How often God takes someone who has failed greatly, even repeatedly, and turns him or her around into an amazing leader. The prison ministry of Discipleship Unlimited has many ex-offenders, even those who have been repeat offenders, in leadership positions now where they are AMAZING. What turns a great failure into a great leader? I have been pondering this, and as I pondered and prayed, this is what happened.
I received an e-mail from a new believer from our Alpha group. He wanted to know: “How many times will Jesus forgive me for the same sin? Doesn’t my repetition show that my repentance isn’t genuine?”
Such a good question, and not an easy one to answer. I talked to my friend Twila in the locker-room of the Y. Twila has memorized the book of Hebrews this year and this verse flowed from her: “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” (Hebrews 10:26)
I paled! “Twila, I have sinned deliberately. I had to deceive myself to do it, but in my heart of hearts I knew. Every time I overeat, every time I resist forgiving…”
She paused, clarifying “deliberately” as hard hearted and rebellious — and also putting the verse in the whole context of Hebrews of God’s people who were trampling on the Son of God and ignoring such a great salvation. If we ignore such a great salvation there is no more sacrifice for sin. And there are other warnings about not sinning so that grace can abound.
Our discussion made me realize how easy it is for me to regard sin lightly, counting on His grace. He doesn’t want us to be in denial about the seriousness of sin. But if we are truly repentant, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9)
I wrote my friend and said it was good to take sin seriously, for God does, but if his repentance if genuine, even if we do it again and again and again, He will indeed be faithful and just to forgive us.
But if we are doing something again and again — it is serious and we need to face why we keep doing it.
Jesus made Peter face it so He could mold him into a great heart, a great leader. He almost seems harsh with Peter, but it was discipline that was for his good — and Peter received it and became the leader of the early church.
Fra Angelico 1433
St Mark’s Cathedral
Peter was sure he would never deny Jesus. He was sure he loved Jesus more than the other disciples. He said, “Even if all of these deny you, I will not.”
But Peter denied him again and again and again.
In this week’s sermon, Tim Keller, though he admits much of Jesus Christ Superstar is silly, remembers this scene, which touched him:
Important things are said when time is running out.
The verse last verse in John’s 1st letter is:
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
And the very last story in John’s Gospel is this story of
Jesus shaping a great failure into a great leader.
There is so much to learn about
facing our sin
facing our denial
and fearing God enough to have a play-dough heart.
Let’s go!
Sunday
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Monday-Wednesday
Bible Study
2. Read Matthew 26:30-35
A. What does Jesus say will happen to all of them with the shepherd is struck?
B. How does Peter feel he is different?
3. Read John 18:17-19 and describe the scene.
4. Read John 21:9 and describe the scene.
5. Fragrance triggers memories. What memory do you think Jesus was trying to trigger in Peter and why?
6. Read John 21:15-19
A. What does Jesus ask Peter three times, and why do you think He asks three times?
B. Why is it not heartless of Jesus to probe Peter so deeply?
C. How might the knowledge of how he was going to die prepare Peter to be the apostle to write the letters to strengthen suffering believers?
D. What do you think was the sin beneath the sin that caused Peter to deny Christ, and how did Jesus repeated question help him see the solution?
E. Tim Keller says “Every sin is a denial of Christ.” Explain.
7. Contrast the reaction of Peter to Jesus in a similar miracle in Luke 5:8 with his responses in John 21:7. What do you think made the difference?
8. Read Hebrews 12:1-11
A. In verse 1, the author talks about the sin which clings so closely, or the sin that easily entangles you. As you are still before God, what does He tell you that might be in your life?
B. Imagine Jesus were to confront you about this as He did Peter. How might He set the scene? What question might He ask you repeatedly?
C. Why should we not be afraid of the Lord’s discipline? Find everything you can in verses 5-11.
9. Let this lead you into prayer.
Thursday-Friday
Paid Keller Sermon
http://www.gospelinlife.com/healing-of-peter-5849.html
If the above link doesn’t work, click here or go to gospelinlife.com and type “Healing of Peter” into the search bar. Select the sermon titled “Healing of Peter.”
10. Share your notes and comments.
Saturday
11. What is your take-a-way and why?
143 comments
1. What stood out to you from the above, and why? Regarding sin lightly and counting on his grace. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” Paul’s words in Romans 6;1&2 are what I’m reminded of…..and they have a sting. And they should. I’m so looking forward to this needful week of study and reflection and conviction, for I need to be brought up short in my often thoughtless way of going about my days. Peter is a comforting example to so many of us, for we can RELATE. Though we don’t know the specific details, we do know that Paul admonished Peter “to his face” (Galatians 2:11&12) years later about his behavior in Antioch that seemed to indicate he caved under pressure. It does help me to see the human struggles of Peter – even years after being filled with the Spirit he was capable of slipping back into old patterns. In my own life, alcoholism is a good example……though my years of drinking are far in the rearview mirror I DO substitute other things…..eating perhaps? Gluttony?? I think this week may be a good time for me to pull out “The Screwtape Letters” and have a re-read!
Dee, I so love the timing of your posting…..your pithy questions are a wonderful kickoff to my morning as I go about preparing to go and worship with the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit really moves through you to create in my heart an anticipatory yearning for worship. 🙂 So precious.
Jackie, your thoughts and words are always so well-framed that I think YOU could write a book! I love that the Lord has freed you from alcoholism and that He continues to work on your tender heart, revealing more ares where you can let Him further invade! I know that sin certainly is serious but the balance on that is that His love for us certainly is as well and if we know Him He loves us too much to leave us where we are, so so move on with Him.
Jackie, I agree with Mary! He loves us too much to leave us where we are. The Holy Spirit will show us and then we just need to respond and turn instead of pushing Him away. Denial is pushing Him away which I admit I have done, but He won’t forsake me and that is one of the reasons I am turning. True repentance is humbling myself before Him and letting Him press into my heart and shape it. I know when I have truly repented..when I can look at the temptations and hear my comfort idol calling and literally hate it because I know He hates it because He is Holy and it is a stumbling block to deeper intimacy with Him.
Jackie — I always look forward to your thoughtful posts, this one is wonderful.
Jackie ~ Me too: , for I need to be brought up short in my often thoughtless way of going about my days. And definitely, Peter is a comforting example because we relate.
I, too, have often felt that you could write a book, Jackie.
Dee, Thank you for leading us through this necessary, though painful, study this week.
Jackie, these words really struck me “… for I need to be brought up short in my often thoughtless way of going about my days. ” Oh, Lord how so like me in many ways. Going about my day independent of you and then I wonder why I feel empty. Thank you that your grace is poured out again and again and again.
Thanks Jackie, for reminding me of the events in Galatians….
Oh the timing of this is amazing! Just yesterday, I was talking with my daughter, wanting to help her see why it is so important that we sin the depths of our sin and not just rush to the Cross–because to the degree we see our sin, we see the need of the Cross and we know His love and love Him more. And then this was the example I used! I reminded her of how when Dee goes into the prisons and the women there who have come to Jesus are SO in love with Him, because they know their great need–and we have that same depth of need, we just so easily gloss over it. And then Luke 7:42-43″Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” I think it all ties in–if we want Him to use us mightily, we have to see the “sin beneath the sin”, because the more we see it, the more excited we are about our Savior, the more gratitude, the more love. Because the real mark, the beauty of our Christian life is not one without sin, but one full of repentance, gratitude, dependence on grace.
