For
the past five months I have come to know a greater portion of God’s
grace than ever before. We all walk, live and breathe in the awesome
grace of God. Most of us don't even realize it and often take it for
granted, but I don’t any more. I am forever indebted to that Love
and Grace of God, and I'm truly grateful.
The
twelve disciples of Jesus spent several years with the Lord, the
Master of their lives. Yet they still hardly knew Him. Jesus knew
them better than they knew themselves. Jesus also chose each of them,
simple ordinary men to reach the world for the Kingdom of God. He
knew all their strengths, weaknesses and imperfections; and He still
loved each of them, including Judas. But this article is not about
him, but Peter. A man that I can easily identify with. Peter loved
Jesus. However, he had his good moments and some not so good. Peter
often spoke first without thinking--something that many of us are
guilty of. But despite that, Jesus loved him and everyone of us very
much. In fact He doesn’t even take note of ours flaws or mistakes
the way we do.
For
example, when Nathanael first heard about Jesus from his brother
Philip, he questioned whether anything good could come out of
Nazareth. But when he finally met Jesus , Jesus referred to him as
“an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Wow, Jesus
totally disregarded the negative comment and saw only the good in the
man.
Then
on the last night with all His disciples, Jesus wanted to set another
example for them and us to remember. He humbled himself, knelt down
before his disciples and began to wash their feet. But when Jesus
came to Peter, Peter refuse to have his feet washed, but then changed
his mind after the Lord explained that this was necessary. Jesus also
told him “you are clean.” Jesus said this knowing full well what
Peter would do and say later that night. Peter felt that he love
Jesus so much that he boldly declared that he was willing to lay down
his life for Him. Something he eventually did, but not until there
was a “sifting” of his soul. But Jesus had prayed for Peter and
knew he would change and be a different man than he was. Peter
thought he was ready, but there was still more he needed to be done
and learned, as we all do. How often have we told God or others, that
we would do or say something, and then not follow through, because of
fear, doubts or other desires? But praise God, Jesus is still praying
for us, and we can truthfully say, God see us as we are in Christ
Jesus, free of sin and we
are clean.
It
is important for us to see ourselves and others as Christ see us,
and not focus on flaws or mistakes. We become what we see. Therefore,
let us keep our eyes on Jesus and give God credit for taking our
sinful and broken nature, and imparting His holy and perfects nature
in us. This also gives us the grace to allow others to be different,
and to mature in God's divine timing.
