changed man. He soon preaches a powerful
sermon and 3000 souls are saved.
He
no longer hides his faith from the authorities. Instead, he tells
them, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to
obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we
have seen and heard.” (Acts
4:19-20)
No
matter how you have failed; no matter what sin you have allowed into
your life, the Savior who died for you still loves you. Maybe you
feel that, because of something you have done or experienced, you are
counted out. Listen to the voice of Jesus who asking, “Do you love
me?”
Yet
to all who did receive him,
to
those who believed in his name,
John
1:12
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