God knew what He was doing when He brought that little girl to you, Elizabeth. =)
Elizabeth I LOVE this: ” we have to see the “sin beneath the sin”, because the more we see it, the more excited we are about our Savior, the more gratitude, the more love. Because the real mark, the beauty of our Christian life is not one without sin, but one full of repentance, gratitude, dependence on grace. Because the real mark, the beauty of our Christian life is not one without sin, but one full of repentance, gratitude, dependence on grace.”- I think this is the mark of a play dough heart.
Love these conversations you are having with your daughter. Your post also reminds me of what Ruth and Billy Graham said was the secret to a strong marriage: “being good repenters.”
Dee, I would like to a be a good repenter. God, help me.
3 things stood out. #1. I was immediately convicted while reading. #2. Twila memorizing the whole book of Hebrews-SO encouraging to me, and #3 “facing our sin, facing our denial, and fearing God enough to have a play-dough heart.” I love the play dough heart picture!!
So facing my sin and THEN facing my denial..ouch! Facing denial is the hardest of the two. Like Dee said in the post-she knows, she is aware of her sin but we talk ourselves into justifying it, saying it is okay-denial, or even worse we suppress the prompting of the Holy Spirit who is showing us this. But once we admit that to God..oh it is a start-but admitting to God with a play dough heart. THIS ARRESTED ME THIS MORNING: “fearing God enough to have a play dough heart“..That is pregnant and I want to dive into that more.
I have to confess..Dee is right-God is right- that our hearts are idol making factories, hence God telling us, “little children keep yourselves from idols.”-He wouldn’t have to tell us that if it weren’t a daily issue.
I have had to admit lately denial to a particular sin I keep doing! I guess I can’t continue to look at the cross and say, “Jesus I am so thankful you love me and I am forgiven.” and then keep on sinning. I need to look at the cross and say, “Oh God…I am so sorry I did this to you after what you did for me! Help me!” I need to take His Holiness seriously and His desire to make me Holy seriously, more seriously than me needing immediate satisfaction with whatever I want to satisfy myself with at the moment-food, gossip, seeking man’s approval, etc..
OH yes, Rebecca, He knew this would be a DAILY problem for us! “…our hearts are idol making factories, hence God telling us, “little children keep yourselves from idols.”-He wouldn’t have to tell us that if it weren’t a daily issue.” and it sure is. One of the reasons I long for heaven is to finally be free of this issue and be able to fully worship Him night and day without any hint of self or sin.
Rebecca — love the switch from how you soul-talked from relying on grace to walking in repentance.
1. What stood out an why? Well, the first thing was Twila’s answer, which kind of scared me and I’m glad she clarified it!!! Sin is a serious thing but wow, I think knowing His love and grace goes hand-in-hand with being able to have the strength (and desire) to resist sin. A couple of weeks ago I was having my quite time and was praying and just sensed God’s smile and in my spirit sensed Him saying “It won’t be long now…My children will all be with Me soon!” (no I’m not predicting any dates or times!) In response to that I cried and said, “Father, I’m so excited to think of being fully in Your presence soon…but also a little scared and ashamed. (because I know I have missed so many opportunities to share Him and His love with others and because I feel like a failure as a Christian sometimes, for not being “good enough” at sin-avoidance.) Then He spoke to my heart saying, “Why? (are you afraid) My perfected love casts out fear and you have been perfected in My love by the blood of My Son, and I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH! There is no reason to fear.” I was totally undone and just sobbed. THAT is the kind of understanding of God’s love that makes me want to run from sin and directly into His arms. Knowing that He loves me SO much. Oh so humbling.
Mary, This is BEAUTIFUL: “Then He spoke to my heart saying, “Why? (are you afraid) My perfected love casts out fear and you have been perfected in My love by the blood of My Son, and I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH! There is no reason to fear.” I was totally undone and just sobbed. THAT is the kind of understanding of God’s love that makes me want to run from sin and directly into His arms. Knowing that He loves me SO much. Oh so humbling.”
Oh Mary E. I LOVE this conversation the Lord has with you. I have had that one with Him too!
Mary,
Thank you for this. Tears.
Mary, I echo Dee…what a beautiful conversation with the Lord! And it shows that He transforms us by His love, not by finger pointing, scolding, but by LOVE!
quick note before Church!–I think #3 is supposed to be JOHN 18:17-19
Got it — so appreciate my correctors — especially so early in the week!
I promise I was never the girl at the front of the class with my hand always raised to correct the teacher 😉 actually I like the challenge when it happens because I always end up reading more Scripture in trying to figure it out 🙂
HA! =)
oh one more thing! as I just got to read the above responses, I was just struck by what tremendous examples we have of a “play dough heart”: Jackie’s humility, Rebecca’s teachable-ness, and Mary’s passion for the Lord. OH I am so blessed to be among such godly examples~
Can you explain what is meant by a play dough heart? I don’t understand.
Play dough is like clay…shapable/moldable
kerryn–good to see you back here! Mary answered you well. I think too of how the play dough gets hard it we let it sit–dry, crumbly and un-moldable, like when we become hardened and bitter (I think of me with un-forgiveness towards someone). But like the more you keep play-dough in your hands, it gets softer–I think the more we stay in His hands, the warmer, softer,more pliable, and shape-able we become. I just realized you may call it something different in Australia, but as Mary said–play dough is like clay (but a little softer) 🙂
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
I sin, and sin, and sin, over and over again. It is so easy to fall into the pattern. I know I love Him. I know I want to be with Him and forgiven. Yet, I sin. Earthly things pull at me and I struggle remembering that eternity waits.
The other day the friend who just lost her mother and I had a conversation. I thought I had been making progress wooing her to check out Christ over the past year. I’m not sure I have now. Our conversation went something like this:
me – “I’m struggling to remember to keep focused on what is really important in life, here on earth. I keep reminding myself that my home is really not here, but in heaven with God, where there will be no more pain and suffering.”
my friend – “Oh, that doesn’t sound good.”
me – “No more pain and suffering? Sounds really good to me.”
She doesn’t get it. I’m not sure I do either. Life here is so….here. In your face. Life in heaven is hard to imagine. Peter reminds us that he is in the present, the now, dealing with earthly issues. He has to deny because he has to deal with the people in his face. It goes back to my analogy the other week about the girl at columbine high school who answered the question about God and then was shot dead. Or, what about the awful murders this past week in Kenya of the college students by terrorists….same thing; they were shot because they were questioned about their faith. If they said “yes,” they were Christians, they were shot. If they lied and said, “no,” they were asked questions about the Koran, and if they couldn’t answer they were shot. As someone (Elizabeth?) said last week, she feels were are definitely at the end of times since Christians are really being persecuted all over the world (including in our own country).
BTW – PLEASE PRAY. I just got word that my second BIL died this morning. The first was a couple of months ago and now today. He just turned 60. The other was about 65. So sad, and my husband is really struggling right now. Please pray for my husband to help his family well through this, and for him to be at peace also. Thank you.
Prayers, Laura. Hard to lose people so close together. Just like your post — life indeed is hard.
oh Laura–so sorry. Praying for all of you now. I understand the homesickness for Heaven you feel “I keep reminding myself that my home is really not here, ” and am saying a prayer now too for your friend–maybe she gets that you have something she doesn’t but it’s too hard for her to admit–praying that as she watches you struggle so honestly yet clinging to Him through it all, she will see Him in you and be softened.
Praying for you, Laura, and your husband.
Laura, praying.
Oh Laura, I’m just seeing this…I am so sorry about your loss! Your family has been hit hard by the loss of these two brother-in-laws, and so close together. I will keep your family in my prayers…so hard for your husband, too.
