Was there ever a time when you loved Jesus Christ more than you love Him today? Is He a shining reality in your heart? Or someone you think of from time to time? If you’re not growing, you’re going backward. If you’re feeling cold and indifferent, you need an overhaul.
Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ inner circle, at one time grew cold. In Luke 22, we see Simon needing an overhaul.
But he [Peter] said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
HOW DID PETER GET THERE?
Arguing when he should have been listening.
Jesus had told the disciples about His coming crucifixion, but Peter wouldn’t accept it, even when the Lord Himself told him (Matthew 16:22). Think about that! Arguing with Jesus!
Reading His Word, do you do the same?
Boasting when he should have been depending.
“Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death!” Peter had said. Jesus replied, “the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.”
Here’s Peter, naturally bold, depending on his own strength. Are you depending on your ability?
Sleeping when he should have been praying.
In Gethsemane, Jesus found His disciples—and Peter—sleeping. Are you sleeping when you should be seeking Him? Do you whisper a little prayer, then off you go, spiritually falling flat on your face?
Fighting rather than loving.
When he took up a sword against the high priest’s servant, Peter had the wrong enemy.
The devil loves to get people fighting people when the real enemy is Satan.
Wielding the wrong weapon.
Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. Our battle is against the powers of darkness. Nothing but divine power can overcome them.
Having the wrong attitude.
You can have holy indignation over sin, but beware of misguided, unbridled anger.
When the rooster crowed, a new day dawned for Peter. God will give your heart an overhaul, too, and restore the joy of Jesus if you surrender.
PETER LEARNED THREE THINGS:
Jesus’ sovereign control.
Peter thought things were out of control. Discouragement led to denial. Immediately, when the rooster crowed, Peter remembered Jesus’ words. Of all the roosters in Jerusalem that night, not one crowed except the one under Jesus’ control.
Your child became sick and didn’t recover. You asked God for a job and not yet gotten one. You prayed for a prodigal child, but he hasn’t come back. You say, “It’s not working.”
That doesn’t mean He isn’t. God is moving us to His purpose.
Jesus’ sympathetic compassion.
On His way to the cross, Jesus looked at backslidden Peter. He never stopped loving him. Maybe like Peter you’ve turned away from Him. God loves you too much to let you stay that way.
Jesus’ steadfast commitment.
“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail” (Luke 22:32). Jesus will never let you go (Hebrews 13:5).
He is in Heaven praying for you (Hebrews 7:25). God wants to give you a fresh beginning. A new day can dawn. But you can refuse His overhaul. Now it’s really up to you.
Make this your prayer:
Dear Lord, forgive my indifference, coldness, boastfulness, prayerlessness. I pray in the name of Jesus, may Your Holy Spirit work mightily in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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