Luke 22:34
But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you
something. Between now and tomorrow morning when the rooster crows, you
will deny me three times, declaring that you don’t even know me.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
The
late actress Bette Davis said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.”
More than a few of us have had to make the excruciating admission that
we can no longer adequately care for Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa at
home...that skilled care is required, if not a facility where security
is critical in order to assure our loved one’s safety. As the mind
fades, so does the capacity to behave rationally. Some become violent –
or tend to wander. Others are simply mad at the world and make
everyone around them miserable, too.
I still remember my own
grandmother’s stint at a hospital in a nearby city, after she mixed up
her prescription medications and over-the-counter “aids” and began to
hallucinate. She lost her ability to speak for a while...but the day
that we wheeled her into a local nursing home, she plainly and angrily
asked, “Why did you put me here?” Her attitude about the facility was
expected...her verbalized response was not. But overall, her anger
about the situation was not a surprise...and it happens every day in
skilled care nursing facilities around the world.
Often, there
are situations in our lives where we know that others will be angry and
upset with us. Children protest their parents’ directives to take a
bath and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Teens complain that their
curfew is too early...their “dress code” is too stringent...and their
parents and other adults simply don’t understand – anything!
Seniors insist that they can still drive, after their eyesight and
hearing fail...that they can still live alone and make their one
decisions, even though they can’t remember to pay bills – or what they
ate for breakfast...that they do not need around-the-clock assistance,
even though they fall often and can no longer care for their personal
needs adequately!
Alcoholics and addicts of all kinds assure
loved ones that they are “never going to do this again.” And some do
make a change! But others have not fully “turned the corner”...and we
know almost as quickly as they utter the phrase that their next binge is
on the horizon. In many relationships, friends and partners assure the
other one that they are sorry for what has been said or done, and
declare that this “won’t happen again”...and often the other person
knows fully well that they are receiving “lip service.”
Jesus
knew that Peter would deny Him three times in one night. Peter insisted
that there was NO WAY that he would ever do this! But he did. Peter
was heartsick...ashamed...devastated beyond description that He could
sink to such a low point. Scripture indicates that he assumed that
Jesus was done with him. Surely He wouldn’t want a disciple who was so
despicable and disloyal. But the thing is...Jesus treated Peter with
incredible mercy – and forgave him. Then He used Peter to serve in His
ministry and do tremendous things to further His kingdom.
So
where does that leave us? I think you know the answer. When people
rail against us, say or do hurtful things, make promises we know they
can’t – or won’t – keep, we must look at Jesus’ treatment of Peter and
ask, “How can I do any less?” If Jesus could forgive Peter and offer
Him mercy, how can we refuse to treat others any differently? How can
we operate in anything but love, kindness, grace and mercy?
Will
we be hurt and insulted at times? Probably. Will we want to
retaliate...or alienate the person who has betrayed or belittled us?
Possibly. Will we be angry and upset...will we throw a fit and tell
everyone we know how badly we have been treated? More than likely.
These are common human reactions...responses that many would consider
perfectly normal and appropriate. Is this how Jesus treated Peter?
Absolutely not!
As Disciples of Christ, we are called to
operate above the fray. If Jesus truly is the LORD of our lives...if His
Holy Spirit fills our heart and guides our words and actions...our
reactions to others must mirror His. We are not called to crucifixion
on a cross...we will most likely never be literally beaten and bloodied
for our conduct...our insults and indignations pale in comparison to
those inflicted upon Jesus. Do you want to respond to others as the
world at large would...or with the grace and mercy of our precious
Savior, Jesus Christ?
On a much smaller scale, we will be
“denied three times” over and again throughout our lives. Let me ask
you...how will you react?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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