Laura, you have such a way of expressing things so matter-of-factly. That we often fail because life is so “in your face.” To think of those people who got in Peter’s face and he denied knowing Jesus…he was afraid. And then the shame he felt. Yes, life here is hard, and it is hard to imagine heaven where there is no more sin and failure. And I appreciate your honesty, “I’m not sure I do either (get it)”.
Thanks Susan, we are at the funeral today and it is very nice to see family; to be together. I feel bad for my SIL. She is young, and not necessarily draw to Christ. In fact, I tried to appeal to the BIL last year by sending him a card with a link to a Tim Keller sermon. I’m not sure he ever listened or contemplated knowing Jesus. I will try to keep in touch with her more often; we don’t live too far away from each other.
Thanks for your prayers for my retreat this weekend — it went well. Tech glitch at the end but I had Christy who worked it out.
Would so love your prayers for this big week — flying to Fargo for big day on Thursday and onto Ashland where I’ll see some of you!
Praying, Dee! Oh I hope so much that I can make it for at least some of the Ashland event. I got my registration and money in, but I am pretty sure I will not make it right at the beginning of the day. I have had a rough time lately with pain and inability to sleep well…but I at least hope to get there by 10am and I REALLY want to buy a copy of God of All Comfort, if they are not all gone.
Oh Mary E — get a free one as soon as you get there. We are low on stock and they are printing — but if you don’t get one, Rebecca will mail you one. Just let us know. We are praying so for you.
Thank you, Dee. Can’t wait to meet you in person! =) And thank you (and everyone) for prayers on my behalf. Today has probably been the best day I have had in several weeks. I’m hopeful about getting better sleep tonight!
What stands out? Two things for me:
That important things are said when time is running out. So, I am 61 and as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more aware of the fact that time is running out. And I still don’t “get it right” often. But, He often gathers me up and helps me to think about what matters – what I need to be sure to say to my children before its too late. And tending to my dad, with alzheimers, has driven this home: that time is running out and many important things have been said when we are together. So, if I live in the daily awareness that time is running out, that can help me choose my thoughts and words more carefully.
The story of shaping a great failure into a great leader is both profoundly sad and distinctly hopeful. A person’s failures can leave such hollow holes in a sou,l that they can find it almost impossible to take heart. And yet, it is that very brokenness and authenticity that qualifies them to authentically, humbly lead. (someone close to me is in this discouraging wilderness of failure right now)
This Michael Card song has been rolling through my mind over the past two weeks. In it he describes the wrestling we have over our sin. I especially love these words toward the end of the song that tell how we need each other in this repentance process:
“I need someone who’ll weep with me.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxXsCB8hcLE
Nila–beautiful song–thank you
Nila, thank you for sharing the song. I love Michael Card and I have not heard of this before. “God will not walk away from me.” I will never leave you nor forsake you. Thank you, Lord.
Oh Nila, I LOVE Michael Card but I had never heard this! So beautiful and fitting for this lesson. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the song, Nila. I too love Michael Card’s forthright singing of Scripture and deep heart. I had never heard this before. So appropriate for this week’s ponderings.
What stood out to you from the above and why?
Dee’s horror at the thought Hebrews 10:26 could apply personally. I think Twila was wise in her clarification. Some versions translate ‘deliberately persist’… but then I do that too. Like when God is telling me to let it go and allow him to deal with someone I think has wronged me. But I can’t let them get away with it, can I? So I hang on to it, and plot my revenge. Sounds hard hearted and rebellious, doesn’t it? Deliberately persisting in sin, even?
I know that God’s love has melted my hard heart when I have done this, but it is a dangerous path to take. Scripture warns us that if we keep hardening our hearts, there comes a point when God will allow us to go the way we have chosen. eg. Pharaoh… or Romans 1:24 “God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts”.
I really do need a glimpse of how my sin appears through God’s eyes, and an Isaiah 6 vision of his holiness, that I might fall down calling “Woe to me!”
Kerryn, great to see you back!
A very timely topic… What stands out to me? Why do we continue to sin? Yes, our hearts are idol-producing factories…
Peter’s sin seems terrible, but it follows his personality of impulsiveness. Listening to my pastor’s sermon today, he shared how
Peter’s impulsiveness was a great trait and a terrible trait. He had so much trust in Jesus, but also didn’t think before he spoke and
also didn’t count the cost. Yet Jesus came back to him and asked him 3 times, Peter, do you love me?
My sinfulness comes out when I worry and fret. I am undone, realizing how much I hurt him by not trusting that He is at work
through each situation of my life. I sometimes justify myself by saying, “Oh I want to plan and organize”, yet I often let that
slip into worrying again.
Thank you, Jackie, for your humility, and Mary for your passion. Yes, I know that the scripture memory helps to guard my heart.
Looking forward to studying together this week.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
I am enjoying reading all the early responses to the question. Laura and Dee, prays are going out to you. So sorry for your loss of another b-i-l, Laura. Glad your retreat went well, Dee. Praying for this week for you and all our blog friends who get to see each other and you this week.
OK. My turn. I am still pondering Thomas from last week. I loved the new insight of Jesus’ rebuking and then blessing Thomas, followed by Thomas’ great declaration “My Lord and my God!” Last week’s lesson showed me that God certainly can use failures to do great kingdom work. So amazing and wonderful! And now Peter is another great example. Looking forward to the week.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
The general topic hit me, I have been a failure and I continue to fail without realizing it until it’s too late. Yesterday, my sister and I were talking with my mom about how she is doing through the grieving of losing my dad. This past week she blew up at some of her home care workers. I asked her about it and she said that she hadn’t cried because she was too mad at my dad. We did find out that there were signs of his heart weakening that had he not been so stubborn and gotten them checked out by his doctor when they occurred, he might still be here. My mom felt that he could have done different things and that he could have avoided dying when he did. I reminded her that she was doing the very same thing by not taking care of herself (not going to bed, eating junk food). We had a fairly lengthy conversation that ended with my sister writing down a simple prayer for her to say “Lord, I am mad at Al (my dad), please help me.”
I have myself some medical issues, which I am conscious of going to the doctor for (I didn’t want to ignore things like my dad had done). My doctor has been treating my adrenal gland dysfunction since last summer and although progress is slow, it is still progress. When I was first diagnosed, I was really good about my diet and the things my doctor wanted me to do or not do, but then once my dad was moved to palliative care, that kinda fell apart mostly because my schedule was so hectic (at least that is what I tell myself). I am supposed to stay away from sugar (even keeping fruit to a minimum), gluten and minimal dairy. I fell a few weeks ago on some ice and still have residual of a mild concussion. So given all of that, I came home from chatting with my mom yesterday and ate some jelly beans, had a hamburger (including cheese and a bun (not gluten free) for dinner with some wine. The only part of any of that which is actually allowed was the meat in my burger. I had been conscious about what I should be doing, but then with the odd slipping here and there, what were minor slips became not paying attention to what I should be doing. Things where there was an immediate negative consequence, I was able to let go of, however where there wasn’t an immediate consequence, I didn’t see the damage, it was subtle. If I am honest, I allowed the deception to remain that I was still making progress. My progress could have been so much better, I could be healthier, I could be a lot less tired. There are a number of things that would be better had I consciously and consistently paid closer attention to what the doctor was telling me to do.
All of that came to my mind today as I read the blog and how that attitude relates to me spiritually as well. I know that my salvation is assured because of the risen Christ, my progress is still progress no matter how slow. I keep thinking that if Peter continued to make mistakes, Paul felt like he continued to fail, they were a lot stronger than I am. When I was first saved, I was more assured (or perhaps arrogant) about who I was in the Lord. As I get older, I see how often I fail my Lord and realize just how unworthy of Him I truly am and yet His love for me will never change. Even knowing how unworthy I am, I still eat the jelly beans without thinking. After it is done, I realize how stupid it was and go to the Lord, but I wonder when I will ever get my act together and improve my relationship with Him. Why do I continue to gloss over things that if I really paid attention to, would improve so much of my life and relationship to my Lord. I am continually praying for Him to change my heart as I want that close relationship with Him and I still see them happening.
