Weak Missionaries
Matthew 26:69-75 Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said. 71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 73 A little later some other bystanders came over to him and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74 Peter said, “I swear by God, I don’t know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went away, crying bitterly.
I love this passage! Okay, I know that sounds a bit weird. Here’s Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and disciples, completely stabbing him in the back. “No, I don’t know that guy! I’ve had nothing to do with him!” Peter is so consumed with self-interest and worry from all the “peer pressure” that he denies any association with Jesus…Jesus! He’d hung with Jesus for over three years now, seen all His miraculous displays of authority and power, heard His message of truth and grace, talked about His coming kingdom, and yet here he’s so worried about the reactions of the people that he completely turns His back on Him. Yeah, this isn’t normally one of those stories you’re supposed to feel good about. And actually, it’s not really this story that I love so much, but its what happens after this story.
Peter goes on to become one of Jesus’ greatest missionaries later in life. Take a peak through the book of Acts and see how many times Peter’s name pops up in connection with some major event in the life of the church or the spread of Christ’s kingdom. That’s so encouraging to me. Because I know how often I’ve turned my back on Christ. I know how many times I’ve wanted nothing to do with Him when things weren’t going my way or the situation was a bit difficult or whatever. This passage reminds me that in spite of everything Jesus’ is delighted to use imperfect sinners in the cause of His great mission.
It’s also a great reminder that the real work of the kingdom is done by Christ Himself. It’s not Peter’s super spirituality or awesome saintliness that makes him such an effective missionary. Instead it’s the power of God’s grace at work through him. He, like all of us, was a broken instrument that Christ was willing to use…and use in really neat ways.
Denying Christ is a terrible thing! Unfortunately, it’s something we’ve all done. Yet, how reassuring it is that our screw-ups and failures never disqualify us from service in Christ’s kingdom mission. How great is the love of Jesus that forgives and sticks with us even when our backs are turned!
June 11, 2008 at 7:04 pm
This is a great and uplifting devotional, I gotta say, Aaron, I do love all your devotionals on here, they’re great!
Reminds me of the times that I denied Christ. I didn’t come right out and say, “No, I’m not a Christian / I don’t Love or know GOD.” but, I did however avoid answering certain people’s questions such as “what are you doing Sunday morning?” to which I would reply “Ohhh, just hanging out with some friends.” Which was very true because I was technically hanging out with friends while at Church, but the fact that I didn’t want to say that I was going to Church because I didn’t want to get made fun of is very much the same as right out saying that “I don’t know Christ”.
June 13, 2008 at 11:14 am
True – how many times do we sugar coat our faith to keep ourselves from being made fun of. I mean, wow. Didn’t think of that Jon. The times we just say, we are hanging out with friends, or calling a church picnic or service of any kind an “event” just to keep from saying, I’m going to church, or I’m worshipping my Savior – the one who gave me life. The one who died for me. The only blameless sinless man in the world who loves me more than life itself, and I dare to be afraid to tell someone? Shame on me. Thank God He loves us despite of our unfaithfulness. Lord knows, I am the queen of that (I’d say king, but you know the whole he, she, thing – lol). I have been not much different than Peter many times in my life – where I denied my Savior in one way or another. Maybe not exactly coming out and saying that I don’t know Him, but certainly not first in line to say HE IS MY KING. God forgive me for MY unbelief.