Corona Devo 562

So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance... (56) A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

(57) But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

(58) After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

(59) About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

(60) But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

(61) At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” (62) And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. ~Luke 22:54, 56-62  

Disappointment. Shame. Sorrow.

I can recall a couple dark times in my life where, like Peter, I became so convicted in my betrayal to Jesus and neglecting His call on my life that I wept.

Have you ever been that conflicted and convicted in your sin?

I can still "go there" in my mind, but I don't like to. I remember the details clearly, and mine will differ from yours, but the conviction of that moment creates a snapshot in our hearts that doesn't fade.

Disappointment. Shame. Sorrow.

It may have been a conversation when our words betrayed Jesus and our commitment to Him.

It might have been an act: stolen goods, stolen time, stolen kisses, even stolen glances that should not have happened.

It might have been willful disobedience--to make a statement, to take-our-stand, to choose self-promotion instead of God's glory in defiance of something and ultimately...in defiance of God.

Whatever it was, can you remember that moment of disappointment, shame and sorrow when your spirit realized that your betrayal was not just to another person/cause/idea...but to God? Peter knew that moment, and we do too: And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. (Luke 22:62).

Disappointment. Shame. Sorrow.

I realize that owning our sin is necessary for moving away from it. If we are "in" willful sin today, then allow us to feel the Lord turn and look at us (through His word) today.

But look deeper.

The look in Jesus' eyes as His gaze rests upon us is not one of disappointment or anger..it is love. And if we are ready to get over the shame of letting-Him-down by our sin: He's already there.

How do I know? How can you know? The Bible tells us so.

Peter betrayed Jesus, but Jesus welcomed Him back into communion with Him as soon as Peter was ready.

Redemption: how does it come? How do we move forward in loving Jesus/restoring the intimacy with Him after we have been adulterous in being committed to Him?

Feed His sheep.

This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

(15) After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

(16) Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

(17) A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. ~John 21:14-17

Jesus doesn't want us held captive in the memory and guilt of our past sin. He wants us active in living for Him and sharing Him with others.

Others are (still) stuck in the bondage of their sin. They "recall the details" because they are still living them. We were too, until that moment when the Lord turned and looked at us.

The conviction of "that moment"/our sin must come first, but freedom follows immediately if we are followers of Christ. (And He desires for us to be!). And right after the wave of relief in Christ's forgiveness comes freedom in sharing our story with others in getting there.

Redemption: how does it come? Through truth. When we share our stories (of sin and saving), we shed our guilt and we give others a true testimony that God is real. In this way, we are "feeding His sheep".

There is no disappointment, shame, or sorrow. Only freedom.

Today, let's leave the courtyard where we wept bitterly, and feed His sheep with our story of redemption in him.

Blessings, 

sarah     

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com