Sorry about being long winded, it all fit together in my mind as I was reading this weeks study.
mary-Canada–you are going through so much. Sorry for your medical issues, and your mom’s pain. You said this “As I get older, I see how often I fail my Lord and realize just how unworthy of Him I truly am and yet His love for me will never change”–you reminded me of Billy Graham, I remember years ago hearing him say that the closer he gets to God the more he sees how sinful he really is–that impacted me, and erased the illusion that we will ever “arrive” on this side! But thanks be to God for His amazing, unending, inexhaustible grace!
AMEN, Elizabeth!
Mary, it sounds like you’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching and thinking and pondering…don’t mind your “long-windedness” at all! I am glad that this week’s study helped you to put this all together, and it is so clear that you have a desire for Him, Mary. He doesn’t require that we get our act together before He will be in relationship with us! I didn’t know you had all these medical issues going on…and diet restrictions – all so hard. I will be praying for you, Mary.
I was reminded in the sermon I heard today by my pastor about Peter’s doubt after the resurrection and how the angel at the empty tomb told Mary Magdeline to go and tell the disciples and Peter! “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” (Mark 16:7 NIV). So isn’t Peter a disciple? Why would Jesus single him out? Pastor stated it is all about Jesus’ grace. Peter got many things wrong, but Jesus got it right. Pastor also said we could each insert our own name in place of Peter.
The Skit Guys also do a skit on this topic:
http://youtu.be/EhoFEuw2GPA
So what stands out for me? I sin repeatedly and I know that I do. My sin nature still in my body loves to sin. Paul talks of this in Romans 7. And I can get hung up on its somehow my job to fix it so I don’t keep repeating my sin. But I can’t fix me. Only Jesus can do that. I need his righteousness which is a free gift in exchange for my sin (God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)). Sure, I want to live my life pleasing to God but I know I can’t do it. I think Jesus knows this about me too. I need Him to live through me in His strength.
I just don’t always let Him or I just don’t know how to let Him.
Carol, I just now got a chance to view the Skit Guys video — and it is soooo good. Thank you for sharing it, and I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it! I love the Skit Guys anyway.
What stood out to you and why?
Two things:
1. ” And the very last story in John’s gospel is this story of Jesus shaping a great failure into a great leader. There is so much to learn about facing our sin, facing our denial and fearing God enough to have a play-dough heart.”
I like to think of John saving the best story for last. (Smile here). Because we all need to hear and read about the likeness of people like Peter. So much like us with failures and regrets but God have so chose him and now, us for a purpose. So glad Peter had a play-dough heart-moldable, pliable. I can see Peter making mistakes again and again. The memory of his denial of Jesus and Jesus’s forgiveness and commissioning surely had served as an impetus for his boldness and faithfulness to the end and kept him from despair and ineffectiveness when difficulties arose.
2. The woman in the video singing, “I wondered how He knew?” What a poignant question! Perhaps when Peter went out and wept bitterly, that could have been one of his questions. For me it would be marveling and saying words like the ones in the song “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure( despite of and in spite of us). I have denied Him so many times by my words and actions and yet He says, “I love you for you and my Son died for you.” What love, indeed!
I loved that too “I wonder how he knew…”
2. Read Matthew 26:30-35
A. What does Jesus say will happen to all of them with the shepherd is struck?
They will deny him.
B. How does Peter feel he is different?
Not sure here; he says he will not deny even if everyone else does; he says he will die with him. But all the other disciples say the same thing, so I’m not really sure how he stands out.
What stood out to you from the above and why?
Trampling on the Son of God stood out to me. How prone I am to let the goodness of the gifts make me greedy for more instead of grateful to the giver. Again and again I want to enjoy the good favor of people or the blessing of food in ways that are sinful. But I get to repent, I get to see that my strength indeed is small, and that I am an unworthy recipient of grace. That makes me want to stay near and dependent. I love the tender way Jesus restores Peter, with Peter’s pride and self reliance properly smashed, but with a new depth of reliance on grace and forgiveness.
What stands ouT? The clarification of the Hebrews passage – hard-hearted and rebellious. We see many pictures of this type of sin in the Old Testament. If I have become so arrogant that I am unwilling to heed the nudges of the Holy Spirit regarding my sin, then my heart begins to harden. Over time, that continued hardening means that I become unwilling to listen to God. I am unwilling to change. Now I am modeling the attitude of Satan, making myself out to be God.
The other thing that impressed me is the thinking that we have conquered sin. Human nature is to sin. As long as we are on this earth, we are sinners sinning. I believe as we mature in Christ we become more in tune with what causes us to choose sin over obedience. While others may not see us sin, in the acts we do, we know our attitudes are wrong. The more we confront those attitudes, the more we must acknowledge the depth of our sin nature. This is where Christ can really work in our lives, allowing the Holy Spirit to show us our true nature, and, because we are appalled by it, we choose to change course.
Regarding Matthew 26:30-35 – Peter exhibits an arrogance in his ability to handle challenging situations. He models the arrogance that we all have in believing that we are stronger in our faith than we actually are. I do not believe this was a hard-hearted arrogance, but a youthful, immature idea of what he could handle. Most of us do not really see our shortcomings honestly, but Christ does. That is why it is so necessary to rely on Him. He gives us the power to meet those difficult situations. Perhaps this is why we believers must continue to experience difficulties in our lives. We need the reminder of just how weak we are, as well as others need to see us allow Christ’s power to help us cope.
B. How does Peter feel he is different?
I wonder if Peter felt he had a measure of faith that was greater than what he saw in his fellow disciples.
Though I don’t think we usually boast out loud, I think many in the church boast in our thoughts as we compare ourselves to one another. I shudder to think how often I have looked at a fellow believer and felt superior somehow, as to the way I understand something, or the style of worship I prefer, my willingness to do this or that or NOT to do this or that.
It is all really stupid sinful boasting. If I am gifted to understand something or to serve in some way, it is just that, a gift and nothing I should take my identity from.
So often we elevate personal preference to a level of judgement. We decide that the way we prefer something is the only right way and if others were godly they would think the same way we do.
Scripture is clear again and again that the only proper boast is in our God.
Jeremiah 9 23Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Chris – I love that you referenced the verses in Jeremiah – so reminds me that Scripture is seamless and it sets a lovely context for our exploration of Peter and his words and actions here. 🙂
A. What does Jesus say will happen to all of them when the shepherd is struck?
Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7, which says that the sheep will be scattered. Jesus clarifies that they will all abandon him, or fall away.
B. How does Peter feel he is different?
Peter is self-confident. He is confident that even if everyone else abandons Jesus, he will stick by him.
Good to “see” you Kerryn! I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you were.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Peter was sure he would never deny Jesus. He was sure he loved Jesus more than the other disciples. He said, “Even if all of these deny you, I will not.” But Peter denied him again and again and again.
Multiple times over the years, particularly at conferences, I have been asked with which Bible character I relate most closely. Each time I have answered, “Peter!” The scene I was picturing when I answered was when Peter denied Jesus three times. The apostle Paul pretty much confessed to a similar problem in Romans 7:16 — “I don’t know what I ‘m doing, because I don’t do what I want to do. Instead I do the thing that I hate.” (CEB) In Elizabeth’s last post, she was saying that she didn’t believe we would “arrive” on this side of heaven. You will note that I responded with a big AMEN! I think recurrent sin is one of the prime problems in a Christian’s life. When I saw where the topic is going this week, I had a very definite “Aha” feeling!
