Luke
22:31-34
“…I have prayed
for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when
once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
(Luke 22:32)
How would you
treat someone who was about to betray you?
Most would immediately distance themselves from that person, either in
anger or brokenness. Jesus did something
different. He offered
encouragement. Peter boldly committed
himself to defend Jesus, but his actions exposed an inability to follow
through.
“Once you have
turned back,” Jesus said to Peter, “strengthen your brothers.” The heaviness of what was about to unfold
surely burdened Jesus. He had tried to
prepare his disciples for his death, but they did not understand. Now, within hours of his crucifixion, as he
stood among friends who would soon forsake him, his response was
encouragement.
This tells us
more about Jesus than his betrayers. He
knew what Peter and the others would do in their darkest hours, but he also knew
there was something in them that would blossom and grow post-resurrection. He believed in what they could
become.
Amidst bold
proclamations of faith, Jesus knows our actions don’t always live up to our
words of commitment. Yet, he still sees
what we can become and he still encourages…”I have prayed for you that your
faith may not fail.” Thanks be to God
for His unspeakable gift!
Prayer: Your
mercy and grace extend even when I betray you, Lord. Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Jim
Abernathy
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