Not just once, but three times, Peter denied Jesus. I wonder what my count is? Yours is? Jesus denied all His rights. He “could have called down angels” and denied God’s will for His coming completed at Calvary, but He pressed on. He delighted more in what God wanted Him to do than anything else. (Matthew 26:53-54)
But Peter, when asked if He knew Jesus, “He swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” (Matthew 26:74) Did he delight in man’s approval over God’s? Was it fear that made Him deny Jesus? Or was it a little of both? What about us?
We live at war between our flesh and the spirit. Our desires can be tainted. Our wills compromised. The most beautiful part is that we always have a chance to turn, to keep shedding layers that don’t belong and turn to Jesus and His cause. It’s His delight and ultimate endeavor to receive us into His everlasting arms, instate us and send us out.
Jesus reinstated Peter, asking, “Do you love me?” Not once, but three times. He had to really consider his answer, so do we. “You know I love you,” Peter said. Jesus replied, “If you love Me, then feed and tend to my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
We all like sheep have gone astray, but Jesus lovingly asks us to assess our hearts, increase our love for Him, and bring more into the fold.
Will we delight more in Jesus than anything else and our response be this kind of love in action? As we respond, He empowers us to go forth, not in our own strength, but His.
How can you share the feast of God’s goodness with others? Take it in. Send it out. Every little bit matters. There’s only one you. What about today? Deny your flesh. Rise in the Spirit. The harvest is plenty, the workers are few, the time is now and He is worthy.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and “He” will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