🙂
oh Mary–PRAISING HIM FOR THIS “Today has probably been the best day I have had in several weeks. ” !!!
Ditto!
Yes, Mary. So glad you had a good day yesterday. Praising God with you.
I did not see these until just now. Thank you all! Today has been a bit more rough but it might be due to over-doing it yesterday. It seems that when I get a good day I then over-do it a bit and end up paying for it the next day. 🙁 BUT, still praising God for the good days!
Hopeful for any good news…tucked in God of All Comfort in my suitcase for you should you be able to make it!
Thank you, Dee! =)
3. Read John 18:17-19 and describe the scene.
Jesus and another disciple walk into a courtyard. There were soldiers around a camp fire and Peter was there also. A girl who was working asked Peter if he was with Jesus. Peter says no.
4. Read John 21:9 and describe the scene.
This scene is when the disciples are fishing. When they reach the shore in their boat and they see Jesus and a charcoal fire burning. There were fish cooking on the fire. Jesus asks them to bring more fish and come for breakfast.
5. Fragrance triggers memories. What memory do you think Jesus was trying to trigger in Peter and why?
This is hard….. Is he wanting to remind Peter that he denied him once already with the charcoal fire?
You got it, Laura!
2. Read Matthew 26:30-35
A. What does Jesus say will happen to all of them with the shepherd is struck?
They will all be scattered — will go off in all directions. They will abandon Jesus. Jesus also specifies that Peter will deny Him three times.
B. How does Peter feel he is different?
Peter couldn’t really speak for the other disciples; he could only speak for himself. At that moment Peter felt very sure of his resolve to follow Jesus, no matter what. Of course, we know that wasn’t what happened that night.
3. Read John 18:17-19 and describe the scene.
A servant woman stationed at the gate asks Peter if he is one of Jesus’ disciples, and Peter assures her that he is not. Then Peter joins the servants and guards who are huddled around a fire to keep warm.
4. Read John 21:9 and describe the scene.
The disciples have just come ashore after having had a miraculous fishing experience (after Jesus called to them from the shore and instructed them to move their nets to the other side of the boat). They find that Jesus has a fire going on the beach with fish on it, and there is bread. Basically, Jesus has prepared breakfast for them.
5. Fragrance triggers memories. What memory do you think Jesus was trying to trigger in Peter and why?
The scene of Peter’s reinstatement matches the scene of his denial of Jesus — around a charcoal fire.
6. Read John 21:15-19
A. What does Jesus ask Peter three times, and why do you think He asks three times?
He asks him if he loves him.
B. Why is it not heartless of Jesus to probe Peter so deeply?
To make Peter think? Once again I’m really not sure of these verses…. I’ve heard that in the Bible when things are repeated like that they’re very important. I suppose if if he asked him three times it might help him remember in the midst of his denial later?
C. How might the knowledge of how he was going to die prepare Peter to be the apostle to write the letters to strengthen suffering believers?
I’m not sure I understand how this passage tells Peter how he’s going to die. It just says he will have someone who has to take care of him in his old-age. Not following this line of questioning….. I don’t remember how Peter actually dies. I know that all the apostles were martyred but I can’t remember how he dies. Is it Peter or Paul who ends up on an island and lives to a very old age, isolated? I thought that was Paul; I guess I really need to go back and review.
Anyway, I guess if you know you’re going to be with Jesus in heaven (although this passage does not clearly state that) you can reassure other people that they will too if they follow Christ.
D. What do you think was the sin beneath the sin that caused Peter to deny Christ, and how did Jesus repeated question help him see the solution?
I think it must be something like arrogance or pride. Like, Peter didn’t want to be associated with Christ…. He was too good for him.
E. Tim Keller says “Every sin is a denial of Christ.” Explain.
We need to run to Christ when we want to sin instead of choosing sin.
Laura – those are great questions about Peter’s death – I don’t feel it’s very clear here either!! Except that the Holy Spirit in verse 19 TELLS us that this told Peter how he was to die….glorifying Christ. Which had to be enormously comforting (as well as humanly terrifying) to him – to know that his faith would hold in martyrdom. Christian tradition tell us that Peter was crucified (“stretch out your hands”?) and possibly even crucified upside down – but that is tradition and not Scripture. John the disciple is the only one of the disciples to live to old age….he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation.
Just wondering if your Bible is a Study Bible version? Even though study Bibles can be distracting, they can also be helpful with notes from scholars, cross references that help clarify at times, etc. The one I’m using now is the ESV Study Bible, but there are so many good ones out there! Just a thought…….
Thanks Jackie for the lesson! I have an NIV study bible, but tend to use the “youversion” online because it’s easy. Unfortunately, I struggle with time, and find it difficult to fit everything in my day. I am trying to read the chronological bible this year, plus work 2 jobs, and deal with two very stressful family situations with my kids that entail focused reading and praying right now with my husband. I’m not trying to make excuses…..I do spend time everyday reading. I just currently find it hard to “dig deeper.” I think I will keep it in mind though, for when I do the online bible study questions.
Laura – I totally understand about the seasons of life that can leave us breathless! Even being aware of some of this in your life I have so appreciated how diligent you are to make time for this study! In no way did I want the study Bible suggestion to be burdensome…..and I feel like in this season of life the Lord may be using all of the questions that you are asking to teach you, and by extension all of us as you share here! So that’s a very good thing. 🙂 Prayers continue for your perseverance through the trials Laura. And what a gem you tucked in here about praying with your husband – a true gift to your life to have this opportunity together! 🙂
Ditto to Jackie’s comments here, Laura. Your faithfulness to be here everyday always impresses me. Especially when I see how early in the morning you post! Praying with your husband; that also impresses me. We both pray for our kids, but rarely together. We should do that too.
5. Fragrance triggers memories. What memory do you think Jesus was trying to trigger in Peter and why?
I thought of the emotion attached to the memory, the fear that led to Peters denial, I thought of what Mary shared earlier this week about the anxiety of not measuring up, that we all related to on some level, and allowing Christ’s perfect love to cast out fear.
I have tastes of this freedom in my life, but then fear and insecurity rushes back in. I do long to be free from my body of sin and death and this endless self obsession.
A. What does Jesus ask Peter three times, and why do you think He asks three times? Do you love me? Peter had denied Christ three times, now three times he has a chance to look deeply into his heart.
B. Why is it not heartless of Jesus to probe Peter so deeply? I think coming to the end of ourselves must always hurt. God was preparing Peter to do great things, but the strength for the work ahead needed to come from God. Peters self sufficiency had to be painfully stripped away. Just like Peter at the cross, I don’t love God as deeply as I ought, as he deserves. It is good but hard for me to look at this truth. If I see how much he loves me in spite of my weaknesses, I can begin to let his perfect love cast out my fears, to compel me to service, to see other believers and their needs instead of constantly remaining collapsed in on myself.
2. Read Matthew 26:30-35. A. What does Jesus say will happen to all of them when the Shepherd is struck? B. How does Peter feel he is different?
