Lent Day 29: Two Kinds of Gratitude (John 18:18,25-27)
Lent Day 29
Two Kinds of Gratitude
John 18:18,25-27
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, "You aren't one of his disciples too, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not."
26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the garden?"
27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
◇ Peter had sworn never to betray Jesus. Yet, he denied knowing Jesus three times, cursing as he did so. This must have been a moment Peter wished he could erase from his life. Reflecting on Peter's actions brings to mind two reasons for gratitude.
One is that Jesus never denied knowing us. It would be truly horrifying if Jesus had denied being the Nazarene or knowing his disciples in front of the high priests.
The other reason is that Jesus embraced Peter even after he had denied Him three times. The resurrected Jesus went to find Peter, who had gone back to fishing in his hometown. He asked Peter three times if he loved Him and told him to "Feed my sheep." Jesus reinstated Peter as a disciple and gave him a mission.
If Jesus had denied us, we would still be living hopelessly as slaves to sin. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is with us to correct our missteps and guide us back to the right path when we stray from God's will. Lord, we are grateful!
♧ Lord Jesus, thank you for not denying us and for forgiving us, embracing us, and entrusting us with a mission. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth! Amen.
Two Kinds of Gratitude
John 18:18,25-27
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, "You aren't one of his disciples too, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not."
26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the garden?"
27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
◇ Peter had sworn never to betray Jesus. Yet, he denied knowing Jesus three times, cursing as he did so. This must have been a moment Peter wished he could erase from his life. Reflecting on Peter's actions brings to mind two reasons for gratitude.
One is that Jesus never denied knowing us. It would be truly horrifying if Jesus had denied being the Nazarene or knowing his disciples in front of the high priests.
The other reason is that Jesus embraced Peter even after he had denied Him three times. The resurrected Jesus went to find Peter, who had gone back to fishing in his hometown. He asked Peter three times if he loved Him and told him to "Feed my sheep." Jesus reinstated Peter as a disciple and gave him a mission.
If Jesus had denied us, we would still be living hopelessly as slaves to sin. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is with us to correct our missteps and guide us back to the right path when we stray from God's will. Lord, we are grateful!
♧ Lord Jesus, thank you for not denying us and for forgiving us, embracing us, and entrusting us with a mission. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth! Amen.