Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
Be With Me is a daily 7 minute chronological walk through the New Testament hosted by Michael Smith. It is for everyone who is curious about what Jesus actually said and did in the gospels. Most episodes will leave you with at least one good thought to chew on for the rest of the day. We start with the Bible and hopefully end with Awe. We are walking through the chronological events of Jesus' life and then thoughtfully considering them. It is meant to spur the devotional life of the Christian and the not-yet-Christian. We occasionally venture into the Old Testament when it helps our understanding of the New Testament events. Everybody has 7 minutes. Everybody needs to wonder. Be With Me is hosted by Michael Smith who has absolutely no special qualifications to do a podcast. He is not a pastor. He has not been to seminary. He does not lead a mega-church. He is not a professional and he has no more credentials than you do. He does, however, follow a great God with an observant eye and a curious heart. Each day, he starts with a study bible and aims for astonishment. ‘be with him’ for 7 minutes as he sets out daily to discover the God who invites us to ‘Be With Me.’
Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
DON’T let your betrayal be the last time we hear from you S28e177 Jn21:16
This one is so worth 7 ¾ minutes of your time.
The Lord is in the restoration business.
If Peter is not beyond saving from this situation, none of us are. But, this could have been the last time we heard from Peter. It was not.
Like Peter, DON’T let your betrayal be the last time we hear from you. Good plug to subscribe for more tomorrow.
https://youtu.be/Dp_ey7vQ6lk
Right Youtube: UCNijvDWAn2Wv2KFun2AnvCA
DON’T let your betrayal be the last time we hear from you S28e177 Jn21:16
Remember the betrayal of Peter. It was public. It was vehement. It was repeated. It was durable; over a significant amount of time. How do you fix something like that? How can it be restored? Watch Jesus work.
A Big betrayal requires a Big restoration
If Peter is not beyond saving from this situation, none of us are.****
The Story of Peter is given to offer you hope.
If we graphed out your spiritual walk, does it look like a steady, enduring, demonstration of faithfulness. Or does it have some ups and downs.
We just got done with the refusal to believe of THOMAS,
Lord ultimately granted him grace beyond what he EARNED (which is none)
Lord granted THOMAS grace beyond what he DESERVED (which was none)
The Lord is in the restoration business
How could He not be? What kind of people does He deal with?
Sinners, betrayers, Crucifiyers, sheep
Watch the Lord do this restoration business with Peter. Official verse:
John 21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love memore than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
Notice with me a couple of things:
Public. They are at breakfast with 7 disciples. Public problem. Public solution
Personal: Peter. I see you. I saw you. I’m here now to restore you.
PROCESS
This is not Peter’s first day in this repentance process.
Jesus doesn’t say to him as he does to some: forgiveness is available to those who come to me in repentance, sorrow, in grief. In brokenness
You may ask: where is the “I’m sorry”. Where is I have done wrong. I have betrayed you. I am not worthy of a relationship with you. I deserve wrath punishement. Please forgive me.
IMHO, we are already way past that . Peter has already done the hard work of repentance. He distinguishes himself here by coming full circle in this process.
IMAGINE knowing you played a direct role in the crucifixion of Jesus.—
That the crucifixion was “your fault” in a very direct way
That you could have done differently in a critical moment
That you would have done differently if you had it over again.
Luke 22: Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
He thought about it. He weeps. Matt says he wept BITTERLY—with agony
He is ashamed and runs. He went OUT(mt). He remembered what Jesus said. He remembered HOW Jesus said to him before the rooster…
He separates himself from Jesus.
Increases the distance between himself and Jesus
***This could have been the last time we heard from Peter***
This is not a bible 100% full of stories of rainbows and puppies.
For Judas the story ends with him running away. Separating.
THE STORY DOESN’t end there. Peter says, YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU
How does Jesus KNOW THAT Peter loves Him?????********
Peter comes BACK. Peter comes BACK
HE RUNS BACK. He returns to the upper room. He rejoins fellowship. Heruns to the tomb. He HURLS himself into the sea towards Jesus
PETER COMES BACK
Conclusion:
The Lord is in the restoration business
What is the worst you have done in opposition to God?
What is your worst sin? What are you most ashamed of?
Do we have a God big enough to fix even that?
Worse: do you have an issue which caused, maybe even directly, the crucifixion
Could God forgive that? Could God restore relationship?
Where could I find examples of the great great mercy of God?
What kind of betrayals, sins, does God forgive?
Here in the Bible: Peter has his really embarrassing story told for all. Why?
So his wonderful story of restoration can be an example for all.
Have you betrayed the Lord? Have you broken relationship? Sinned?
If so, you are in good company. –Peter, Thomas, Judas
You have the great example of great betrayal-fixing. Peter, Thomas
DON’T let your betrayal be the last time we hear from you****.
Like Peter, you WENT OUT. Increased the distance.
Of course you did. You are a SHEEP. This is what we do.
What did Peter do: the hard work of saying I’m wrong. The hard emotion of knowing he helped cause the crucifixion. The considering. The weeping.
The going out. The running away…
The story doesn’t end there, like it did for Judas. Judas doesn’t come back
DON’T let your betrayal be the last time we hear from you****.
Peter COMES BACK so can you. Come back!