Jesus tells the disciples that they will all fall away and be scattered when the persecution begins – their faith will not hold. Peter in effect says he will be the last man standing. This led me down a number of rabbit trails as I looked back at some of Peter’s actions, words and interactions with Jesus. I thought of the Transfiguration where Peter spoke “for he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.” Or as Luke says “not knowing what he said.”. Often it seems Peter did not know what he was saying…..as when he rebuked Jesus for saying that he was to die…..”far be it from you Lord”. Jesus responded “Get behind me Satan…..” Even though Jesus was speaking to all of the disciples, he singled Peter out when saying “Satan has desired to sift you like wheat”. And from Peter come some of the boldest declarations of who Christ really is: “you are the Christ, the son of the Living God”, to which Jesus replies “Blessed are you, Simon…..flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven…” (Matt 16:13-20). Maybe most poignant of all (I can’t read this passage without tearing up) John 6:66-71. So many times in these encounters I can’t help but notice that Jesus references Satan/the Devil. Peter was clearly a passionate man – and those passions were soon to be ever more conformed to the Holy Spirit’s ministrations…..but I think the element of the spiritual battle waxing hot as Jesus is very near the cross Satan was targeting the spokesman of the disciples, the passionate Peter. I love that Peter later on wrote these words to those suffering persecution “do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct….” 1 Peter 1: 14&15. WAY too much here to get a grasp of…..but the shaping of Peter’s passionate life through the work of the Holy Spirit is beautiful to behold and so glorifies the risen Christ!
Thank you Jackie for this rich Peter personalty profile, there is a lot to think about here.
Jackie, very rich ponderings on Peter here. I especially appreciate the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1: 14&15. Peter must have thought deeply about his passions and his failures during his lifetime. Peter certainly was a man of passions that needed to be conformed to the image of Christ!
Yes, I agree Diane….my sin rears it’s ugly head daily and yet, I continue in the same path without thinking, daily. Ughhhh.
Jackie, THANK YOU. So rich. This especially strikes me:
Great reflections — love looking at his letters to see the man he became.
6. Read John 21:15-19
A. What does Jesus ask Peter three times, and why do you think He asks three times?
Well, here is where I am going way out on a limb — trying to remember what I learned in my college Greek class. By the way, the only scripture we studied in Greek was the Gospel of John. When we came to this portion where Jesus repeatedly asked Peter if Peter loved him, I remember my professor pointing out that Jesus and Peter start out speaking of two types of love — phileo and agape. Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Him with agape love, and the first two times Peter responds saying he loves Jesus with phileo-type love, but with Jesus persistent questioning, finally on the third try Peter comes up to the mark and answers that he loves Jesus with agape-type love. Agape love is witih the total concern being for the person loved with nothing held back by the person loving. So Peter finally agreed that he loved Jesus totally and with no thought for himself. I hope I got this right — it has been more than 50 years, but it made a big impression on me at the time we were studying it.
B. Why is it not heartless of Jesus to probe Peter so deeply?
Jesus knew He was going to be depending on Peter to carry the gospel and be a leader in the early church, and Jesus had to be sure that Peter was totally on-board, willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus to do all of that.
Good memory. I have heard that also.
Now that you say this, Deanna, I also remember hearing this. (but had forgotten!) Have also heard that he asked him 3 times because he denied him 3 times. But there has to be significance in the responses that Peter gave Jesus indicating the type of love.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why? title and date — they stick in my mind because I’ve certainly got the first part of the title down. AND dates because I know this is the week Dee will be in Fargo and Ashland — and several of you are getting together. PRAYING for this week, especially.
Thanks so much for your prayers, Renee. Waiting for my plane to Fargo now!
2. Read Matthew 26:30-35
A. What does Jesus say will happen to all of them with the shepherd is struck? sheep will be scattered. What seems even more confusing (makes me more curious) is right before that: “You will all fall away because of me this night.”
B. How does Peter feel he is different? Peter said he would never fall away — even if others do.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why? “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” (Hebrews 10:26)
If I’m honest, what stands out to me is that I find this verse completely terrifying. (And not for myself. I am fully confident of God’s grace and am not frightened of losing it. My heart is His even though I repeatedly fail Him.) But depending on what ‘knowledge of the truth’ means, this has staggering ramifications for loved ones who do know it in their heads (good ‘knowledge’ of the words of scripture) but for whom the real truth of the gospel seems to have not penetrated or they have tasted it and rejected it. And in some cases, there has been repeated evidence of ‘trampling underfoot’ the Son of God and ignoring so great a salvation in very serious ways. Feeling battle weary. Not finding much comfort in the example of Peter because in those I am thinking of, the love for the Master has not been evidenced for so long. Whereas with Peter, his impulsivity created a roller coaster of ups and downs; passionately in love with Jesus yet falling on his face in grand fashion. If I saw evidence of that passionate love for Jesus one moment, the falling away would seem so much more reversible. I know I need to apply this lesson to myself and I will study it in that manner (as best I can….I don’t expect to be here much this week either) but I can’t help but wonder about those I love who repeatedly resist and reject Him.
Wanda – once again, you verbalized what so many of us have probably wrestled with. You are not alone.
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Dee’s reaction to Twila…that would’ve been me, too. I am glad for the full explanation Twila gave of that verse in Hebrews. Yet, I too know the repeating of sin, all the while rationalizing it or deceiving myself or even denying it for a while. There are times when I just don’t want to face my sin, to face the “why” am I doing this? Because it is hard work, and it’s so much easier to sweep it under the rug, to say I’ll deal with it later. I had just such a feeling the other night while reading Ragamuffin Gospel.
As I read through comments, there has been so much rich sharing already this week…so much honesty here.
7. Contrast the reaction of Peter to Jesus in a similar miracle in Luke 5:8 with his responses in John 21:7. What do you think made the difference?
In Luke, Peter seems astonished that Jesus produced fish for them. In John, he knows it is he because he produces the fish. No astonishment there, only belief.
I just found this, I think this is a really helpful Gospel Coalition article on Hebrews:26– http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/warning-passages-ahead
Thanks, Elizabeth. Will save this to read later. I opened and skimmed it but can’t tackle studying it right now. I appreciate the link!
8. Read Hebrews 12:1-11
A. In verse 1, the author talks about the sin which clings so closely, or the sin that easily entangles you. As you are still before God, what does He tell you that might be in your life?
That we have “witnesses” that surround us, and we need to put away our sin; focus on Jesus. I find it convicting that it says this:
“In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:4 ESV) (my italics)
wow…..
B. Imagine Jesus were to confront you about this as He did Peter. How might He set the scene? What question might He ask you repeatedly?
He would probably ask me if I loved him enough to give up the things that make me sin repeatedly.
C. Why should we not be afraid of the Lord’s discipline? Find everything you can in verses 5-11.
He he loves me and that’s why I am disciplined. He cares enough to discipline me. I want discipline, because if given, I know I am loved. I don’t want to be an “illegitimate” son. Our earthly fathers disciplined us and we respected, so if our Heavenly Father disciplines, it will be for a much longer period that we will be able to “share his holiness.” If disciplined by Him, we will share the “peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
I think I need to remember Jesus asking Peter if he loved Him each time I start to sin. I will say (as Tevye asked Golde in fiddler on the roof), “Laura, do you love me?” It will be a reminder to not sin.
Laura,
Thank you for this. Me too. I need to be arrested by this question of the Lord, often – “do you love me?”
Why did Jesus probe? I think we often forget that Jesus goes to root of sin in our lives. The probing helped Peter to see the sin as Christ saw it. Once Peter became aware of it, the Holy Spirit, who would be given upon Christ’s death and resurrection, would be able to guide Peter to continue to change his heart, to continue to become more obedient to the will of Christ. Only with an obedient heart could he do what Christ needed him to accomplish in Christ’s name.
Why should I not fear the Lord’s discipline? There are many reasons listed in the passage. To begin, I am disciplined by Him because He loves me. I am not alone in being disciplined, but it is a requisite for all those He chooses. Discipline comes through trials, which I must endure to grow. I need to recognize that it is for my own good so that I can share in the holiness of God. Finally, if I learn from my discipline, then I will be filled with the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
So, the question becomes, why do we persist in believing we are righteous when things are going well or when there are no problems in our life? It is clear from this passage that those who walk closely with Christ will be disciplined, experiencing various trials, and it will probably not be a one time practice, but a continuous work as He works in us to weed out the root causes of our sinful nature. To me, that means that the more I am disgusted with what I see in my own life, the more Christ is actually working at disciplining me. Will I take the hint and submit to His discipline? That is the big question. I suppose the sooner one submits, the more closely one is walking with Him.
Thank you, Christ, and give me the grace to appreciate the work of weeding you continue to do in me and to help me choose to submit to your discipline quickly. Amen.
The sooner one repents the more closely one is walking with him.
6 E. Tim Keller says “Every sin is a denial of Christ.” Explain.
We cannot serve two masters–we either serve Christ as Lord and Master, or the enemy. So with every sin, we have denied Christ as our Lord, and are choosing something else as our lord and master.
7. Contrast the reaction of Peter to Jesus in a similar miracle in Luke 5:8 with his responses in John 21:7. What do you think made the difference?
I love this contrast! He had tasted of His grace—and was free!
8. A. In verse 1, the author talks about the sin which clings so closely, or the sin that easily entangles you. As you are still before God, what does He tell you that might be in your life?
In reading this just now,I recalled an incident from earlier tonight and my mind went to Luke 6:41 “ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
My dear son is all heart but is notorious for leaving his shoes right in the walkway between the kitchen and back door. We repeatedly remind him to ‘put away your shoes’! Well, my patience was worn thin today on other things, so when I tripped on the shoes tonight—I firmly told him “get up right now and come put these shoes away!” He said ‘yes mamm’, and then looking at me asks ‘where do you want me to put them?’. It was then that I looked down and realized it was MY shoes. I had left them in the way and tripped over my own shoes! Agh. This sweet one smiles before I can (profusely) apologize and tells me over an over ‘it’s OK mamma. We all make mistakes.’ But then when I came and saw this question I thought how quickly I see what others do wrong without looking first to my own sin. It’s no excuse but being in parenting mode sometimes feels like I’m always seeing what I need to correct, teach…but I was convicted tonight that I want to be slow to point out what is wrong in others—whether it’s a newscaster’s outfit or another driver. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” Psalm 139:23
Just read your answer to 8A, Elizabeth and it’s similar to mine. I resonate with that a lot!
5. Fragrance triggers memories. What memory do you think Jesus was trying to trigger in Peter and why?
At first, I thought of the bread he was inviting them to eat and thought of the Last Supper when Peter declared that He wanted Jesus to wash all of Him and showed his fierce loyalty to Jesus. But I don’t know that the bread in the upper room would be as fragrant as the bread cooking over the fire? But I do think the campfire smell would remind Peter of the campfire where he warmed himself when He denied his Lord. Jesus may have been triggering the memory of the loyalty he had declared and then his grave failure by denying him so that it would melt his heart.
B. Why is it not heartless of Jesus to probe Peter so deeply? Jesus knew that He was soon leaving. He wanted Peter to have the awareness of His love and to cement Peter’s love for Jesus while there was still time for them to be together. Without the probing, Peter may not have really gotten it. He was often impetuous. The questioning made him take time to reflect and examine himself. It gave the chance for their relationship to be renewed and restored.
C. How might the knowledge of how he was going to die prepare Peter to be the apostle to write the letters to strengthen suffering believers? Peter had the anticipatory grief of knowing that he would suffer intense, unthinkable pain during his execution. When he wrote his epistles, it was through the vicarious, emotional anguish anticipating the foreboding physical and emotional anguish that was yet to come. He knew from where he would get his strength.
D. What do you think was the sin beneath the sin that caused Peter to deny Christ, and how did Jesus repeated question help him see the solution? By Peter stopping to think about how his actions took him away from fellowship with Jesus, he could realize that he had chosen the security of being unidentified with Jesus when the going got tough. It was perilous and risky to claim to be Jesus’ follower, so he chose security instead. The solution was to identify with Jesus again and to care for those who also wanted to know and follow His teachings.
Wanda–love your “B”–“It gave the chance for their relationship to be renewed and restored.” Such grace
A. In verse 1, the author talks about the sin which clings so closely, or the sin that easily entangles you. As you are still before God, what does He tell you that might be in your life? Without even being still, before I read this question, I had already felt conviction for something today and as I thought about it, I realize it IS an entangling sin. I often have a need to be right. And also to feel like my rights are not ignored. Let’s see if I can explain. I’ve been having headaches and blurry vision for months now. At first I thought it could be related to some new medication, but then it dawned on me that it had to be that my glasses prescription no longer suited me. So, I had an eye exam 3 weeks ago. Sure enough. In fact, my optometrist told me that with the amount of astigmatism I have, I can’t go 2 years between visits, as I had done. My prescription is tricky and I know that new glasses are very costly, so I try to stretch out as many months as possible between visits. So I bit the bullet and ordered new specs for $750.00. After a week, I called to see if the new glasses were ready since we about to leave on our trip. Yes, they were in, but the lenses do ‘not match’, I was told. They have to be sent back and be re-done. I was mildly upset by this. We returned from our trip and I get a call that yes, they are in. Again. I went to pick them up and when I tried them on, I cringed and quickly close my eyes. They instantly hurt my eyes. The prescription was completely wrong. Again. I could feel the anger rising in me. I am paying a lot of money for these! I avoid the discount places and faithfully remain a customer at my local eye clinic, assuming that their expertise is superior and necessary. (My dr. has assured me of this). I was less than gracious I know. I felt the anger of having my ‘rights’ violated by someone else’s stupid mistake. Ugh. When I left, I said to the person in charge, Well, I guess I’ll just have to live with headaches awhile longer and not in a friendly way. When I drove home, I immediately was reminded of how Mary E. expressed her desire to forgive her oncologist for disregarding the pain she had in her neck and shoulders for so long because she didn’t pursue the source or order an MRI. And my first instinct was to fume about incompetence and somehow ‘make it known’ to others how poorly I had been treated. (I did fume awhile with my husband).
B. Imagine Jesus were to confront you about this as He did Peter. How might He set the scene? What question might He ask you repeatedly? When I thought over the experience of today, I think Jesus may have reviewed incidents in my own life when I have been inept in my care for others. When I’ve neglected or forgotten to do something that was expected of me. Actually, just today, about the time I was at the eye clinic, I was supposed to be having lunch with the high school student I mentor and I had completely forgotten it! (and it’s not the first time either). Jesus may have reminded me of the time I completely messed up with the credit card machine by hitting the wrong numbers at work and a customer who came in for 5 minutes to buy one bag of apples, ended up staying 45 minutes while I tried to fix my mistake without continuing to charge her credit card an exorbitant amount of money! She was extremely gracious and I thanked her profusely at the time. But, now someone else had ‘wronged’ me and I was less than gracious. Jesus may have said, Wanda, have YOU ever failed anyone? Have I loved you anyway? Have others forgiven you anyway? Have I forgiven you anyway?
My ‘rights’ and my need to ‘be right’ need to bow to His righteousness.
Loving following the study but have not been able to post. I know I have missed a lot of your posts in recent weeks. I scanned most tonight.
Jackie you do have a beautiful way with words as do many of you! Laura I am so sorry for your recent losses. I will lift your family especially your husband in prayer.
Mary E you continue to inspire me thankful for the good days you have and pray the Lord continue to fill you with His joy for the joy of the Lord is our strength! I do pray you get to the retreat where Dee will be. So glad some of you are going I would so love to meet you all.
Dee thank you for these studies. Praying for you!
i am in such a place of peace right at the moment in my marriage. I am really looking at what I focus on.
I just wanted to share that praise report. One day at a time
I love this community!
Liz–what a blessing to come on this morning and see your praise for your marriage–thanking Him with you~
Elizabeth Thank you. I LOVE your tender heart stories you share of your children and the rich lessons we can learn from them!
Thanks Liz!
Liz – so good to see you here! Thanks for sharing all of the encouragement. 🙂
Thank you Jackie always so good to be here!
So glad to see you this morning, Liz, and especially to hear your words; being at peace, keeping focus, one day at a time. Blessings from His hand!
Thank you Wanda. One moment at a time right? Step by step
Yes Liz, it surely is “one day at a time”.
6. Read John 21:15-19
A. What does Jesus ask Peter three times, and why do you think He asks three times?
He asks Peter if he loves him. Peter denied him three times and so there might be something significant about that? At first layer of reading I tend to think Jesus does this three times to help Peter really search his heart as to whether or not He loves his idols- comfort/approval more than Jesus and He is giving him a chance to turn. Jesus is moving a boulder from the stream. What Love!
B. Why is it not heartless of Jesus to probe Peter so deeply?
I think Jesus is showing Peter how much he loves him by probing Him deeply for He is helping him catch the foxes. Especially so with comfort and mans approval. All of us every moment of every day can deny Christ by beholding our idols.
I was listening to a Keller sermon yesterday on ‘self control’..and he said sin is the disordering of desires-we are finding our identity in other things rather than Jesus but when the Gospel seeps in deeper and deeper-He becomes more and more and we become less and less..When He is our ‘epi-desire’ our desires will be His-everything we do is giving Him glory because He is our desire in it..we will wait on Him more and more. Jesus knew Peter struggled with this.
I LOVE IT that Jesus put Peter in such a high role in shepherding the flock-out front shepherding people. Someone who struggles with an approval and comfort idol! 🙂
2. Read Matthew 26:30-35
A. What does Jesus say will happen to all of them when the shepherd is struck?
The disciples, the “sheep of the flock”, will be scattered when the shepherd, Jesus, is struck. Interesting how the disciples are likened to sheep. When the shepherd, their source of safety, comfort, and security, is stricken, the “sheep” become filled with terror, confusion, and they run.
B. How does Peter feel he is different?
Peter feels he is a “superior sheep”. He says that even if all the others fall away, he never will. He feels bold enough to say that even if he has to die with Jesus, he will never disown Him.
3. Read John 18:17-19 and describe the scene.
As Peter enters the courtyard of the high priest, a girl at the door asks him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” Peter replies, “I am not.” The night air is cold, and some servants and officials had made a fire to keep themselves warm, and Peter also goes and stands with them, warming himself by the fire.
4. Read John 21:9 and describe the scene.
The disciples had been fishing, and when they landed back on the shore (Peter swam) there was Jesus and a fire of burning coals and some fish cooking, as well as some bread.
5. Fragrance triggers memories. What memory do you think Jesus was trying to trigger in Peter and why?
Well, there’s nothing like the smell of a smoky campfire…the last time Peter stood around a fire was the chilly night when Jesus was arrested and he had said that He didn’t know Him. After denying the Lord, Peter must have felt like such a failure, and how could he have done that to his best friend? I also wonder though if Jesus was also trying to trigger memories of meals shared together…the closeness and intimacy of their meals together, because here was a meal prepared for them to share together. The fish may have smelled delicious cooking over the fire. Jesus is telling Peter that he hasn’t lost his relationship with Him…the first fire was associated with cold, denial…this fire draws Peter back into the warmth of fellowship with Jesus.
I love this summary statement, Susan.
6. Read John 21:15-19
A. What does Jesus ask Peter three times, and why do you think He asks three times?
It could be that because Peter denied knowing the Lord three times, Jesus asks him three times if he loves Him. I find it interesting that when Jesus first told them that “the sheep would scatter”, Peter declared that he would never fall away, even if the others did. In other words, “I love You more than they do.” The first time in this passage that Jesus asks Peter, “Do you truly love Me”, He adds, more than these? Peter replies, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.” Peter does not say You know I love You more than these. He is no longer comparing himself with the others, he is no longer boasting. I see Peter focusing solely on the Lord Jesus, on his own heart and love for Jesus, no longer worried about being better or more devoted than the others. And then, this “vertical” focus on the Lord is directed “horizontally”, or outward, by Jesus, because as Peter declares his love, Jesus asks Peter to take care of His sheep.
B. Why is it not heartless of Jesus to probe Peter so deeply?
Jesus is not being sarcastic here, or trying to remind Peter of his great failure with a “sideways comment” by asking three times. Yet verse 17 does say that Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” It sure would be helpful to be able to have seen Jesus’ eyes and His expression as He kept questioning Peter! Jesus is probing Peter’s heart…it may have been painful for Peter to have to go there and remember the denial, three times, but it seems like Jesus is trying to “flesh something out” in Peter’s heart. There is guilt, I’m sure, and remorse, but Jesus is not accusatory. Maybe a painful chipping away or a painful pulling off scales (Eustace)? It is painful, it is humbling, and it is necessary to mature Peter into the leader he is to become.
Actually reading further down in John 21 right after Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved him and then told him what was to come for him. Peter turns around and sees ” the disciple Jesus loved” and asks what was to happen to him? So he does go right back to comparing himself!
I have to say one thing the Lord has been giving me SO STRONG is STOP COMPARING YOURSELF stop comparing your marriage, your walk, your work, your success or lack there of, EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!! He has been showing me He has a walk specific for ME!!!!!!!! And some people may not feel how I am handling something to be the right way. Do not let that influence you if you feel the Lord is directing you. BUT STAY CLOSE TO KNOW THAT YOU KNOW.
If I am worried about someone else’s walk or comparing myself or worried about mans opinion I am hung up in my idols and I am not where I need to be, and I will never be effectively serving HIM.
The Lord does bring people, books, messages cross our paths that can speak to us yet we ALWAYS have to go back and check with HIM on EVERYTHING!!!!!! there is no blanket walk for everyone. And if the Lord has showed me something I can never impress that on anyone thinking this has to also be the way for them!!!!!! and on the flip side if the Lord has lead someone else in a way that if I believe it is not my way that does not make their way wrong!!!!!!!
Oh how freeing this is!!!! How beautiful that we serve a God that knows us individually and has an individual plan for us all. Yes LORD I LOVE YOU
These are some good thoughts about the trap of comparison, Liz. I fall into that one a lot too. Need to keep this statement in mind.
Liz, these are timely words…I also seem to be constantly comparing myself to others; my marriage, my Christian walk…so easy as Wanda said to fall into that trap! It reminds me of the verse about running the race set before you…I think of at a track meet the runners must stay in their own lane; you can’t go over the line into someone else’s lane. God has a “lane” for each of us and it’s hard to run when you’re always looking around at everyone else!
#5 As far as the answer with Peter and the coals I do not think it was only the smell association I think it associates to Isaiah 6
6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;The whole earth is full of His glory!”
4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 So I said:
“Woe is me, for I am undone!Because I am a man of unclean lips,And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;For my eyes have seen the King,The Lord of hosts.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said:
“Behold, this has touched your lips;Your iniquity is taken away,And your sin purged.”
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”